Friday Feathered Friend
Words and picture by Louise Thomas.
"I used to avoid posting photos where I had accidentally captured a nictitating membrane - I thought they looked like weird sausage-skin sideways eyelids. Then I read that they are amazing built-in bird goggles, so the bird can blink and still see, or even shutter their eyes in extreme conditions to protect their eyes while flying or diving. Apparently we used to have them too - the pink blob in the inner corner of our eyes is a vestigial membrane. I suppose we evolved out of needing them - still they might have been handy the other day when I was trying to take photos on the beach during a gale. Pūkeko/purple swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) at Waimanu Lagoon."
Summer on the South Coast
Summer is here again! Fantastic weather beckoning all to get out and enjoy it.
So my request is, if you are cycling, running, walking on our beautiful south coast roads between Breaker Bay and Ohwiro Bay - please be courteous to all road users, even those of us stuck in cars.
The roads are scenic, but they are also narrow, with lots of blind corners. This makes it very difficult for faster moving traffic (cars) to pass slower moving traffic (cycles, walkers, runners). On a bad day this can result in frustrated cars making rash decisions to overtake - putting everyone in danger.
If you are enjoying the coast road on a cycle, and there are cars behind you, please do be considerate and pull over when you have a chance so that they can pass. "Hugging the left" does not really help on a narrow road with blindspots. Stopping is ideal.
If you are enjoying coast on foot, please be conscious of visibility and stay off the road where possible.
If you are enjoying the coast in a car, please be courteous to others - good will spreads, unfortunately so does selfishness.
Lastly - everyone watch out for penguins, they were here first but they don't read Neighbourly or road signs.
Happy and Safe summer everyone.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.2% Yes
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22.4% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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