Slow season

It's been the warmest May on record this year, so it's not surprising that the exotic trees are slow to shed their leaves. This magnificent oak tree stands in Awhitu Regional Park, on the site of the first European settler's house. It's been shedding its foliage from the top down . . .

. . . leaving a circle of crisp leaves on the ground beneath, dry enough to tumble in.
Meanwhile, the native trees are green-leafed and enjoying the rain. This old puriri stands in the same grounds.

And it sheds its beautiful pink flowers on to the ground beneath. They stand out brightly on the tree itself, contrasting with the green.

Two cultures stand side by side in this land. I love them both.