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I managed to fit in a quick trip to Zealandia on a recent weekend visit to Wellington. I didn't have much time but Zealandia never disappoints. Apart from getting some wonderful sitings of rare native birds (tieke, hihi and kaka) the birdsong alone makes any visit to Zealandia worthwhile for me. I was very lucky to see a pair of tieke (saddleback) feeding their almost fully grown young.Just as the tieke moved off this tui came and landed right beside me in the flax.Then I had an amazing mom …

After several days of blustery stormy weather, this morning dawned fine and clear in New Plymouth with Taranaki standing bold and clear on the horizon with a fresh dusting of spring snow. I headed out early to get some dawn photos of the mountain and then see what bird life might be about at the Waiwhakaio river mouth, one of the best spots near New Plymouth to see a wide variety of bird life.The sand dunes, with regeneratng natives, and clumps of boxthorn seems to provide great habitat for smal …

I've been meaning to make another trip to Rotakare for a while. Rotakare scenic reserve is a very special place in South Taranaki, a tribute to the local community that has managed to transform this reserve into a pest free sanctuary with a thriving native bird population. I was particularly interested in getting some photos of fernbirds (or matata) as Rotakare is renowned for its fernbird population. Its fernbird population is so healthy that it has been used as the source for translocatin …

Pukeiti gardens are spectacular at this time of year with a wonderful profusion of plants in flower.  There's also plenty of bird life with the air full of the beautiful resonant notes of tui and bellbird.  I made a couple of visits to the gardens over the weekend to soak up the beauty and see what birds were about to photograph.A korimako or bellbird, sitting still just long enough to get a photo. One of the beautiful little streams that flow through the gardens.Miromiro, the nor …

Sunday morning was a great morning for photography. I woke early , around 4:30am, and saw that the mountain was standing clear with the moon close to setting so I set off to do some early morning photography. First stop was Port Taranaki to get some  early dawn/night shots of the mountain rising above the harbour and the coastal city lights. It was a cold spring morning but stunningly beautiful. Then I headed out to the Waiwhakaio river mouth to see what birdlife was about getting some grea …