Detail from the Pohangina River on Tuesday (23 December). If you look closely at the lower right-hand edge of the backlit triangle of water in the centre of the frame, you'll see several tiny dark shapes. They're flies of some sort — possibly crane flies, perhaps the remarkable net-winged midges (Blephariceridae), of which Aotearoa has eight described species and several more known but not yet described. By the same time the next day, all this would have been underwater.
All content © 2008 Pete McGregor
Reminds me of glacial rock in the Tetons. Why underwater? Rising flood?
ReplyDeleteZhoen, rain began that night, and persisted throughout the following day. I managed to check part of the river upstream from the hut, but turned back when the river was clearly starting to discolour and thigh-deep crossings were becoming too frequent. Back at the hut, waiting for the helicopter, I could see the river rising quickly, and by midday it was uncrossable. Our mountain rivers rise fast; fortunately, they fall just as fast when the rain stops, but too many people still try crossing instead of waiting.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you, D, and Moby for a great Christmas :^)
Kia ora Pete,
ReplyDeleteYour water photos of the Ruahines always grab me. I love the texture and shadows on the boulders. Who knows how long, and what storm brought them there? They almost have their own personalities. I too have seen that lovely river grow angry, a few others too! Were you able to actually do any surveying, and if so, any success? I am heading to Pohangina shortly for our annual Boxing Day gathering at Tara's uncles place just down the road from you. Might beep as I drive by! Will give you a ring to catch up in the next day or two.
Cheers,
Robb
Thanks Robb :^) It's such a good feeling to recognise bends in the river, particular slips, and individual boulders after a long absence. Like meeting friends again.
ReplyDeleteYes, I checked right up to about 3/4 of an hour above Kinvig; saw 5 whio, including a pair downstream from the mid Pohangina swingbridge. Another male further upstream might have been defending a nest, but I didn't want to disturb him or the nest by hunting too hard for it.
Be great to catch up. I'm around here, so give me a call.