
BIRDS
Here you can see the birds I have photographed listed in alphabetical order as you scroll down the page.
I’ve included a few little stories along the way, so be sure to look out for links to other pages and galleries.
Happy viewing!
CLICK IMAGES TO VIEW GALLLERIES
(Some galleries are still on this main page as I’m in the process of changing things around)
AUSTRALASIAN COOT
BELLBIRD
KORIMAKO

BITTERN - AUSTRALASIAN
The Australasian Bittern is one of the rarer birds of NewZealand, found in only a few locations around the country. They are getting so few in number, that they’re pretty much fit for the endagered list.
I first heard of the Bittern when working in Mahia in 2020. Before I left I made three trips to the wetland but saw nothing. A year later saw me there again. Every night after work and a couple free days bought nothing again.
Next were the shores of Lake Ellesmere. After a dozen trips into the wetlands I had still seen no Bittern.
Ohope was next. I spent most of my Easter break looking but still nothing.
Then I came to work in South Wairarapa.
So when I was checking out a reserve and came across a sign talking about the Bittern, my interest was peaked but my hopes were not fantastically high.
Of course, time after time I came up empty handed, until after about four months I met a very special lady who showed me a very special place. This was a step back in time and a glimpse of what the land once was. Our second outing bought me my first Bittern sighting - with a couple of photo’s to boot.
500 AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA
502 AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA
537 CABBAGE TREE - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA
MATUKU
BLACKBIRD
BROWN BOOBY

177 BROWN BOOBY - MURAWAI
CHICKEN
CRAKE - MARSH
KAREKE
CRESTED GREBE
KAMANA
CUCKOO - SHINING
PIPIWHARAUROA

222 SHINING CUCKOO - ROBINSONS BAY AKOROA
DUCK

77 THREE WHITE DUCKS - MASTERTON

156 MALLARD DUCK - TRAVIS WETLAND

250 AUSTRALASIAN SHOVELER - LAKE PEARSON

165 PARADISE DUCK CHICK - NELSON

326 PARADISE DUCK CHICK - NELSON

405 PARADISE DUCKLING - TRAVIS WETLAND

479 MALLARD DUCK SUNRISE - HENLEY LAKE
DUCK - PARADISE
Click image
Whatching this absolute weapon of a creature hunting was one of the highlights of my stay in Southern Wairarapa. This little guy was so fast and agile, the poor wee Sparrows never stood a chance.
Click on either of these images or the link above to see the sequences of what happens after a Falcon catches his dinner.
A WORD OF WARNING: These images capture a Falcon munching on a cute little Sparrow and are quite GRAPHIC.
CLICK IMAGE
552 NEWZEALAND FALCON EATING SPARROW - GREYTOWN
564 NEWZEALAND FALCON EATING SPARROW #2 - GREYTOWN
FANTAIL
Click image
PIWAKAWAKA
FANTAIL - BLACK
Click image
FANTAIL - CHATHAM ISLANDS

