Panmure Basin, also sometimes called the Panmure Lagoon, is a 1.5 km wide tidal estuary within a volcanic crater in Auckland's Volcanic Field. The last eruption was recorded about 18,000 years ago. It is just a few minutes drive from where my sister lives, so we decided to go there one morning and walk around before doing the grocery. The walkway is a fitness trail, very well developed for families with their pets along. There is also a skate park and Lagoon Fitness Center. Records say it is just a 30 minute walk, but of course, with my camera in hand triple it and it might not be enough. There are also benches on some locations, giving easy accomodation for my sister while waiting for me to finish shooting.
The Trees
Pohotukawa (
Metrosideros excelsa) trees are found anywhere in Auckland. It is endemic there and can live on rock crevices even with little topsoil. It is also called New Zealand Christmas trees because it blooms simultaneous with the Season.
Flower buds start as whitish that eventually produces a brilliant display of red flowers.
the starting flower buds
This is a very big tree that i failed to know the identity, but someone in Australia in the comments says it is a plane tree. Yes it is, though the true identity is difficult for me to know. (Thanks Stewart)
The Walk
Nice benches like the above are scattered on sidewalks, a convenience for everyone who needs some time to just sit and appreciate the view, or already tired of walking and needs a breather.
view of the lagoon
There are also birds both on the trees and on the lagoon sides looking for food. The above is a White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae).
Southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus Lichtenstein, 1823)
Residential Landscape
There are residential houses around the lagoon. It is also nice to look at the different landscape designs of these homes.
The residents of the above house definitely encourage those wild duck to be waiting there, conditioned to receive food rations. Only very few ducks were left on the other side of the lagoon, as they were all here, expecting their food.
aloes growing intensively and well, already growing out of the fence for more light
the above is a well maintained landscape
Those towering old palms give this area the Mediteranean look, however the fenced sides didn't allow the walkers to peep into the garden landscape
the grassy lawns as public property connected to the lagoon are very well maintained as well
The Plants and Flowers
Aloe
Narcissus
Lilies
a collage of some beautiful flowers around Panmure Basin
