Autumnal Auckland

Auckland city centre from the fort on North head. Devonport in foreground.

Auckland Harbour Bridge from Birkenhead ferry wharf - evening.

Rangitoto volcanic cone from Maungawhau ( Mount Eden ) volcanic cone Auckland.

A plaque on Mount Eden expresses an attitude fading now in human beings everywhere except among the power elite of most corporations and nations. How telling the last phrase.

During the land taming period early 20th century city fathers created this delightful glass house in the Auckland Domain - the Wintergarden - to suspend the seasons for at least some flowers.

                                                                                                                                                              This mini Crystal Palace survived the Great Auckland exhibition of 1913 till today.

                                                                                                                                                               This Neoclassical dame fixes a funereal gaze on the Wintergarden pond. A marked contrast to the lively blooms inside the giant glasshouse that she is so balefully guarding.

The interior of the glasshouse dominated by a myriad of different types of Chrysanthemums.

It is an experience that explains why the Japanese Emperors made it their royal flower.

An indoor pond is graced with water lillies and overhung with carniverous blooms.

                                                                                                                                                                    The image of a white water bloom is reminiscent of a Chinese scroll painting.

Another scroll - Autumn from my bedroom window - the harbour beyond.