Stephen Ross
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aratiatia.bsky.social
Stephen Ross
@aratiatia.bsky.social
250 followers 520 following 270 posts
Pākehā, science, gaming, indigenous wisdoms. He/him. Banner is "Taranaki Maunga from Oeo Road" Giclee print by Marianne Muggeridge.
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aratiatia.bsky.social
Soon, this incredible chrysalis will open to reveal a transformed, beautiful hydrosliderfly which will take to the skies above Taupō in search of a mate, thus completing the circle of life 😌
The thorax of a two-tunnel hydroslide is partially encased in an enormous, magnificent white chrysalis, visible from the roadside.
November 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Guys, look what was just delivered! My lens collection is now complete 😍😍😍
Close up of a Canon 70-200 mm 2.8 lens mark 2 peeking out of its carry bag.
November 18, 2025 at 8:57 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
New mayor of Taupō who stated before the local election that he wanted to remove Māori wards won't be going to any marae as part of his new role.
Article in the Taupō Times about the new mayor, John Funnell Close up of two paragraphs from the same article. Text reads "there are some places where it is impossible for me to hear like cocktail parties, art gallery openings or on marae." "So please accept this as an apology in advance if I do not attend your group's event".
October 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
This should be beans. Day is ruined now.
A grid of the game connections showing kidney, pinto, navy, lima highlighted with one life lost.
October 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Trying to understand the USA shutdown and Gemini says this
Gemican says in a "normal country funding is just about numbers.. Then it says" in the United States..." implying the USA is not normal
October 1, 2025 at 7:06 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Our girl, Magic, on the greyhound walk in Taupō this morning, #photography
Square photo of a black greyhound with white markings wearing a harness
September 28, 2025 at 12:07 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Taupō's new Woolworths has car parks for low emission vehicles. As I left yesterday, a white Ford ranger pulled into one. The driver got out saying quite audibly "you should be able to park any fucking where" as if to convince themselves they were brave and reasonable in this crazy woke world
Woolworths carpark sign that says "reserved for low emission vehicles. Hybrids, fuel efficient 5 star rated vehicles"
September 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Again with the grrrrr #connections
Game of connections showing highlighted words toad, mole, badger, rat who are characters from The Wind in the Willows but it's incorrect
August 25, 2025 at 8:47 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Going to be a crispy Taupō frost in the morning
View of ngā maunga Tongariro, Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe from the northern side of Taupo-nui-a-tia.
July 21, 2025 at 5:13 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
☹️☹️☹️ Too obvious I guess?
A grid from the game of connections. The words baby, sporty, scary and ginger are highlighted but are an incorrect match (it's the spice girls)
July 14, 2025 at 1:47 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Keeping it real in Taupō
Photo of a sign attached to a wall. The sign says "please do not leave valuables in chanign rooms. Stealing does happen." except, the word "stealing" has been crossed out with a black marker pen and the word "shit" had been added in its place
July 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
You guys...! Can not describe, so good
Photo of the gold wrapping of a slab of Whittaker's peanut caramel brittle chocolate
June 18, 2025 at 4:56 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Connections game screen showing the words fight, flight, freeze and fawn are selected and one life has been lost
June 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
OK this is too sneaky, Connections, because this really should be a set of four BUT IT ISN'T 😡😡😡
Screen shot of the latest Connections game. The words cone, lens, iris and rod are highlighted. Only three of the four lives remain.
June 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Beautiful day in Rotorua for waka ama races
View of multiple waka sitting on the grass near the lake, Rotorua
June 6, 2025 at 9:12 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
See a Doc, post a doc
Blue icon for a Google document
May 30, 2025 at 4:46 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Cafe employee said I smell good this morning 🥰🥰🥰 I was wearing Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Paradise Garden, I love it
Image of Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Paradise Garden spray-top glass bottle shaped as a male torso and filled with pale green liquid, and packaging.
May 28, 2025 at 3:06 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Brave and unabashed taking up four car parks with one vehicle
In a large car park, a black Toyota land cruiser is parked over two side by side car parks and partially encroaching on the two car parks behind it
May 13, 2025 at 4:47 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
This cost $17 at a Taupō café
Two small scrambled eggs nestled against a single piece of multigrain toast cut into two pieces with some meagre token leafy garnish
April 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Platinum trophy pinged for Death Stranding Director's Cut and the console captured this stunning image
A totally black screen with a dmall Playstation icon at lower right, a platinum trophy icon at lower left and a description of the trophy with its icon also lower left. Not much to look at.
April 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
This wallpaper steamer is giving facehugger
The operational end of a wallpaper steamer and it's black hose attachment are laying face up on carpet, scraps of torn wallpaper nearby
April 25, 2025 at 11:53 PM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Beautiful fungus in a pot with Escallonia
#fungifriends
Single orange toadstool in potting mix, green leaves visible in the background
April 23, 2025 at 4:55 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Her recipe here (also in alt text). I substitute cream cheese for marscapone and it's bloody excellent. Don't try to have too much at once because it's very rich
Ali Stoner Serves 1 70 g finely grated cheese (1 used smoked and vintage cheddar) 1 tbsp mascarpone 1/8 (eighth) tsp allspice, white pepper black pepper & mustard powder 1/2 (half) tsp whisky Mix all paste ingredients together. Spread a nice piece of sourdough with butter then mayonnaise on one side and place into a warmed frying pan till crisp and golden. Top with all the cheese paste on the untoasted side, the get back into frying pan and under a hot grill till golden and blistered. Remove to a board and leave for 5 minutes. Not only is it scalding hot, but the cheese paste is in quite a liquid state at this point and it needs to rest! Cut into pieces and enjoy, quietly on your own, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner...or quite frankly when you just need a snack.
April 21, 2025 at 3:40 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
In my kids' college newsletter are suggestions to buy resources to support numeracy development, basically pay for help to pass the NCEA CAA (are they any good? Who's profiting?). Education shouldn't cost money let alone require whānau to buy extra curricular resourcing so kids can pass a test
Screen shot from an email, the visible text says "1. Numeracy Essentials - This is for learners who need support on their journey towards achieving the NCEA Numeracy CAA exam. It has Notes, examples and practice questions with answers $16.95 2. Numeracy Practice- This contains 40 sets of practice questions with answers $9.95 Next term, we will be running Numeracy(CAA) revision sessions for year 10-12 students. Have an awesome Easter! "
April 11, 2025 at 3:29 AM
aratiatia.bsky.social
Mayor David Trewavas and hostess Miss Ribena at the Taupō Pride Festival for 2025
Photo of Mayor David Trewavas and drag queen Miss Ribena on stage at the Taupō Pride Festival
March 22, 2025 at 1:02 AM