Tihia

Rotopounamu from Tihia

In my last post I mentioned Tihia.  It is a small mountain behind our place at Pukawa.  From its top is one of the best views in NZ, to say nothing of on the way up. It has great podocarps at the bottom, red beech further up and snowgrass on top - just right for the view which encompasses Lakes Taupo, Rotopounamu, Otamangakau and Rotoaira.  You also see the Kaimanawas, Mts Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, Pihanga, Kakaramea and Tauhara.  I've climbed it a few times.

Ngauruhoe

Rotoaira and Ruapehu from Tihia

Old Kawaka on Tihia

On Tihia

Up here on Tihia

shrubs incline to the east

not because it's morning

but because the wind

blows from the west

and I lean towards you

as wind brushes

over tussock

we watch a hind

spring through scrub

a fawn hidden

beneath our feet.