The Otago Peninsula

I know Blippers living in New Zealand - and others who’ve visited - have warned me that selecting photos is likely to be impossible, but today’s experience has made that even more evident. 

Our excursion to the Otaga Peninsula is breathtaking. Not only is the weather stunning yet again, but both the scenery and wildlife is just gorgeous. 

We drive through Dunedin, its grey dourness looking anything but in the bright sunshine, and soon find ourselves in quaint coastal settlements of stilt-built houses amongst beautiful gardens. 

We’re heading for Nature’s Wonders, high above Taiaroa Head, where we travel over this privately owned estate in fat-wheeled open buggies, down to a rocky cove surrounded by impossibly blue sea. Here we watch a colony of New Zealand fur seals, with whole nurseries of new pups frolicking in rock pools, shapeless little black jelly beans splashing in the water and slithering over rocks. They’re watched over by a large bull seal sitting proudly on the rocks, while some pups spot their mums and wail noisily, crawling over to them and pestering until they’re fed. 

 I spot a black oyster catcher flying by and find him perched on rocks behind the sea grasses, a gorgeous creature with the same bright beak and eyes of our more familiar black and white variety. 

Dragging ourselves away, we rock and roll along to the next destination where we’re led silently along a steep passageway in single file to have a privileged peek at fluffy little blue penguin chicks - their blue eyes trustingly meeting our gaze as we gasp silently in wonder. No photography is allowed for obvious reasons. 

Looking away from the holes in the cliff face, we gaze upon the vast sandy bay below. There, in the distance, is a tiny lone figure; to our amazement, it’s a Yellow-Eyed Penguin, one of the world’s rarest variety. Apparently there are only 4000 left in the wild, and this individual seems both alone and confused (although undoubtedly there are others in this quiet, protected haven) as he wanders about until eventually seeming to remember he’s looking for the sea and heads off towards the water. Like all penguins, progress on land is rather lumbering and amusing to watch, but once he reaches the water he quickly reverts to his horizontal swimming mode and is quickly off, joyous in his natural element. He’s so far away, he’s really beyond the limit of my 600mm lens - which, despite its weight - I’m glad I’ve brought with me. 

It’s been a wonderful experience, but now it’s back to the ship, though beautiful views and a brief tour of handsome Dunedin - though sadly it’s most-photographed-building-in-New-Zealand train station is smothered in scaffolding. 

Our sail out takes us back along the shores of the Otago Peninsula in glorious evening sunshine, and we look out for albatrosses as we reach Taiaroa Head. Sure enough, there they are: Royal Albatrosses in the only land-based breeding colony in the world. They sit as if posing, white again st the vegetation, their distinctive bills clearly visible, while others soar majestically above the lighthouse. 

What an incredible day! 

So hard to select a single shot. I’m tempted by the lone penguin, but the quality’s not really there, so my main’s a fur seal resting on a rock platform (best large on black if you have time) with a collage in extras. 

A couple of links below if you’re interested in the penguin or the albatrosses. 

https://albatross.org.nz/royal-albatross/


https://www.penguinsinternational.org/2020/01/21/yellow-eyed-penguins-one-of-the-rarest-penguins-in-the-world/