Not Snæfellsjökull. Asian Paper Wasp, Polistes chinensis, on Foeniculum vulgare, Wild Fennel, Puketutu Island, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand
Jetlag played a trick on my mind, and I dreamt of the great Volcano Story (1864) by Jules Verne (1828-1905) and the dangerous animals encountered by shy Axel Lidenbrock and his intrepid uncle Otto during their journey to the centre of the earth down from the extinct glacier-volcano on Iceland, Snæfellsjökull. I, though, was all but trapped in a drably modern hotel in an industrial park near Auckland Airport.
But the early morning light brought to my attention in the distance a hill. Of course it was Puketutu, extinct volcano on an island of the same name in Manukau Harbour, connected to the mainland by a causeway. So obviously I forewent a stop-over foray into Auckland City and set out instead for a nice hike after lots of asphalt.
The inset shows a view of the island at the end of that causeway. The vegetation is marvellously New Zealandic; through the plants on the right you can just see the gentle rise of Puketutu. But try as I might I couldn't get to the top. The island is either a working stone quarry - quite dangerous in parts - or a very private housing estate strictly forbidden to the public. I did climb some gates and fences, smooth as well as barbwired, and clambered too over rocks where the perimeter tracks end. But then gave up, and couldn't journey downward. Hadn't the stamina of the Lidenbrocks, it would seem.
Instead, I adventured a bit in the multitudinous patches of Wild Fennel.
No, it's not a plant endemic to New Zealand but was introduced here by settlers or perhaps earlier by sailors. It thrives happily on this volcanic rock. Here's where I saw another non-native of New Zealand, this handsome Asian Paper Wasp - at least, if I'm not mistaken. Internet is not very good here, so I can't be completely certain. But In Jules Verne's times they went without that device, so why should I withhold from you, my Readers, what might be speculation?
Not Snæfellsjökull. Asian Paper Wasp, Polistes chinensis, on Foeniculum vulgare, Wild Fennel, Puketutu Island, Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand
Jetlag played a trick on my mind, and I dreamt of the great Volcano Story (1864) by Jules Verne (1828-1905) and the dangerous animals encountered by shy Axel Lidenbrock and his intrepid uncle Otto during their journey to the centre of the earth down from the extinct glacier-volcano on Iceland, Snæfellsjökull. I, though, was all but trapped in a drably modern hotel in an industrial park near Auckland Airport.
But the early morning light brought to my attention in the distance a hill. Of course it was Puketutu, extinct volcano on an island of the same name in Manukau Harbour, connected to the mainland by a causeway. So obviously I forewent a stop-over foray into Auckland City and set out instead for a nice hike after lots of asphalt.
The inset shows a view of the island at the end of that causeway. The vegetation is marvellously New Zealandic; through the plants on the right you can just see the gentle rise of Puketutu. But try as I might I couldn't get to the top. The island is either a working stone quarry - quite dangerous in parts - or a very private housing estate strictly forbidden to the public. I did climb some gates and fences, smooth as well as barbwired, and clambered too over rocks where the perimeter tracks end. But then gave up, and couldn't journey downward. Hadn't the stamina of the Lidenbrocks, it would seem.
Instead, I adventured a bit in the multitudinous patches of Wild Fennel.
No, it's not a plant endemic to New Zealand but was introduced here by settlers or perhaps earlier by sailors. It thrives happily on this volcanic rock. Here's where I saw another non-native of New Zealand, this handsome Asian Paper Wasp - at least, if I'm not mistaken. Internet is not very good here, so I can't be completely certain. But In Jules Verne's times they went without that device, so why should I withhold from you, my Readers, what might be speculation?