yellow-eyed penuin

Today we visited a sanctuary for the yellow-eyed penguins, which breed in the southern part of South Island and adjacent islands. All the adults were out at sea, fishing, but this chick sheltering under one of the hides allowed us very close views.

Before that I'd had a couple of hours' excellent seawatching from Taiaroa Head, with four different species of albatross passing, including the big ones - royal and wandering.