Blue Hour on Te Waihora

I walked out across the mudflats to the first maimai (a local name for a duck shooting hide) on Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora tonight to capture this shot looking out to the alps. The air was heady with bird calls (pied stilts, pukekos, oystercatchers, terns, white faced herons and the rest) as well as the heavy wingbeats of black swans on landing and take-off.

It's been a day of accomplishments today; our fabulous chainsaw wielding neighbour made a visit with his tools to fell three of our eucalyptus trees which have been interfering with the line of sight to our satellite internet connection. Needless to say Mrs H and myself are tonight enjoying the best signal (and fewest dropouts) we've had for sometime.

That's right; we fixed the internet with a chainsaw. And I thought seeing the twelve Google Loons over Christchurch last night was neat.

Talking of yesterday, Dramfest was fantastic. If you're a fan of a dram or two (hey, why stop there) I can't recommend it highly enough. Great atmosphere, stunning malts.

All in all a top weekend. Back to reality tomorrow then? Maybe a nip of The Glenlivet 18 year old might help....