Clematis Spotting

This afternoon was such a nice sunshine, that we decided to go for our favourite Matauri Bay Scenic drive to hunt for some native clematis views. We didn't see big white patches as in years before, but we spotted some plants with smaller flowers. I was now looking up information about it  http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/new-plant-page/native-clematis.html  and learned that they were possibly female plants which have smaller flowers.

I discovered the first one near Te Ngaire Bay

and Alex remembered a big patch near Mahinepua

zoomed in

We saw quails on the way to and from Mahineapua beach

and lots of kingfishers

the 3rd one just flew away when I pushed the button

I always love this view on the way 

New were 5 emus nearby, I tried to take photos but they turned out all very blurry

It was raining when we came to Whangaroa, but the tide was out and we saw spoon bills and lots of herons and oyster catchers

On the way home we made a little detour to Puketi Forest - gravel road the first time with the new car!

Well thats how a black car looks after