708 CHATHAM ISLANDS FANTAIL - WAITANGI - CHATHAM ISLANDS
FINCH - CHAFFINCH

609 CHAFFINCH - RUAMAHANGA RIVER - WAIRARAPA

640 CHAFFINCH - GREYTOWN

679 FEMALE CHAFFINCH - QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK - MASTERTON

714 CHAFFINCH FEEDING CHICK - GREYTOWN

718 CHAFFINCH & CHICK - GREYTOWN

720 BABY CHAFFINCH - GREYTOWN

722 FEMALE CHAFFINCH - GREYTOWN

723 FEMALE CHAFFINCH - GREYTOWN
FINCH - GOLDFINCH

366 GOLDFINCHES - LAKE WAIRARAPA

526 GOLDFINCHE - GREYTOWN

527 GOLDFINCHE - GREYTOWN

528 GOLDFINCHE - GREYTOWN

662 GOLDFINCH - GREYTOWN

717 GOLDFINCH WITH NEST BUILDING STUFF - GREYTOWN

732 GOLDFINCH PREENING - GREYTOWN
FINCH - GREENFINCH

653 GREENFINCH - GREYTOWN

719 GREENFINCH - GREYTOWN

724 GREENFINCH - GREYTOWN
GANNET
TAKAPU

10 GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

12 GANNET LANDING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

84 GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

85 GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

97 GANNET WITH HATCHING EGG - MURAWAI

108 GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

110 GANNET COLONY CYCLONE 2022 - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

114 GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

171 GANNETS - MURAWAI

172 LONE GANNET SUNSET - MURAWAI

179 SLEEPING GANNET - MURAWAI

200 GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

206 GANNETS MOONLIGHT SCHMOOZING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

207 GANNET MOONLIGHT FLIGHT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

208 GANNETS SCHMOOZING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

229 MOONLIGHT GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

230 GANNET & CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

245 GANNET PAIR - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

249 GANNET & CHICK - MURAWAI

257 GANNET CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

259 GANNET PREENING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

260 GANNET LANDING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

261 GANNETS PREENING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

271 GANNET PREENING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

272 GANNET COLONY SUNRISE - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

273 GANNETS SCHNOOZING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

274 GANNET & CHICK ON NEST - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

275 GANNET & FLUFFY CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

276 SCHMOOZING GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

279 GANNET CHICK UNDER MUM - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

280 GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

281 GANNET LANDING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

285 ADOLESCENT GANNET ON NEST - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

286 GANNET LANDING IN CYCLONE 2022 - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

287 FIGHTING GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

288 FIGHTING GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

290 GANNET WALKING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

300 GANNET CHICKS PREENING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

301 GANNET FEEDING CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

302 GANNET AND CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

304 GANNET FEEDING CHICK - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

305 HEADLESS GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

306 GANNET FIGHT GOT EM BY THE EYE SOCKETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

307 GANNET FIGHT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

308 GANNETS IN FLIGHT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

310 SCHMOOZING GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

311 GANNETS COLONY LIVING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

312 GANNETS FIGHTING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

378 SUNSET GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

506 GANNET LANDING - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

507 GANNET ADOLESCENT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

510 GANNETS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

511 GANNETS MATING - MURAWAI

689 LOW FLYING GANNET - CAPE KIDNAPPERS
GEESE

134 CANADIAN GEESE - TRAVIS WETLAND

173 GOSLING - KATIKATI

407 DOMESTIC GEESE - POHATU

412 DOMESTIC GOOSE SUNRISE - HENLEY LAKE

453 BLACK SWAN & GEESE SCRAPPING IT OUT - HENLEY LAKE

454 SUNRISE SCRAPPIN - BLACK SWAN & GEESE - HENLEY LAKE

585 MORNING GOOSE - HENLEY LAKE
GODWIT
KUAKA

18 BAR TAILED GODWITS - MAHIA

158 BAR TAILED GODWIT - NAPIER

408 BAR TAILED GODWIT - WAIKUKU

587 BAR TAILED GODWITS - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

710 BAR TAILED GODWIT - MAHIA
GREY WARBLER
RIRORIRO

152 GREY WARBLER - NELSON

153 GREY WARBLER - LAKE ROTOITI

252 GREY WARBLER - ARTHURS PASS

422 GREY WARBLER AND SNACK - LITTLE RIVER

425 GREY WARBLER - LITTLE RIVER

575 GREY WARBLER - GREYTOWN
GULL - BLACK BILLED
TARAPUKA

236 BLACK BILLED GULL - NAPIER

410 BLACK BILLED GULL HYBRID - ONOKE SPIT

13 BLACK BILLED GULL LANDING - FERRYMEAD

20 BLACK BILLED GULL SHAKING OFF - FERRYMEAD CHCH

27 BLACK BILLED GULL IN FLIGHT SUNSET - FERRYMEAD

137 BLACK BILLED GULL - ASHLEY RIVER

226 BLACK BILLED SEAGUL TAKING OFF - WAIKUKU

232 BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT WATER LANDING - NAPIER

233 BLACK BILLED GULL - NAPIER

234 BLACK BILL GULL ADOLESCENT LANDING - NAPIER

235 BLACK BILLED GULL - NAPIER

237 BLACK BILLED GULL - NAPIER

243 BLACK BILLED GULL - NAPIER

256 BLACK BILLED GULL COLONY EMERGENCY DRILLS - NAPIER

258 BLACK BILL GULL CHICKS EMERGENCY DRILL - NAPIER

291 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICKS EMERGENCY DRILL - NAPIER

