Frequent Flying at Zealandia

Male Hihi (Stitchbird)

We went back to Zealandia today even though there was light rain when we were heading out. It was a little chilly for a while and the seats were a bit wet to sit on for rests but otherwise it turned out to be a brilliant day. We arrived at the Kaka feeders just after they had been fed and there were a huge number of them jumping about and arguing with each other. I wasn't going to bother with them today but I couldn't resist stopping for a few minutes.

Kaka

We walked up to the Discovery area where there are always lots of Hihi (Stitchbird)'s and we weren't disappointed. They flittered about around us between the trees and the feeders hardly ever stopping long enough for me to click the shutter. I thought the Fantails were the teases of the trees, but they have nothing on the Hihi There were bellbirds and robins there as well. The robin decided I must have something good in my camera bag so took a bit of time to check it out.

Male Hihi (Stitchbird)

North Is Robin

We took the boat on the way back and were lucky enough to have it to ourselves. There were no shags sitting on the raft which was a shame but there were a few playing about in the water that I managed to get a few shots of. Michael (the boat operator) was most accommodating after seeing my camera. He unzipped the plastic windows and turned the boat this way and that, and backed off for me when he got too close to the birds. He pointed out all the birds of interest and their nests along the way. A real treat!

Pateke and duckling

Pateke and duckling

Pied shag playing about in the water

Zealandia

Last Sunday there was a break in the weather for a short while so we headed off to Zealandia. It was still a bit windy but nothing like the day before. I am still getting the hang of using my big lens at Zealandia as it is quite dark in the bush. I ended up resorting to using flash in the end.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

Easter Saturday and the sun was shining brightly, so we took advantage of the weather and headed to Zealandia once more. I have a yearly pass so it makes it affordable and they are running a special at the moment letting members take guests for half price! So the ever suffering hubby came along to carry the gear for me.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

I went to all my usual haunts and today came up empty, so it was time to go further afield. We ventured along the "Round the Lake" track which funnily enough, goes around the top lake above the dam. I am not sure it was a smart move with the state of my back and joints but I was determined to walk it at least once, just to see what I have been missing when I don't go there.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

I got a glimpse of some Hihi (Stitchbacks) but never managed to get a shot of them. I saw lots of Saddlebacks but again didn't manage to capture an image I was happy with. I did get some but they are not great. The Saddlebacks are very quick and flit from branch to branch before you get a chance to focus on them.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

There were Tui everywhere! I don't think I have ever seen so many Tui at Zealandia, a definite population explosion! But the highlight of my day today was the Toutouwai (North Island Robin). They are so trusting that you can get up close and personal with them. At times they were too close for the lens that I had on my camera and that too was frustrating.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

Toutouwai are small birds, not much bigger than a sparrow but with very spindley legs, and are found in native and exotic forrests. The ones I came across today were right little posers, turning from side to side as the camera clicked. I had to use the flash due to the bad lighting in the bush but it didn't seem to bother them one little bit.

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

After getting around the track I was going to spend some time with the Kaka but they were hiding too, so I just headed back to the cafe - as you do - for a late lunch. We spotted some Tuatara on the way back - I will post some images of them later. It was a fun day!

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

Toutouwai - North Island Robin

Zealandia

Flight times

When you are sitting on a plane waiting for take off and for some reason the hostesses are still fussing around and the doors are not shut until suddenly two late passengers come puffing their way into the plane. You know then why there was a delay and you frown at those two as they walk past you to their seats. I have done this many times in the past but I have never been that passenger that has held up and entire plane... until this week!

Tui in flight

Our flight to Auckland was at 3.00pm, our flight home was at 3.30pm and for some crazy reason we had the times back to front. So we sipped on a glass of wine while waiting for our flight, then sauntered down to the departure lounge making a stop at the toilets along the way. It was while visiting the conveniences that we heard that dreaded message over the intercom.

Male Stitchbird

 "This is the final boarding call for passengers....." It was our names they were calling! Well I don't think I have run so fast carrying all my camera gear before but yes, we were those two passengers who held up the flight for at least ten minutes. Ok so it wasn't a huge amount of time and the hostess later told us that they were still loading the luggage down below but it was extremely embarrassing walking down the aisle of the plane with everyone and I mean EVERYONE staring at us with disapproving eyes.

Bellbird singing

I don't care how early I get to the airport in future but I am not going to be that person again. The funny part of this story is yet to come. Our flight home started with a gate change, so everyone had to find their way to the new gate. Then there was the delay - two passengers had checked in and failed to show up for the flight. They were probably still back at the other departure gate waiting for the plane to arrive.

Tui

 Anyway we had to wait while the luggage was unloaded and reloaded so that their bags could be removed from the plane before we could take off. It felt like they were punishing us for being late on the way up. We had no one to frown at for the delay, they didn't manage to catch the flight at all - I felt a teeny bit sorry for them but was also a little smug because we made it to the plane on time - albeit without the glass of wine.

New Zealand Robin