In Search of Sunshine.

Rain, rain, rain, that's all we have seen for some weeks now. Heading North in search of sunshine. 

And that's exactly what we have found. Sunny days to enjoy Russell again. It's always fun to watch the weka creeping up on unsuspecting tourist at the camp site. I love their calls at night which seem to echo across the valley.

 Good to enjoy a night out in the town with a good meal as we watched the sun go down. I always enjoy a walk around the historic church especially when the sun is shining. 

Russell Church.

Kawakawa is always worth a visit too. This little town is across from Russell using the Opua vehicle ferry is 

famous for the Hundertwasser designed toilets and now has a small gallery in remembrance of this well-known artist.

 On heading South, we would also visit the new Hundertwasser gallery at Whangarei.

Hundertwasser gallery at Whangarei

Then South to Ruakaka to enjoy the estuary. The lighting was spectacular for the sunrise. The sunset even better to watch the birds making the most of the low tide to feed.

NZ Dotterel in breeding plumage

Leigh was our next stop at the little campsite at Leigh Central a short hp then to be at the Goat Island Marine Reserve for a Botanical walk (BoT SoC) on the Leigh walkway.

Auckland Botanical Society overlooking Goat Island

 

Devil's Fingers (Anthurus archer)

Weta

Three Islands

 Thats three islands in one photo. The little island to the right is little egg island, the next is Te Haupa/ Saddle Island and the third is Motuora Island. This is the view from above Otarawao Bay

I have never quite timed the tide correctly to get onto little egg island. I have been out on   Saddle Island with the Auckland Botanical people.  Motuora island I have really enjoyed on many occasions helping with their restoration work although I haven't made it for a while due to clashes with other activities. 

Today however was just a trek over the hill from Otarawao ( Sullivans Bay) to the Te Muri stream. It's a delightful walk and definitely a favorite of mine.

Black - tailed godwit & a whiskered tern

 Good to join the Miranda team yesterday for their AGM followed by some high tide birding. At last a clear view of a lone black-tailed godwit on the mud flats amongst many, pied stilt, with knots and other remaining bar-tailed godwit that have not left to breed in Alaska.

 The whiskered tern was a first for me although it was tricky lining up the scope as it flicked around the stilt ponds which due to a larger than normal amount of water has attracted more ducks & swans than usual including over 20 dabchicks which is very unusual to have so many recorded here. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see them today.