Kiwis on Mars: This shot was taken by the Nasa rover, Curiosity.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sideswipe/news/article.cfm?c_id=702&objectid=10837931
Author: Craig
Waiter, there’s a seagull in my latte
They are the scavengers of the sky, and now they are dining out at the expense of Mount Maunganui’s cafe scene.
Menacing seagulls are dive-bombing al fresco customers, knocking over coffees and defecating on cafe patrons.
Cafe Cabana barista Luke Edmond said staff at the Marine Parade eatery replaced coffees and meals about three times a week because of birds swooping in and causing chaos.
“Just the other day one of our regulars was sitting down here drinking a bowl latte.
“The bird actually landed in the bowl, flew up and pooed on her. And of course when it spread its wings to fly away, it flicked coffee on everyone else in the area,” he said.
The cafe replaced six coffees and four meals.
$30m Bioreactor a World First
The new bioreactor facility at the Wairakei Power Station near Taupo. Photo / Jeremy Bright
A one-of-a-kind new water treatment facility near Taupo is using gas-gobbling bacteria and 378km of underground pipes to clean Waikato River water.
While it may make a fabulous water feature, Wairakei Power Station’s new bioreactor is a serious piece of industrial plant, and a world first.
It uses sulphur-oxidising bacteria to reduce the levels of hydrogen sulphide in the power station’s cooling water.
The $30 million bioreactor was commissioned in July and formally opened yesterday at Wairakei with a blessing from Rev Sonny Garmonsway of Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa (the Maori Anglican Church) and Ngati Tuwharetoa.
The bioreactor’s follows years of trials and a 12-month construction project.
Spring
Yes there is no doubt about it… Spring has definately arrived! The garden is starting to burst forth…
Camillia
Rosemary and Camillia
Manuka (Tea Tree)
Darling Buds of “May”
Well, since we are in the southern hemisphere, spring officially starts on 1st September…
However, our plum tree certainly thinks that spring is here!
Explore 360-degree ‘Street View’ on Mars
Explore 360 – degree “Street View” on Mars
NASA has released a 360-degree panoramic view of Mars that anyone with an internet connection can navigate.
The Mars Curiosity Rover captured the 360 panoramic view using its navigation cameras.
White Island Erupts: Tongariro Calms Down
Scientists have confirmed that White Island has erupted and continues to blast ash into the air, indicating the start of a new phase of volcanic activity on the island.
However, as White Island produces a series of eruptions, Mt Tongariro appears to be quieting down.
Lightning seen around erupting White Island
Flashes of lightning have been reported coming from White Island as the volcano continues to erupt since Sunday.
Mt Tongariro Eruption: NASA Image
NASA has released an image of the ash plume stretching out from Mt Tongariro shortly after it erupted on Monday night.
The central North Island volcano erupted at 11.50pm, the first time in more than 100 years.
Mt Tongariro Eruption: Code Red
A huge ash cloud is covering the central North Island as Mt Tongariro erupts for the first time in more than a century.
Roads were closed, flights disrupted and nearby residents have been advised to stay indoors as ash and rock spews from the mountain.
The volcanic alert level for Mt Tongariro has risen from 1 to 2, while the aviation colour code has been raised to red.
Screw Pile Developments 