20 February 2023

Ten members attended our first meeting for 2023. The speaker was KRMB member Desiree Heald, who presented photographs of flora and fauna taken during a recent trip to New Zealand over Christmas in the mid-January period, during which she visited a number of regions.

Her photos showed many kinds of insects, including beetles, long-legged flies and one of a New Zealand Dobsonfly (Archichauliodes diversus) that excited Daniel. Other photos showed a Katydid, a Long-legged Caddisfly moth, a Giraffe Weevil and a Giant Bush Dragonfly. Desiree then showed photos of a Powelliphanta, a carnivorous snail. Some species can grow as large as a man’s fist and suck up earthworms like spaghetti. They are found on the South Island in Haast and Fiordland National Park.

Desiree also showed some photos of New Zealand birds, including a Variable Oystercatcher, a Tui and some Penguins. There were also some introduced birds, European Sparrows, Black Swans, Canadian Geese, and Indian Ringneck. Flora from the Mt. Cook area included the Mountain Daisy and Common Columbine. Other flora included the Goose Grass (a sedge) and Flax (Phormium sp.), Spaniard Grass from Mt Cook and the Leather Leaf Fern (that has an unusual leaf structure for a fern).

There were also some images from the countryside where the Lord of the Rings was filmed. These showed some areas of beautiful rainforest. Other photos showed fungi, scenic shots, the Waitomo Caves, Glow Worms, a geyser at Tupui, Sea Lions at Sampson Bay, plus a Tuatara (a lizard).

It was obvious that Desiree had a great holiday and saw many of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Fortunately, the heavy rainfall event did not impact her trip until the very end, when she had to fly from Wellington to Auckland instead of taking a train. The audience thanked Desiree for her interesting and enjoyable presentation.

Colin Prickett