Colorful lupine bloom at Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is the second largest of three roughly parallel lakes located between north and south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand's South Island. The lake is a real photographer's dream, with mountains and snow-capped peaks, a turquoise blue lake and a charmingly beautiful little church. Every year from mid-November to December, the beauty is enhanced by the colorful blooms of the lupins.

(Total 21 photos)

1. Russell's lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) is an exotic plant that can grow up to 1.5 meters in height. This is a permanent variety, the seeds are planted in summer, dying off for the winter, only to reappear the following summer.

2. Russell lupins have long, colorful flower heads.

3. Flowers are like peas and have many colors - blue, purple, orange, yellow, pink, white, or a mixture of two colors.

4. The leaves, divided into processes, resemble the fingers on the hand. The robust seed heads ripen and explode in the summer heat, releasing many dark brown seeds.

5. Russell's lupins were planted in 1950 by Connie Scott at Godley Peak when the seed was scattered along the sides of the main highway. These tall thorns now grow in abundance along many roadsides, open areas around villages, and throughout the Mackenzie scenic area. The variety of colors makes the stunning area of Lake Tekapo a photographer's paradise.

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