Welcome to The Country Road Blog

The Blue Duck and More
Thursday, 02 February 2012 07:52

Written by Mary Bielski

Recently our son Pete and his German girl friend Anna tramped into the Ruahines where they spotted a family of Blue Ducks on the upper Oroua River. It was quite a thrill for them both, especially for Anna, as it was the first time she had seen a Blue Duck. They watched them for sometime taking several photos and enjoying watching them swimming against the rapids. They noted that the adults were very protective of their young. They were difficult to spot because they were camoflagued against the rocks. It is great to know that the Blue Duck is surviving in its natural habitat and this has to be a result of the Blue Duck/Stoat Trap Project.

New Zealand's Tallest Kowhai Tree
Monday, 30 January 2012 14:06

Written by Katherine Huynh

The township of Feilding is known for its collection of kowhai trees where they live in Kowhai Park. Nearby in the Kitchener Park bush reserve is New Zealand's tallest kowhai tree.

Holiday Season
Sunday, 08 January 2012 21:14

Written by Paul Vandenberg

What to write about in the holiday season, when many of us travel to check someone else’s location, or just to get away, but do we just get away from the rat race or do we just enter someone else’s rat race?

My solution to getting out is exploring the bush, checking out the flora & fauna, yes I do visit other areas as there is always something different to check out, something unusual that we don’t have, but coming home is always a buzz, that feeling that you belong, the familiarity of your home, your own garden or your pets, sometimes we need familiarity to relax.