New Zealand Landscape
European Gorse....An invasive species in New Zealand
My brother is a really good photographer. I love this picture he took in New Zealand! It’s one of those photos that draws you in. Grassy field and blue, blue sky. Very simple, yet so engaging. I long to walk on that smooth green grass. No, not walk…run really, really fast. I want to fly over the hill and see what’s on the other side (after I stop at the tree for a quick ID). The two girls in purple hats. One is just returning from adventure, one waits. They are separate, yet together. The line between earth and sky creates such a definite boundary. We see that rarely where I live…too many trees! I believe he told me that the movie The Hobbit was being filmed in this area. The second photograph below is a shrubby plant, yellow flowers against another bright blue New Zealand sky. I’m still working on the identity of the plant, can anyone beat me to it?
This looks like a gorse bush (Ulex) to me. It grows in profusion along the east coast of England (Ulex europaeus)… the more exposed and rockier the better! And the flowers are mid-late summer, which could be about right for New Zealand now… Hope I’ve helped!
Yes, I think you got it Cathy! I just discovered that gorse is considered a noxious weed in these parts and not at all welcome. Ulex europaeus (gorse) is a huge invasive in New Zealand as well, and millions of dollars are spent on controlling it. Thanks for the ID!
Elaine