295 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICKS - NAPIER

242 BLACK BILL GULL & CHICK - KINLOCH TAUPO

309 BLACK BILLED GULL & CHICK - KINLOCH

324 SCRAPPIN GULLS - NEWBRIGHTON

332 TANGLED BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

335 TANGLED ADOLESCENT BLACK BILLED GULL - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

334 MUM & KIDS BLACK BILL GULL HYBRIDS - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

380 BLACK BILLED GULLS - ASHLEY RIVER

391 BLACK BILLED GULL FISHING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

446 BLACK BILLED GULLS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

447 BLACK BILLED GULLS FISHING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

452 BLACK BILLED GULLS PLAYING TAG - WAIKUKU

461 BLACK BILLED GULL & CHICK - NAPIER

462 BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT - NAPIER

463 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICK - NAPIER

466 ONE LEGGED BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT - NAPIER

467 ONE LEGGED BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT & TERNS - NAPIER

468 ONE LEGGED BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT - NAPIER

471 ONE LEGGED BLACK BILLED GULL ADOLESCENT - NAPIER

484 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICK -SUNSET - NAPIER

576 BLACK BILLED GULLS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

616 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICKS - NAPIER

665 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICK - NAPIER

667 BLACK BILLED GULL CHICK - NAPIER

690 BLACK BILLED GULL & CHICK - NAPIER

763 BLACK BILLED GULLS - LAKE WAIRARAPA
LINKS
GULL - DOMINICAN
KARORO





GULL - RED BILLED
TARAPUNGA

78 RED BILLED GULL - MANGAWHAI

36 RED BILLED GULL SPLASHDOWN

141 RED BILLED SEAGULL CHICK - TEPURU

150 RED BILLED GULLS - Mt MAUNGANUI

244 RED BILLED GULL - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

289 RED BILLED GULL - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

516 SPLISH SPLASH RED BILLED GULL - PORIRUA HARBOUR

712 HOOKED RED BILLED GULL - WINDY POINT - COROMANDEL PENINSULA
HAWK
KAHU

41 MAGPIE vs HAWK DOGFIGHT - LAKE ELLISMERE

31 HARRIER HAWK - OXFORD

522 HARRIER HAWK - QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK - PAEKAKARIKI

523 HARRIER HAWK - QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK - PAEKAKARIKI

709 SWAMP HARRIER - WAITANGI - CHATHAM ISLANDS

711 SNAGGLE BEAKED SWAMP HARRIER - WAITANGI - CHATHAM ISLANDS

746 HARRIER HAWK - Mt GREY

756 INJURED HARRIER - Mt GREY AMBERLEY
HERON - BLUE

16 WHITE FACED HERON WITH LAMPREY

182 BLUE HERON - WAIKUKU

92 BLUE HERON - KAIKOURA

174 BLUE HERON HUNTING - WAIKUKU

352 BLUE HERONS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

345 BLUE HERONS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

373 BLUE HERONS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

384 BLUE HERONS - LAKE WAIRARAPA

371 BLUE HERON - WAIKUKU

379 BLUE HERON - BEXLEY WETLANDS CHCH

579 BLUE HERON - NAPIER

599 BLUE HERONS IN FLIGHT - GREYTOWN

629 BLUE HERON - LAKE WAIRARAPA

630 BLUE HERON - LAKE WAIRARAPA

631 BLUE HERON - LAKE WAIRARAPA

674 BLUE HERON WITH FISH - NAPIER
HERON - WHITE
KOTUKU
LINKS

87 WHITE HERONS WITH EGGS - WHATAROA

46 WHITE HERON CATCHING FISH - FERRYMEAD

47 WHITE HERON FISHING - WAIKUKU

397 WHITE HERON - WAIKUKU

181 WHITE HERON - WHATAROA

386 WHITE HERONS ON NEST - WHATAROA

399 WHITE HERON WITH CHICKS - WHATAROA

401 WHITE HERON WITH CHICKS - WHATAROA

398 WHITE HERON WITH FISH - WAIKUKU

644 WHITE HERON - WAIRARAPA

663 WHITE HERON - WAIRARAPA

668 WHITE HERON - WAIRARAPA
OUR PIONEER HEROS
In the good ol’ days in the land of promise and fortune, the ladies of our pioneer heritage took a shine to the White Herons’ fairy-like breeding plumage - it made very nice additions to hats apparently.
So of course this made the feathers a valuable prise and, come spring time, made targets of these beautiful birds.
Since Whataroa is NewZealands only nesting ground, it was pretty easy for enterprising hunters to nearly wipe them right out. The numbers got down to as low as 40 birds before someone thought “Gees maybe we should stop killing these things”
Nowdays numbers are up around 400. With a bit of luck they might stick around for our kids to see.
Here’s hoping.
KAKA

