DSC_2094 Petrified forest. Some of the fossil trees here are related to the modern kauri and Norfolk Island pine, and they and the associated plant impressions have been dated as middle Jurassic, about 160 million years old. These fossilised trees are in green sandstones, alternating with blue shaly clays containing plant impressions. Silica has replaced the entire woody structure of the trees and rendered them extremely resistant to erosion by waves along the shore platform. Curio Bay, Waikawa Coast *
DSC_0386 Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) forest canopy in early morning sunlight. Mount Hercules, South Westland *
DSC_0378 Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) looking up trunks in an area of windfall, with forest canopy in early morning sunlight. Mount Hercules, South Westland *
