Friday Feathered Friend
Words and picture by Louise Thomas.
"I used to avoid posting photos where I had accidentally captured a nictitating membrane - I thought they looked like weird sausage-skin sideways eyelids. Then I read that they are amazing built-in bird goggles, so the bird can blink and still see, or even shutter their eyes in extreme conditions to protect their eyes while flying or diving. Apparently we used to have them too - the pink blob in the inner corner of our eyes is a vestigial membrane. I suppose we evolved out of needing them - still they might have been handy the other day when I was trying to take photos on the beach during a gale. Pūkeko/purple swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) at Waimanu Lagoon."
WAIKANAE NIGHT MARKET THIS FRIDAY
When:- Friday 27 February, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Waikanae Arts and Crafts Society Hall
27a Elizabeth St, Waikanae
Joyously made, locally hand crafted and wonderful preloved goodies:-
* Good quality Preloved Clothing
* New Clothing by a local designer
* Jewellery
* Hand made Bags
* Hand made Children's Dress-ups and Dolls Clothes
* Hand made Crochet Toys
* Hand made Cushions
* Upcycled and repurposed items including Furniture upcycled in a Shabby Chic style
* The Chimney Pot - Antiques & Collectables
* Collage Art
Bring the kids along!! They have not been forgotten!!
Don't miss it - Everyone Welcome!!
Support Local!!
Quote for the Day
"Economic forecasters fall into two groups: those who don't know - and those who don't know they don't know."
Kenneth Galbraith - eminent Canadian economist and diplomat
Cheers Mike
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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