240 KAKA - PUKAHA

241 KAKA EATING- PUKAHA

292 KAKA EATING - PUKAHA

293 KAKA EATING - PUKAHA

353 KAKA IN FLIGHT - PUKAHA

354 KAKA - PUKAHA

356 KAKA - PUKAHA

360 KAKA IN FLIGHT - PUKAHA

413 KAKA - PUKAHA

584 KAKA STRIPPING BARK - PUKAHA

745 KAKAS - PUKAHA

99 KAKARIKI - PUKAHA

101 KAKARIKI LOVE - PUKAHA - Feeding her mate through the mesh after he was released to the wild

139 KAKARIKI - PUKAHA
Able and Mable
Meet Able and Mable. They live at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre where from Able has just been released a day before this photo.
Being in a committed relationship, Able stayed close to Mable, never once straying from sight. What you see here is mable feeding Able through the cage with the food from her carers
The day after this shot was taken, Mable was released into the wild to be re-united with her love.
Click this link to visit the Pukaha National Wildlife Centre website
KEA

127 KEA - ARTHURS PASS

199 KEA - ARTHURS PASS
KINGFISHER
KOTARE

02 TOM DICK & HARRY - KINGFISHERS - Mt PLEASANT CHCH

95 KINGFISHERS - Mt PLEASENT CHCH

25 KINGFISHERS FIGHTING - PANMURE BASIN

65 KINGFISHERS - PANMURE BASIN

80 KINGFISHER REFLECTION - AUCKLAND

192 KING FISHER - PANMURE BASIN

89 KINGFISHER - PANMURE BASIN

619 KINGFISHER - BEXLEY RESERVE
KOKAKO

138 KOKAKO - PUKAHA

577 KOKAKO - PUKAHA

578 KOKAKO - PUKAHA

580 KOKAKO - PUKAHA

624 KOKAKO - PUKAHA
MAGPIE

297 MAGPIE ON POWERLINE - GREYTOWN

41 MAGPIE vs HAWK DOGFIGHT - LAKE ELLISMERE

750 MAGPIE & CHICK - STORMY POINT - WAIRARAPA
OYSTERCATCHER - PIED
TOREA

140 EGGS - PIED OYSTER CATCHER - COROMANDEL

180 RUFFLED FEATHERS PIED OYSTER CATCHER - NORTHLAND

185 PIED OYSTERCATCHERS - OREWA

508 PIED OYSTER CATCHER - KAIPARA HARBOUR

731 PIED OYSTERCATCHERS IN FLIGHT - WAIKUKU
OYSTERCATCHER - VARIABLE
TOREA PANGO

331 SNAGGLE BEAKED VARIABLE OYSTER CATCHER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

706 VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER & CHICK - TAPU BEACH COROMANDEL
OYSTERCATCHER - WHITE

253 ALBINO OYSTER CATCHER - MARAETAI BEACH

282 ALBINO OYSTERCATCHER - MARAETAI COAST

283 ALBINO OYSTERCATCHER - MARAETAI COAST
PEACOCK

581 WHITE PEACOCK - WICKED SECRET - FEATHERSTON

594 PEACOCK - WICKED SECRET - FEATHERSTON
PHEASANT

390 GOLDEN PHEASANT - FEATHERSTON

392 SILVER PHEASANT - FEATHERSTON

472 Mr TRUMP - GOLDEN PHEASANT - WICKED SECRET FEATHERSTON

473 SILVER PHEASANT - WICKED SECRET - FEATHERSTON
PIPIT
PIHOIHOI

117 PIPIT - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

368 PIPIT - POHATU
PLOVER - SHORE
TUTURUATU

29 JUVENILE SHORE PLOVER PULLING WORM - WAIKUKU

