#rimu

RIMU

Another of the places we visited for the geology, or rather the paleontology, while we were visiting the Catlins.

Curio Bay (and some 20 kilometers of the coastline here) is the site of an 180 million-year-old petrified forest, once populated by trees closely related to the living Kauri (Agathis sp.) and Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla). The forests were buried in volcanic mudslides and debris at least four times, regrowing in the millennia inbetween, and the stumps and fallen trees have been beautifully preserved on the intertidal platform.

The intertidal platform had a delightful range of species as well. Such as this mussel living inside the hollow petrified stump of a Jurassic tree.

The area is also home to the largest surviving population of yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) but alas we missed seeing them coming ashore in the evening, despite heading to the viewing platform at dusk.

On the other side of the road a forest featuring as many plants as might have been found in the Petrified Forest when it was alive has been planted. At least these days it's unlikely to be buried in volcanic mud, unless something has gone extremely wrong.

Presenting the Aroha family! This family will be essential in "Chosen Family", their designs are in mind after 20 years later in the story, but their appearances are the same notheless :3 Their ages would go like this: Badger - 46 Oliver - 29 Kauri & Rimu - 28 Clover - 27 ... AND!

The Eicher Brothers! These are my own designs for Hickory and Dickory, with Dock added to the mix as my OC! Their ages go like this: Dickory - 32 Hickory - 26 Dock - 16

(1): Rumi and Jinu Saja together *Rujinu/Rimu*

(2): Mira, Romance Saja and Abby Saja together *Miromabby*

(3): Zoey and Mystery Saja together *Zoeystery*

(4): Zoey, Mystery Saja and Baby Saja together *Zoeysterby*

@true-justice