Lake outlet, birds, pohutukawa, and the drop off!

Another lake, another day.  The weather was perfect, we went exploring. Normally we swim at the Steep St Reserve, at Lake Okereka.  Today we are walking to the other end, and swimming there.  Bridget, Peter, and Carenza joined us on this adventure.

 I can manage this type of walk, it is gentle, plenty of bird life, and great views along the way.

 The inital start of the walk was in manuka, and Tighe needed Toi Toi as his spear.

 Waterlilies have taken over this tranquil spot.

There are lots of bird life along the wooden broadwalk.  There are markers every 500 meters, so the children knew how much further they had to go.

I just focused on the pohutukawa flowering at the outlet, and hoped it wouldn't be too hot carrying all the provisions for a picnic.

There is plenty of flax on this journey.  Quinn and Tighe used old flower stems for swords and spears.

 There was plenty for urchins to explore and climb.

A spider's nest

 Still a few kilometers to go, and this wetland has lots of bird life.  There are signs advising of nesting swans.

Looking towards the outlet in the distance, where the bushline meets the farmland.

More flax

Tighe had never seen Canadian Geese before, so he enjoyed seeing the flocks on the marshland.

Pied Stilt?

The flowering flax attracted lots of tuis.

The reflection of the sky created unusual colours in the marshes which caught the attention of Tighe.

Black Swan and Canadian Geese

More birds for the bird watchers

Grasses and marsh plants

 In one spot, there was this soft white coating on the path and surrounding plants.  Initally I thought it was a ripe raupo flower, but this was different.  Perhaps the fluff was from a cottonwood tree?

 More flax in different stages of flowering and seed pods.

 I didn't enjoy being between a Mama swan and her cygnets.

 I dont know the name of this flower.  I have seen it in white in the Waikato, but pink was new to me.

 There were plenty of spiders' nests on this walk. 

 The flax is everywhere along the walkway.  Huge plants.

Clover

 Tighe and I needed a rest, and took in the view of the eastern side of the lake.

 At least we were nearly there, and the pohutukawa tree was getting closer.

 At one stage, the huge flax plants flanked the track on both sides, Tighe loved running through the leaves, and the fallen flower stems.

Shag waiting for a fish

We made it to Silver Beach, where the urchins decided to go swimming, and we had a little picnic on the grassy shore.

The drop off to the deep part of the lake was really close, and the urchins loved that.   As for me, the Pohutukawa was in full bloom, and the insects and birds were loving it.

Carenza liked to build in the sand on the shoreline.

Bridget

Once I managed to get the children out of the water, fed and watered them, we climbed some steps and ventured further towards the outlet of the lake.

Looking back to where we had been, plus Silver Beach

There were smaller pohutukawa bushes, and seats to rest, and an opportunity to enjoy the view.

The track became enclosed in bush, manuka and other natives until we got to the outlet.

We made it to the outlet.  A great place to explore, get wet, and have a picnic.

Quinn climbing around the rocks and water

Looking back towards the track and the bushwalk

Quinn and Tighe went off exploring the forested hill next to the outlet.

 Oscar, Anneke, and Carenza explored the outlet stream that flows to Lake Tawarewa.

Looking towards the other end of the lake to Steep St Reserve

The colours of the lake changed a lot on this walk.  Blues and greens.

 On the way back, the urchins had to have another swim at Silver Beach.  The drop off is their favourite.  They want to come back, just to jump off the drop off again.

 My legs were a little tired when we got back to the car.  The walk is easy, and I know we will do this again in the near future.