A night time Dragon Fly.

 A night time "dragonfly", otherwise known as the native antlion, scientific name Weeleus acutus. The adults are attracted to lights at night, and even though the species is widespread in NZ they are seldom seen. We were very fortunate that this one kept us company while we toasted marshmallows in the evenings at the Pureroa forest. A very elegant insect.

Whio, eels, and waterfalls - Pureora Forest

 Anniversary weekend spent down at Pureora Forest. The weather was perfect for a swim. The urchins decided the waterfall would be their swimming hole.

 I didn't tell them the eels were just to their left.

 Four whio flew to the right side of the waterfall.  These birds are endangered, and it is very special to see them up close, and share their habitat.

 Whio need fast running clean water, and there is plenty in abundance in Pureora Forest.

 Further downstream is a great swimming hole, and we spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the current and the cool water.

Moss flower

Took the Black fern turnoff, on the walk back to the car. Beautiful day in the forest.

Jump! - Because he can

Cave has gone - Pureora Forest

 Our plan was to visit the cave. It was no longer there.

 One or more trees had fallen into the ravine where the entrance was. Disappointing for the urchins.

Walking back to the car, along Ketemairangi Road.

Urchins battling with toitoi

This is what the cave looked like on our last visit.

Down bush - Pureora Forest

 One of the best things about camping down bush, is toasting the marshmallows in the evenings.

 Tess found these fabulous marshmallows. They are perfect for the fire.

 The marshmallow puffs up, and caramelises on the inside and is firm on the outside.

 I like the patterns the fire makes in the old washing machine inner

 One of the sides glowed red.

Ketemairangi - Pureora Forest

 Exploring and trail clearing today.  How far can we take the quad bikes up Ketemairangi Trail?

Several kilometres, but the bikes couldn't make it up the final steep bit to the summit.

Down bush - Trail clearing - Pureora Forest

 My trust red bands, perfect for bush exploring.

Our shelter for camping

 Tess and Glenn brought their feather children, and they explored the edge of camp.

 It is always handy having a chainsaw tied to the front of the quad bike. Today we are clearing a trail to the top of the ridge.

 This is a beautiful trail. There are plenty of large canopy trees, and ferns in the undergrowth.

 The toitoi showed us the way. This was an old logging trail at least 50 years ago.  The toitoi patches were the skid sites.

 We worked for several hours, clearing the trail up the hillside.  Trees had fallen over the old trail. At one stage, we built a "bridge" of old logs to get the quad bikes across a wet boggy area.

 We got as far as the Rimu trees, and the chainsaws ran out of battery.

 Stopped off at the waterfall to clean up before going back to camp.

 With all the rain, the river was up much higher than expected.

 Only saw 3 eels.

 I like how the pongas wear skirts.