Cliffs
We are standing on the Flat Rock, Muriwai, and on top of the cliff is one of the breeding sites of the gannet colony.
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Mainly West of Queen Street - seen through my lens
Category: Muriwai (page 1 of 4)
Buzzy Bee
Supersized version of an iconic kiwi children’s toy – this decorates the entrance to the Nikau Ridge Bed and Breakfast in Muriwai.
Algae on Rocks
Algal growth on rocks at Collins Bay, Muriwai.
The Lineup
An exercise in (photographic) gatecrashing. A few weeks ago I took part in a geological excursion (to study the pillow lavas of Maori Bay, Muriwai Beach). Around the time when we had finished (just after low tide), this wedding party appeared for a photo shoot. A great place for it, and beautifully presented people. Wishing them all happiness.
(If it was your wedding: I’ll be happy to send the shots on to you.)
Awesome Scenery
All Together Now!
Pillow Lava
Kiteboarding, Muriwai
A strong wind and plenty of waves dominate the scene as a kiteboarder zooms through the water at Muriwai Beach.
More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Location Signs: Muriwai Beach
At the entrance to the village of Muriwai Beach you are greeted by a sign highlighting a major attraction: gannets and terns. At the bottom of the road, where Motutara and Waitea Roads meet, a tiled sign announces that this area is a wildlife refuge.
This blog contains numerous posts about Muriwai.
Wildlife Refuge
Looking South
Yesterday morning we left home in bright sunshine, but by the time we had reached Muriwai, threatening clouds had come up. A last few hopeful rays of the sun, and then the showers came down.
We are looking south from the observation platform of the gannet colony, Maori Bay in the foreground.
There were about a dozen gannets at the colony, a long way off the 1200 breeding pairs we will see here in 1-2 months time.
More Skywatch images at the Skywatch Site!
Gannet Chick
There are plenty of gannet chicks growing up at Muriwai’s gannet colony. Lots of them are in their fluffy white coat as above, some are growing their wing feathers (wings getting heavy as a consequence, and drooping to the ground). A few of the birds have grown out of the fluffy stage altogether, while there are still some teeny ones, hatched no more than three weeks ago.
Gannet Chick
Gannet with Chick
Gannet Chick
Gannet Portrait, Muriwai
At Muriwai, home of the gannets.
It seems to me that this year the numbers of breeding gannets at Muriwai are up considerably, with birds nesting and breeding even between the viewing platforms.
Gannet in Flight
The gannet colony in Muriwai is a great place to visit and to watch the elegance of these birds in the air. In strong winds, especially, this is an exhilarating experience.
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
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