Biodiversity

I often go to Dunedin for many varied reasons, and one of the delights of every trip is a visit or two to the oldest botanical garden in New Zealand, which was established in 1863.

There are two parts of the Dunedin Botanic Garden, linked indiscernibly, known as the upper gardens and the lower gardens which merge nicely with the University of Otago campus. View Google Map

The initial garden was established on a site now occupied by the University but due to extensive flooding in 1868, the gardens were moved to their current site in 1869.

White rhododendron at the Dunedin Botanic Garden — **A *rhododendron* typical of the more naturalistic upper garden, where there is an arboretum, rhododendron dell, native plant and geographic collections.**

Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **There are over 6,800 plant species**

Dunedin Botanic Garden — *The Garden is a preferred location for serious botanical studies as it is* home to a significant number of plant collections

Garden worker at Dunedin Botanic Garden — **The resources dedicated to the Gardens are significant, yet unlike many similar gardens in large cities overseas such as in Vancouver, entry to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens is free**

Dunedin Botanic Garden, the roof of the Winter Garden Glasshouse — **The roof of the Winter Garden Glasshouse – open 10am to 4pm, with nearby alpine house and toilets 9am to 4pm, and the cafe 9.30am to 4.30pm**

Students studying in the Dunedin Botanic Gardens — Each University year Dunedin city hosts 40,000 plus students and with the Gardens in close proximity scenes like this are common place. In short they offer an immense and peaceful place for relaxation and study, while also providing pathways to North Dunedin where there are lots of student accomodation flats

Dunedin Botanic Garden - Peter Pan statue — **Peter Pan and is that Wendy whispering in his ear?**

Dunedin Botanic Garden decorative hedges

Dunedin Botanic Garden -Japanese shelter — **A feature of the flat lower Garden**

Fantails ofter frequent the Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **Fantails often frequent the Dunedin Botanic Gardens**

South African section of the upper Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **South African section of the upper Gardens**

The formal rose garden and camellia collection in the lower Dunedin Botanic Gardens — **The formal rose garden and camellia collection in the lower Gardens**

Last week I came across the above fantail /piwakawaka and as my camera was in my hand, I started stalking him/her with my lens, knowing full-well, like we all do, that these sweeties move about almost too fast for us limited humans.

But I got a good enough shot, and then I had the oddest feeling I was not alone and was being watched, so I took half a breath and realised the kereru was less than a meter from my nose.

The rest was history as they say, but look at the expression. It’s said these beautiful birds are dumb, but that was not what I saw…

Eventually my kereru friend decided to turn away prior to departure, but could not resist looking back for sometime with an air of indecision, or maybe even reluctance…

Back view of a NZ kereru / wood pigeon at Dunedin Botanical Gardens

One of favourite piwakawaka photos taken in red beech forest in Mt Aspiring National Park…

Piwakawaka / fantail in red beech forest in Mt Aspiring National Park

If you happen to be interested in purchasing an image please note which one and email Donald so he can process the various options, and advise you with a link when completed

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Category: Biodiversity

The Dunedin Botanic Garden

The story of an astute kereru (NZ wood pigeon) and a myopic photographer