We were out shopping at Barrington Mall today and I was surprised to see this big sign saying “Shopping is pointless” next to a photo of a happy woman in a field of flowers.

My first thought was that it’s some surprisingly on point anti-commercialism messaging to see in a mall at Christmas time.

Then I realised that a word was being blocked from view. When I made a few steps to the left, the whole sign reads “Shopping elsewhere is pointless.”

They were so close!

#mall #shopping #sign #nz #Christchurch #Ōtautahi #Christmas

Here are some baby birds I've seen this week, all in and around Ōtautahi-Christchurch city, NZ.

There's baby Canada geese along Sparks Road (the first time I've seen baby geese in this area of the city): inaturalist.nz/observations/32…

There's teeny baby ring-necked pheasants running across McDrurys Road: inaturalist.nz/observations/32…

There's grey teal ducklings with parents on an emphemeral creek along Robinsons Road (the first time I've seen baby grey teal here in the 22 years I've been biking this road to work): inaturalist.nz/observations/32…

And, there's teeny baby California quail running across Latters Spur track: inaturalist.nz/observations/32…

Of these, only the grey teal are NZ natives.

#birds #nz #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #iNaturalist