Spring around Mt Dizzy

I think that the seasons change more slowly in New Zealand than they do in Michigan. They go about the business gradually.  And, it's rather confusing sometimes, because many of the plants here seem to go about their yearly schedules based on their own internal clocks, rather than the calender.   

There are certain signs though that tell me when a change is occuring. 

For spring, which arrives in New Zealand according to the calender on September 1st, the sign (to me)  is a tui feeding in the flowering kowhai trees.  

The tui I showed you in the header photo is in this picture, but he's hiding.  

Here are some loquats, the first fruits that appear in the spring, next to some oranges, still on the tree from last season, as they finish ripening. We like to leave our oranges on our tree as long as possible, just like this home owner is doing, because they continue to become sweeter as they hang.  

I don't know what this is, but it's impressive.  

I'm on top of Mt. Dizzy now. 

(This picture doesn't really fit with the others. I took it because it reminded me of past times.) 

I notice the 'windrows' of grass left by the grounds crew that mowed this area recently. They remind me of the windrows of hay that my father in law used to cut in his fields each year. 

When I first met Jeanne and visited the farm, haying and every other part of farming life was a mystery to me. Over time, I learned a lot though.

Today, as I looked at this, I thought of how I came to know what freshly cut hay felt like, how it changed as it dried, and the point at which it was ready to bale. I value that knowledge and those memories.) 

The view from Mt. Dizzy toward the Waitakere Range of hills.

This photo doesn't really fit my 'spring' theme either, but I noticed this little grouping as I walked past it and liked it. 'Cousin Itt,' from the original Addam's Family, (1964-'66)** came to mind.    

Welcome spring!                        -djf

** It's hard to believe that it was that long ago.