613 SHORE PLOVER - WAIKUKU
PLOVER - SPUR WINGED

396 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

344 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

400 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

394 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

395 SPUR WINGED PLOVER BATHING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

388 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

387 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA

389 SPUR WINGED PLOVER - LAKE WAIRARAPA
PUKEKO

42 PUKEKO SUNSET - TRAVIS WETLAND

35 PUKEKO - WAIMAKARIRI RIVER MOUTH

146 PUKEKO - AVON RIVER

147 PUKEKO - AVON RIVER

194 PUKEKO SWIMMING - AVON RIVER

448 PUKEKO & CHICK - AVON RIVER CHCH

633 PUKEKO EGGS - GREYTOWN

730 MATING PUKEKOS - TRAVIS WETLANDS
RIFLEMAN

743 RIFLEMAN - PUKAHA
ROYAL SPOONBILL

37 ROYAL SPOONBILL SUNSET TAKE-OFF - WAIKUKU

7 ROYAL SPOONBILL - WAIKUKU

116 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - NAPIER

184 ROYAL SPOONBILL - WHATAROA

188 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - WAIKUKU

203 ROYAL SPOONBILLS FIGHTING - TRAVIS WETLAND

204 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - TRAVIS WETLAND

403 ROYAL SPOONBILL - JUST DOWN TWO BLOCKS AND TURN RIGHT, YOU CAN'T MISS IT - TRAVIS WETLANDS

428 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - TRAVIS WETLAND

404 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - TRAVIS WETLAND

429 ROYAL SPOONBILLS - TRAVIS WETLAND

670 SPOONBILL CHICKS IN NEST - TRAVIS WETLAND
SCAUP
PAPANGO

205 MALE SCAUP - KAIAPOI

247 MOTHER SCAUP WITH CHICKS - LAKE FORSYTHE

248 SCAUP MUM AND CHICKS - LAKE FORSYTHE

228 SCAUP - LAKE FORSYTHE

622 SCAUP PAIR TAKING OFF - LAKE FORSYTHE

457 SCAUP - SUNRISE SPLASH - HENLEY LAKE

739 SCAUP CHICK - PALMERSTON NORTH

741 SCAUP CHICK - PALMERSTON NORTH

764 SCAUP DIVING - KAIAPOI
SHAG - LITTLE SHAG
KAWAU

68 SHAG & SWALLOW - RAKAIA RIVER MOUTH

223 LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT - WAIKUKU

664 LITTLE SHAG & CHICKS - WHATAROA
SHAG - AUSTRALIAN PIED CORMORANT

33 PIED CORMORANT TAKE OFF - WAIKUKU

142 PIED CORMORANT & CHICKS - WAIKUKU

122 PIED CORMORANT CHICKS-WAIKUKU

328 PIED CORMORANT & CHICKS IN NEST - WAIKUKU

481 PIED CORMORANT - COROMANDEL PENINSULA
SHAG - SPOTTED
PAREKAREKA

38 SPOTTED SHAGS IN FLIGHT - WAIKUKU

157 SPOTTED SHAGS - WAIKUKU

178 SPOTTED SHAG TAKE OFF - WAIKUKU

227 SPOTTED SHAGS - AKOROA HARBOUR

424 SPOTTED SHAG - TUMBLE DOWN BAY
SKYLARK

606 SKYLARK - J.K.DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

627 SKYLARK - LAKE WAIRARAPA
SPARROW

217 SPARROW - POHATU

