Thursday, January 28, 2010

Road kill 3-3


Road kill impacts on endangered native birds such as kea (juvenile bird in photo), bittern and blue penguins

Road kill series -2


Magpie- people must speed up to hit these birds. I haven't run one over in 20 years and have driven 100 000 kms. In a modified agricultural landscape magpies are ok- they are intelligent and elegant birds- why run them over ?

Road kill series


Morepork _ Fiordland- OK I hit this bird- it was a night and not possible to avoid !

Cook's Petrel- off Kaikoura


Photo taken several years ago. Cooks petrel are summer visitors off Kaikoura- just another magical sighting from an "Albatross Encounter" trip - no two trips are the same !!! Thanks Gary and Dennis

Monday, January 25, 2010

Decisive moment


Australasian gannet preparing to dive- these birds are like missiles and you (as a fish) do not want to be on the pointy end of that bill. Cool birds and most common in Canterbury's waters now.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Wandering albatross -head detail


Such regal birds- never tire of seeing them- Kaikoura of course- the albatross capital of the world

Harakeke reflection


green is so soothing

Common skink- highly evolved camoflague


The skink hopped onto my tramping boot- making an interesting composition, while out in the field with skink researcher, Marieke Lettink. This photo was my first one published as a hotshot in Wilderness magazine.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

white winged black tern


I reckon the most elegant and strikingly coloured of all birds. This bird was photographed up the Harper River- Canterbury

One of our most cryptic birds - the marsh crake


Recently heard lots of birds while camping out at Maori lakes. These birds have giant feet and when you hear them moving in the reed beds you really expect to see a larger bird.
This photo was published in the recent book "Wild Encounters"

Upper Rangitata


A classic braided river-

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Monday, January 11, 2010

tern landing


Went to Birdling's Flat on Sunday- flock of about 700 birds- but only one juvenile. Concerned that this species is not breeding successfully. Love the turquoise blue background- very Canterbury

D'Archiac and Forbes


Mighty peaks in the headwaters of the Havelock

Snow tussocks - Lake Clearwater Region


Really road verges are important reserves for native plants as high country landscapes become increasingly modified. Snow tussocks are as elegant as you can get I reckon. Somehow on overcast days their colours are so much more vibrant !!

Ballon- Winterslow Range- today

Mt Catherine- Lake Heron region- today


Yes the middle of summer

Snow on alps

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

bittern - in typical frozen pose


Studied this rare and declining bird over the winter for the Department of Conservation. Perhaps now less than a 1000 left nationally - and indications are that they are in serious decline.
Bittern- stuffed ?
- hope not

Penguin - fisherman - dog


Any ideas for a caption ?

Black fronted tern chick

Black fronted tern chick

Lichen on post


I am continually fascinated by the myriad of patterns and colours that lichens form

Lake Heron - NW arch - blowing like 40 B's

O Tu Wharekai Sunset - Tues night

wrybill juvenile bird - resting hot day- Upper Rangitata - 050110