Day 2 on the Milford Track
The day began with a slightly overcast sky but with
plenty of blue spots showing through the clouds. It turned out this was
our very best day for weather and for enjoying the beauty of this area.
The water in the Clinton River is so clear we saw many good sized trout and
several eels in pools along the way.
The forest is primarily a southern beech rain forest
that includes three species of beech and a wide variety of other trees including
southern rata, kamahi, rimu, totara. fuschia, ribbonwood, and tree ferns.
There were few flowers at this time, though the Mt. Cook lilies (ranunculus)
stood out for their size. In clearings were acres of red tussocks and miscellaneous
scrub bushes.
Our views of the mountains to our side and ahead constantly
changed as the clouds moved and shifted, permitting the sun to pick up different
shades and tones, revealing new faces, new images. Though we hiked steadily,
the lure of a new scene was too strong to keep a constant pace. We took lots
of pictures that day.
