Muriwai: White-Fronted Terns
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
While the main attraction — bird-wise at least — of Muriwai are the gannets, there is more birdlife: gulls (red billed and black backed), and terns (white fronted), as well as tui, blackbirds, finches, starlings …
Above we see a flock of white fronted terns (sterna striata) swarming into the distance. They are courting at present, often carrying a little fish in their beak as offering to their mate. The picture below was taken at Shelly Beach, on the Kaipara Harbour.
White Fronted Terns
From Waikowhai Lookout
The view from Waikowhai Lookout over the Manukau Harbour towards Ambury Farm Park and the volcanic Mangere Mountain.
Check out the Manukau Coastal Walks.
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Winter Tree
Blue sky, criss-crossed with branches of a young plane tree. And a couple of sparrows
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Winter Pruning
Leafy avenues are an asset – but they require some looking after. As rain clouds threaten, the arborists of Treescapes do the necessary maintenance of the plane trees in Seabrook Avenue, New Lynn, removing dead branches, shaping the trees and reducing the tangle of past growth. Careful maneuvering is required to get between the branches and to avoid the power lines. The men in their abseiling gear are fun to watch.
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Little Shag (Phalacrocorax Melanoleucos)
Our skies were rather grey recently – featureless above and below the horizon. Luckily I found an interesting subject to stand out on this background when I visited Cornwallis the other day. This Little Shag (Little Pied Cormorant for Australians) was unusually cooperative, letting me approach quite close. As I walked back from the end of the wharf, I met it again and got the picture below.
Little Shag (Phalacrocorax Melanoleucos)
Just after Sunrise
I went to French Bay, Titirangi, to see the early morning light. Half an hour after sunrise, the sun disappeared behind this big sheet of cloud, leaving just the glow and the reflections.
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Sunday Afternoon at Piha Beach
From last Sunday’s walk along Piha beach. looking almost directly into the sun.
A Skywatch Friday photo. More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