315 SPARROW - BLOCKHOUSE BAY

363 SPARROWS ON FENCE POST - GREYTOWN

364 SPAROWS ON FENCE POST - GREYTOWN


525 SPARROW PREENING ON FENCE - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

573 SPARROW LINE-UP - GREYTOWN

572 SPARROW LINE-UP - GREYTOWN

617 SPARROWS - GREYTOWN

618 SPARROW LINE-UP - GREYTOWN

638 SPARROWS - GREYTOWN

639 SPARROW IN THE RAIN - GREYTOWN

643 SPARROWS - GREYTOWN

691 BOUNCING SPARROW - GREYTOWN

707 HOVERING SPARROW - GREYTOWN

713 HOVERING SPARROW - GREYTOWN

733 SPARROW IN FLIGHT - GREYTOWN

736 SPARROW IN FLIGHT - GREYTOWN

737 SPARROW IN FLIGHT - GREYTOWN

761 SPARROW FEEDING CHICK - PALMERSTON NORTH
SPARROW - WHITE

738 WHITE SPARROW - PALMERSTON NORTH

760 WHITE SPARROW - PALMERSTON NORTH
STARLING

60 STARLING - EPSOM

192 STARLINGS - EPSOM

246 STARLING - ROBINSONS BAY AKAROA

591 STARLING - GREYTOWN

592 STEPPIN OUT STARLING - GREYTOWN

671 STARLING ON FLAX - ROBINSONS BAY - AKAROA

725 STARLING WINGS SPREAD - GREYTOWN

726 STARLING YOUNGSTERS - GREYTOWN

749 STARLING JUVENILES - GREYTOWN
STILT - BLACK
KAKI

155 BLACK STILT - WAIKUKU

729 BLACK STILT - WAIKUKU
STILT - PIED
POAKA

22 PIED STILTS - TAURANGA

56 STILT YOGA - TAURANGA

144 TWO HEADED PIED STILT - TAURANGA

517 STILT PILATES - PIED STILT - PAUATAHANUI

588 STILT BALLET - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

602 FIGHTIN STILTS - PAUATAHANUI

621 WINDY STILT - PAUATAHANUI

701 PIED STILT - LAKE WAIRARAPA

702 PIED STILT & BLACK FRONTED DOTTEREL - LAKE WAIRARAPA

704 PIED STILT PREENING - LAKE WAIRARAPA
My Stilt Shot
Driving through Auckland one day I passed a billboard with a photo of a ballerinas’ arms and feet (en point), crossed over each other creating a lattice like effect. Upon seeing this, what imediately came to mind were Stilts! They are always in pairs. If i could get one behind the other I could get the lattice shot like the ballerina!
Well easier said than done. There were quite a few “almosts” and a few that hit the mark, but with crappy backdrops or lousy lighting. Three years had passed as I took my new super-dooper 300-800mm f5.6 lens for its first outing. Plugging through an estuary just out of Tauranga, I spotted this pair of Pied Stilts - and finally got my shot.
And the magic didn’t stop there I also captured the rare '“Four Legged-Two Headed Stilt”, the even rarer “Headless Stilt” and witnessed the Stilts rigorous pilates exercise routine ( pictured in the gallery above )
It was as if they knew I was playing with my new toy. This double bonus day gave me my shot that was 3 years in the making.
Thanks Nature!
SWALLOW - WELCOME SWALLOW

