a prehistoric morning

Larnarch Castle / Dunedin, New Zealand
Due to jet lag having just flown from New York City into Dunedin at the southern tip of the South Island, I was wandering the lush grounds of Larnarch Castle where we were staying at 4:30am - just as the sun was beginning to rise. Combined with a soft flash, it cast a beautiful light on these unfamiliar, almost prehistoric looking, flora. The native flora to New Zealand is rich and unique having evolved in isolation for millions of years and because of this, the majority has a very distinctive look about it. Over 80% of New Zealand's native plants and trees are endemic meaning that they grow there and nowhere else in the world. Although few have showy flowers, the variety of foliage color, texture, and shape is unsurpassed.