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The Annual Tree Octopus Hunt
The annual expedition in search for the elusive antipodean tree octopus took place in the Oamaru Gardens today. It's a fun steampunk event starting with a splendid (a very steampunk adjective) picnic and tea, then armed with a list of clues we ventured forth in search of octopodes. Why yes, that is the correct plural, the word being Greek rather than Latin.
We had to follow cryptic clues taking us all around the gardens answering questions on our forms and keeping an eye out for Octavia and the more rarely seen Septimus. Our team found them both, plus a third unnamed plushy. It was a fun day, but very hot and humid; I admired the fortitude of those sporting more elaborate and heavier regalia than I did.
Music for our picnic in and around the rotunda was provided by this chap with his gramophone.
And here he is posing with his gramophone and portrait of Kitchener, whom he resembles.
An awe-inspiring sight: Octavia in a large weeping elm
We discovered Septimus lurking in the fernery. There was also a small blue plush octopus in the vicinity, I assume to be called Sextus.
Post-expedition tea; there is always tea
A hunter with his blunderbus. It's made of a real rifle stock, a pipe from a bicycle frame, and part of a brass lamp, and was damned splendid, by Jove!
Two other chaps discussing the relative merits of their weapons
A few of the intrepid explorers relaxing on the lawn after their exertions
We had to follow cryptic clues taking us all around the gardens answering questions on our forms and keeping an eye out for Octavia and the more rarely seen Septimus. Our team found them both, plus a third unnamed plushy. It was a fun day, but very hot and humid; I admired the fortitude of those sporting more elaborate and heavier regalia than I did.
Music for our picnic in and around the rotunda was provided by this chap with his gramophone.
And here he is posing with his gramophone and portrait of Kitchener, whom he resembles.
An awe-inspiring sight: Octavia in a large weeping elm
We discovered Septimus lurking in the fernery. There was also a small blue plush octopus in the vicinity, I assume to be called Sextus.
Post-expedition tea; there is always tea
A hunter with his blunderbus. It's made of a real rifle stock, a pipe from a bicycle frame, and part of a brass lamp, and was damned splendid, by Jove!
Two other chaps discussing the relative merits of their weapons
A few of the intrepid explorers relaxing on the lawn after their exertions
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Your gramophone gent had a very splendid pot plant. Coleus or begonia... Thinking minds want to know.
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https://fthmb.tqn.com/qB7rDG9NYiHvEFkJt-TLTs6td0Q=/960x0/filters:no_upscale()/Rex-Begonias-5995bbe2af5d3a0010e7a16e.jpg
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Orphaned octopodes will either perish*, or out of desperation resort to eating animal flesh, as they lack the adult digestion enabling them to survive on leaves, cambium, buds, flowers and fruit.
Carnivorous Arboreal Octopodes grow rapidly and soon become too heavy for trees. At this point they descend and wander onto roadways and canals, causing congestion and vehicular accidents.
* The adults produce Octomilk from a specialized tentacle.
If you come across an orphaned octopode do not feed it meat!
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Christchurch did have traffic problems with Elizabeth the elephant seal (see article here, photo of her on the road here. She was a beloved personality, though best given a wide berth, and Greg, who grew up in Avondale by the river, remembers her.
[edited for photo link that didn't work]
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Elizabeth was awesome.
I just had to google to see elephant seals in motion on this BBC short video. SO amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpT1u2lFkXs
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Septimus isn't missing a leg, is he?
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