Beach House Hideaway

We are staying for a week at a secluded beach house on the Mangawhai coast. Its great place with the added bonus that it looks over the Fairy tern nesting area on the Mangawhai spit. Thanks to a friend I soon recognised a Fairy tern call and two flew over me heading West.

Its a great place for looking down on the Fairy tern as they feed below diving for fish in the Mangawhai estuary.

 I managed to get some shots of the birds as they flew past after feeding. Its been a poor   nesting period due to the very high winds that scattered chicks and caused birds to abandon nests.

 I decided to keep away from any remaining nesting sites and opted for a trek up to Te Arai point This was successful and a great walk on white sand with beautiful waves crashing onto the beach.

 I was able to photograph two birds preening themselves near a little group of White fronted terns.

Returning today I watched another younger bird preening itself. They are all banded so should be able to get their history.

 This was the very area that I had taken part in an NZ dotterel count during 2013 with Gwen and Eliane.




We have just had another swim and next it's a BBQ and then a soak  in the hot tub on the deck  to gaze at the stars.

This is a fabulous place.

Off Track - Tongariro Volcanic Zone

Heading to Mount Ruapehu to walk to the Te Maari Craters. Our leader is Harry Keys a DOC scientific technical  adviser on volcanology. A Big Thanks to Margi for making this happen. Please thank Harry for his time and shared knowledge. It was a great fun time at the lodge too. I'm still laughing about the conversation about the little blue pills!

 

Thanks Neil,  I never get in photos!

 

You can tell that I'm enjoying myself!

 

 

Thanks Neil, Hope my sister is having a look!

A rare creature I am usually on the other end of the camera as you see. Thanks to Neil Davies

 

 

 

Back to Bush

 

 

More Photos to follow.

Summer Days and Evening light 2015

 

 

 

 

More photos to follow