45 WELCOME SWALLOW FEEDING CHICKS - AMBERLEY

08 WELCOME SWALLOWS ON FENCE - CHRISTCHURCH

43 SWALLOW - THAT BIRD LOOKS JUST LIKE ME - BUS CARD

96 WELCOME SWALLOW - LAKE ROTOITI

168 WELCOME SWALLOW - FERRYMEAD

512 WELCOME SWALLOW - PAUATAHANUI

513 WELCOME SWALLOW LANDING - PAUATAHANUI

514 PAVAROTTI SWALLOW - PAUATAHANUI

515 WELCOME SWALLOW LANDING - PAUATAHANUI

535 WELCOME SWALLOW LANDING - PAUATAHANUI

659 SWALLOW PREENING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

660 SWALLOW PREENING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

661 SWALLOW PREENING - LAKE WAIRARAPA

669 SWALLOW PREENING - LAKE WAIRARAPA
SWAN - BLACK

129 BLACK SWAN & CHICK 2B - KAIAPOI

128 BLACK SWAN CHICKS - KAIAPOI

143 BLACK SWAN CHICKS - KAIAPOI

125 BLACK SWAN & CHICK - KAIAPOI

159 BLACK SWAN & CHICK - MASTERTON

112 BLACK SWAN CHICK - MASTERTON

93 BLACK SWAN CHICK - MASTERTON

148 BLACK SWAN NESTING - AVON RIVER

414 BLACK SWAN, COOTS & MALLARD DUCK - HENLY LAKE

454 SUNRISE SCRAPPIN - BLACK SWAN & GEESE - HENLEY LAKE

453 BLACK SWAN & GEESE SCRAPPING IT OUT - HENLEY LAKE

455 SUNRISE SCRAPPIN - BLACK SWAN & GEESE - HENLEY LAKE

456 SWANS DUCKS COOTS & GEESE - HENLEY LAKE

504 BLACK SWAN SUNRISE - HENLEY LAKE MASTERTON

611 BLACK SWANS - HENLEY LAKE - MASTERTON

623 BLACK SWAN - AVON RIVER
SWAN - WHITE

61 WHITE SWAN - CHRISTCHURCH

767 WHITE SWAN - BROMLEY - CHCH

747 MUTE SWAN - WAIKUKU

748 MUTE SWANS - WAIKUKU
OUT & ABOUT
When you look through a lens, the rest of the world just dissapears
TAKAHE

100 TAKAHE - PUKAHA

195 TAKAHE - PUKAHA

358 TAKAHE FEEDING - PUKAHA

98 TAKAHE - PUKAHA
TERN - CASPIAN

73 CASPIAN TERN - PANMURE BASIN

145B CASPIAN TERN DIVING - MAPUA

367 CASPIAN TERN & ADOLESCENT - LAKE WAIRARAPA
TERN - FAIRY
TARA ITI

582 FAIRY TERN - WAIKUKU

583 FAIRY TERN ADOLESCENT - WAIKUKU
TERN - WHITE FRONTED
TARA
LINKS

9 WHITE FRONTED TERN - TEPURU

49 SUNSET TERNS - WHITE FRONTED - TEPURU

317 WHITE FRONTED TERNS FEEDING CHICK - TEPURU

318 WHITE FRONTED TERNS FEEDING CHICKS B&W - TEPURU

319 WHITE FRONTED TERN CHICK - TEPURU

321 ADOLESCENT WHITE FRONTED TERNS - TEPURU

231 WHITE FRONTED TERNS DINNER TIME - NAPIER

294 ADOLESCENT WHITE FRONTED TERN - NAPIER

239 WHITE FRONTED TERNS SUNSET - NAPIER

238 WHITE FRONTED TERN & CHICK - NAPIER

176 WHITE FRONTED TERN WITH FISH & CHICK - THAMES

175 WHITE FRONTED TERN WITH FISH - THAMES

464 WHITE FRONTED TERN ADOLESCENT SLEEPING - NAPIER



470 WHITE FRONTED TERN LANDING WITH FISH - NAPIER

483 WHITE FRONTED TERN - NAPIER

615 WHITE FRONTED TERN - NAPIER

646 WHITE FRONTED TERN - NAPIER
The Last Tern Of The Season
Just North of Tepuru, on the Coromandel Peninsular, I photographed a colony of White Fronted Terns for about a month. Unfortunately I missed the eggs hatching, but as a consolation I was present to witness their final departing moment.
The noise was incredible as the colony circled above, waiting to depart, there was obviously alot of organising going on. Some went ahead, some slipped in a bit of last minute fishing while others motivated the slow coaches.
At last they were ready and off they flew. But a few remained. With alot of squawking and wing flapping most of the stagglers were coaxed into flight, taking off after the flock. All except one stubborn little dude accompanied by some very frustrated adults. Eventually with the help of a fish bribe, the last Tern took to the sky and off they flew to their new home.
If you look closely you can see the relutant participant still has his fish.

