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We were in Wellington last weekend and despite the bad weather I took the opportunity to go for a walk in Zealandia. THe morning started overcast with a forecast for rain but I optimistically though the the rain might hold off. I got got up above the upper dam thinking that the weather didn't look too bad when suddenly it closed in and the heavy rain started.  By this time I had managed to photograph several hihi at one of the feeding stations and though I had seen and heard lots of saddleb …

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 …

Hihi gathering around the feeder taking their turn. Korimako pushes in then sits on a branch singing. The hihi scatter with flashes of yellow then return one by one sneaking in while the korimako concentrates on his song. In the distance tieke calling out notes rippling through the bush. A shadow overhead, a flight of kaka, cries echoing in the valley. Beauty manifesting herself in form, a movement, a song, a beat of wings the flight o …