Kereru

This morning we were visited by a kereru; the native NZ wood pigeon. Initially it was in the big pohutukawa closest to the house. Stayed there long enough for me to get the Pentax, change the lens and go outside to get three or four shots; all in shadow.

It then flew the few feet to the nearby Mahoe (Whiteywood) tree. There, it had many many berries to eat, and did so. Until daughter J's large ginger cat (T(haddeus) Rex) spied it and came too close. It then flew back to the largest pohutukawa where it was again too much in shadow.

I was very pleased with this shot. The sky behind was cloud covered and grey.

Late this afternoon, after daughter C and sons had returned to Auckland, and the rest of the family were resting, I picked up the Pentax and long lens and went for a gentle jog along the roads and down to the beach to go around the points from Algies Bay to Snells Beach. Some reasonable shots of some of the many resident herons.

I then noted a small bird flying out to perch on some rocks. Something about it made me think it might be a kingfisher, the kotare. Got close enough to see it was, whereupon it dived away and landed on nearby rocks. Managed to get close enough for a photo of the kotare with a small crab in its beak. Able to be seen in my blipfolio.

Tonight we were able to have our dinner on the deck with warm sunshine and the wind only gentle. Summer may have returned.