296 THRUSH SHAKING OFF - GREYTOWN

94 THRUSH EATING WORM - WAKEFIELD

634 SCRATCHING THRUSH - GREYTOWN

635 THRUSH WITH WORMS - GREYTOWN

636 THRUSH PREENING - GREYTOWN

637 THRUSH - GREYTOWN

680 MOTHER THRUSH FEEDING CHICK - GREYTOWN

684 MOTHER THRUSH - GREYTOWN

681 STRANDED BABY THRUSH - GREYTOWN

682 STRANDED BABY THRUSH HIDING - GREYTOWN

683 STRANDED BABY THRUSH HIDING - GREYTOWN

687 MOTHER THRUSH & BABY - GREYTOWN

688 THRUSH PREENING - GREYTOWN

715 THRUSH FEEDING BABY - GREYTOWN

716 THRUSH WITH WORM - GREYTOWN

721 THRUSH FEEDING YOUNGSTER - GREYTOWN
TIT
KOMIROMIRO

162 TOM TIT ON FENCE - NELSON LAKES

161 TOM TIT - NELSON LAKES

164 FEMALE TIT ON FEMCE - NELSON LAKES

163 FEMALE TIT ON FENCE - NELSON LAKES

166 TOM TIT PERCHED ON HEBE - NELSON LAKES
TUI

24 TUI ON FLAX FLOWER - NELSON

48 TUI ON FLAX STEM - OHAKUNI

74 TUI IN PINK - Mt EDEN

75 TUI IN PINK - Mt EDEN

76 TUI IN PINK - Mt EDEN

103 TUIS - OHAKUNI

113 TUI ON FLAX - HAWKES BAY

186 TUI - CAPE KIDNAPPERS

160 TUI CHERRY BLOSSOM - TASMAN

409 TUI IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - TASMAN

460 TUI IN KOWHAI TREE - FEATERSTON

758 TUI ON FLAX - WAIRAKEI

765 TUI IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - TASMAN
TUI’S AND WAXEYES LOOOOVE NEW CHERRY BLOSSOMS !
I was driving through Mt Eden in Auckland when I passed a tree full of birds. I stopped and started madly snapping shots of Tuis and waxeyes having a royal feast of Cherry nectar. Unfortunately it was late afternoon on a cloudy day and the light was crap. Driving on I passed a street lined on both sides with Ornamental Cherry trees in full blossom. Yippie
5:30 the next morning I arrived back at the street and couldn’t believe my eyes (or ears). There must have been 500 Tuis, all on a sugar high, jumping from branch to branch faster than I could keep up. The noise was increadible! Beeing so hyped up, they were pretty difficult to photograph. After two hours of ducking, dodging, reaching and bending, to get clear shots through the branches, I was completely knackered. Got some ok shots though.
So a while later I was in Tasman, near Motueka, When I passed another Cherry tree in blossom - same deal, Tuis and Waxeyes. I went back 3 times to that tree. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on my side but I managed to get a few good shots.
Hope you like them
WAXEYE
TAUHAU

183 WAXEYE - CLYDE

190 WAXEYE - CLYDE

44 WAXEYE EATING WASP - GLENTUI VALLEY

50 WAXEYE - GLENTUI VALLEY

189 WAXEYE ON CHERRY BLOSSOM - Mt EDEN

212 WAXEYE - POHATU

216 WAXEYE - POHATU

218 WAXEYE - POHATU

351 WAXEYE - PUKAHA

357 WAXEYE - Mt BRUCE

362 WAXEYE - PUKAHA

434 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

437 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

438 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

439 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

431 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

432 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

435 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

436 WAXEYE IN CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

440 WAXEYE ON CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

451 WAXEYE IN WATTLE TREE - GREYTOWN


531 WAXEYE IN WATTLE TREE - GREYTOWN
CHERRY BLOSSOM - MAIN St DELI GREYTOWN

These little guys were loving the new cherry blossoms in the Main Street Deli’s courtyard in Greytown
WHITEHEAD
POPOKOTEA

346 WHITEHEAD - Mt BRUCE

347 WHITEHEAD - Mt BRUCE

355 WHITEHEAD - Mt BRUCE

642 WHITEHEAD - PUKAHA - Mt BRUCE
WOOD PIDGEON
KERERU

167 WOOD PIDGEON - HURUNUI

329 WOOD PIDGEON - PYRAMID VALLEY

374 WOOD PIDGEON - PUKAHA

375 WOOD PIDGEON - PUKAHA
WRYBILL
NGUTU PARE

104 WRYBILL - MOTUNAU

26 WRYBILL PULLING WORM - WAIKUKU

509 WRYBILL CLEANING HIS DINNER - WAIKUKU

727 WRYBILL - MOTUNAU
YELLOWHAMMER

487 YELLOWHAMMER FEMALE - FEATHERSTON

608 YELLOWHAMMER - J.K. DONALD RESERVE - LAKE WAIRARAPA

703 YELLOWHAMMER - LAKE WAIRARAPA
YELLOWHEAD

654 YELLOWHEAD - FEATHERSTON

762 YELLOWHEAD - FEATHERSTON