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Wordless Wednesday
covid19
The Changing Seasons, March 2020
A moment of reflection. Spider monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020Welcome to the third fourth attempt I’ve made to write this Changing Seasons post.
It’s not that there is nothing to say about March 2020; just that I’m still trying to process an extraordinary 31 days that began with a visit to Auckland Zoo and ended with me spending an entire day trying to buy groceries (to be fair, I was shopping for two households).
Standing in a queue that snaked around the supermarket car-park, I caught a tiny glimpse of what everyday life must have been like for older friends and family members who lived through World War II rationing, or in the Communist regimes of Eastern Europe. The difference is that when I reached the front of the queue, there was still food to buy — and at a price I could afford.
It’s been just over a month since the first case of Covid 19 was reported in Aotearoa New Zealand. Even though we’d watched and read about what was happening overseas, life carried on in much the same rhythm for most of us for another couple of weeks.
But March has been a month of two halves; and all of a sudden, the number of new cases each day began to rise alarmingly, our borders were closed to all but returning nationals, and finally on March 26 the nation was placed under a four week rahui (1)
My thoughts about this extraordinary situation are muddled and constantly changing, so instead of inflicting my confusion upon you, I am simply going to share photos from the slightly less weird part of the month — when visits to the zoo and community fun days were still possible and normal.
The Stillwater Raft Race was held on March 17th; a reminder of how small communities are so good at getting together and having fun. T and I stumbled upon this accidentally, thinking we’d just go for a quiet walk along the estuary path.
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Both T and I largely grew up in Auckland, so zoo visits have been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Today’s zoo, with its emphasis on animal welfare and involvement in several conservation projects, is a world away from our horrible memories of bears and big cats endlessly pacing small cages.
The latest project is a South East Asian Jungle Track — a massive new development that is providing a more natural high canopy habitat for orangutan and siamangs, with further developments for tigers, otters, crocodiles and other Asian reptiles. It was due to open about now, but as the zoo is also under rahui, the animals are able to explore their new home without human visitors.
Inland Bearded Dragon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Inland Bearded Dragon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Red-tailed black cockatoo. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Red-tailed black cockatoo. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Squirrel monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Squirrel monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Lion, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Flamingo, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Flamingo, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Hamadryas baboon; adult male and juvenile. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Male Hamadryas baboon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Female Hamadryas baboon. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Not posing for the camera at all? Male Hamadryas baboon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Female Hamadryas baboon. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Spider monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
And now, with my horizons narrowed for at least a few weeks, I treasure and enjoy my garden even more.
Kakabeak (clianthus maximus). Grown from seed and looking stronger every day. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Kowhai seedlings (Sephora microphylla). Reforesting NZ one roasting dish full of plants at a time. Image: Su Leslie 2020
And still we have tomatoes. Su Leslie 2020About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Update
Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani
Pauline at Living in Paradise
Marilyn at Serendipity Seeking intelligent life on Earth
Darren at The Arty Plantsman
Sarah at Art Expedition
Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind
Brian at Bushboy’s World
Tish at Writer on the Edge
Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful
- Rahui is a Maori word which means to put in place a temporary ban or restriction on an area, resource, stretch of water — or in this case a nation of people. It is a form of protection, and seems like a much kinder and more positive word than “lock-down.”
Rahui, rather than lockdown
Fern frond; symbol of new life and new possibilities. Image: Su Leslie 2019
I read a few days ago a suggestion that instead of referring to our current situation as a lock-down, we could perhaps use the Maori word Rahui.
Rahui (raa·hoo·ee): to put in place a temporary ritual prohibition, closed season, ban, reserve – traditionally a rāhui was placed on an area, resource or stretch of water as a conservation measure or as a means of social and political control … (Maori Dictionary)
Language matters. How we describe our situation affects how we feel about it. Rahui embodies a believe that restrictions now will make for a better future. That’s a lot easier for me to get behind than a term that belongs in the language of incarceration.
PS: apologies for my lateness with The Changing Seasons. I’m sure I’m not the only one finding this a difficult month to write about.
Silent Sunday
Midday, and no traffic on the Greenhithe Bridge. Image: Su Leslie 2020
How can I prepare for these hug-less days?
From midnight tomorrow I won’t be able to see my darling boy-child for at least four weeks. No hugs for four weeks, so I’ll have to enjoy memories and reminders of hugs past — at least for now.
Zimmerbitch 