Royal Spoonbill Ashley estuary

Not a lot planned for the day so it was lovely when S (optomist) rang to say she wasn't working and we could go out somewhere. So although the tide wasn't great we went to the Ashley estuary. Lots of birds - and the godwits are starting to come back! But birds all on the other side of the river, so not close enough really. This one flew in, and I was lucky enough to catch a couple of quick shots.

Have attached a couple of extras, one of a black fronted tern, and one of a wrybill plover - both endemic to NZ and endangered.