Royal Spoonbill at Western Springs
The spoonbills seem to enjoy their stay at Western Springs. The high skeleton tree is a particular favorite, the higher the better!
Auckland - West
Mainly West of Queen Street - seen through my lens
Category: Western Springs (page 2 of 5)
In the Willows
We went for a walk around Western Springs, yesterday. The tree that used to be full of shags had been claimed by a flock of Royal Spoonbills, some resting in the shrubbery, some apparently gathering twigs. The last (and only) time that I saw spoonbills at Western Springs was 11 years ago.
These birds can look so comical!
A Commotion of Royal Spoonbills
Royal Spoonbill
Giant Spear Lily
The Giant Spear Lily (doryanthes palmeri) is a native of Australia. The plants are huge, agave-like rosettes, and the flowering stalk can reach 3 metres, curving over elegantly under its weight. This plant is just starting to flower at Western Springs.
Pukeko
It came running down the slope at full speed, crossing the path, disappearing in the shrubbery by the edge of the lake, where it got a hero’s welcome. The pukeko (swamphen, porphyrio porphyrio) had found a morsel and delivered it to a couple of youngsters sheltering in the thicket. Western Springs.
Swan Family, Western Springs
Whether single file or as a phalanx, this family of swans at Western Springs asserts its presence.
Swan Family, Western Springs
Coot and Chick
From my visits to Western Springs. Coot parents seem tireless providers of sustenance to their chicks. (These are Australian Coot (or Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra), different from American coots).
For more black and white images check out Dragonstar’s Weekend in Black and White.
For more weekend reflections, go to James’ Weekend Reflections site.
The Controller
Making sure the buses run on time – or just recording the delays? At Western Springs.
Coot and Chicks
The Australian Coot (or Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra) is a self-introduced species (did they really cross the Tasman Sea? — or maybe they hitched a ride on a ship), protected in New Zealand, their numbers on the rise (they arrived in the fifties). These pictures are from Western Springs, where there are a good number of them all year round.
For several weeks after hatching, the chicks have this unreal coloration, which gradually becomes a drab grey, and eventually turns black with the white facial shield.
Defending the Territory
Cygnet Growing up
Fancy hairstyles are not confined to human teenagers. A fun moment at Western Springs. (He grows it where I lost it…)
In Step
… the pukekos cross the road? And why in perfectly synchronized step? — Rhetorical questions, unless you have the answers for me!
Pukekos (Porphyrio porphyrio) are NZ native swamphens, and capable of comical stances which have also been exploitet in commercials, as for example here and here.
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