Open for Criticism

OK so strictly speaking, posting this photo today is kinda cheating as I definitely did not take it today, but I did bite the bullet this morning and submit three pics, this being my favourite, for critique at MPS club night this coming Tuesday.
I already know that my photos are nowhere near the standard of those who 'win' the competitions, but you've got to start somewhere, right? And feedback and feedforward is always good.
That said I will always love this photo of Lily regardless. I love the way she is looking straight through the lens at me.

A Job Well Done

The weather was decidedly iffy today for my school's annual Cross Country, but I guess the occasion calls for a degree of inclemency. Fortunately, the actual rain held off until the completion of the final event.
Another great sports day, where all children competed in and completed the challenge. I only saw one lot of tears at the end this year!
The main photo is one of our chief organisers, Erna. Thanks to her and her team the Cross Country ran (no pun intended) like a well oiled machine. I dare say the 'Finish' sign in the background is rather symbolic of how she was feeling at the time the photo was taken - 20 to 3, at the conclusion of the event

She made it!

OK I promise this will be the last Monarch Butterfly post. I'll admit I childishly obsessed with them. A hard promise to keep too, with 3 more lovely green chrysalis' attached to my brickwork and another fat caterpillar waiting to morph into one.

But tonight this lovely creature was sitting atop my wee swan plant, the remains of her encasement  evidence of her escape.

Truth be known again I cannot be certain this is 'the one', as the chrysalis below was also empty tonight.

But I am just grateful that, after watching it for so long, the tenuous little caterpillar-eaten twig did manage to stay intact and a miracle butterfly did emerge.

Karissa Mae

So here she is, the little bundle of Majurey joy who was still happily ensconced in her Mummy's tum on Friday when I visited.

Thanks for inviting me to meet her Linda - you all look so relaxed, content and happy.

Long may that atmosphere reign!

Show Your Best Side, Mother Nature

Enough of these earthquakes, tsunami, storms and tornadoes.

Make more rainbows Mother Nature, they are far more becoming!

More Big News

Musing...

How long do you think this story will play out for? 

A long time I would imagine. Or I imagine the media will hope it will be a long time.

There'll probably be sensationalized prospects of further revenge, with the media are adding more blood to the water to feed the frenzy. 

Stir it up and the story'll last longer.

Personally I preferred it when we were over-saturated with the Royal Wedding.

At least that was a 'good' good news story.

Come spring...

Spring is my favourite season of the year. Temperature still a bit astringent, skies lightening, new hope and hopefully, new growth.
Come spring I hope that the new garden will have established itself, and making a better show than it currently can, what with the existing plants being all hacked back and the new plantings still fledgling. Even the annuals I have planted will take a while to grow and show, especially against the colour of the most excellent home made pittosporum mulch.
But I am so much happier living here, if just to be able to look out the doors and see something purposeful and pleasant. Makes me miss my Tauranga house a little less, and dulls the pain of just spending a grand to tidy up bits and pieces there!
Now to save for new outdoor furniture here!