http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/tags/waikanae/ Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:30:33 -0700 Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:30:33 -0700 http://www.flickr.com/ http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3181/buddyicons/31864021@N08.jpg?1229580505#31864021@N08 http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/tags/waikanae/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013364977/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013364977/" title="Kawau tui - Little black shag - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/7013364977_5b0e3a4414_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kawau tui - Little black shag - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris" /></a></p> <p>A small shag, wholly black with a greenish gloss. Dark edged feathers give a scalloped effect on the back. Long, slender, grey bill, dark facial skin, green eye, feet black. Immature similar but brownish. Can be confused with black-phased and juvenile little shags, but closer inspection reveals the difference. Little shags have short, stubby bills, yellow in adults, dark in juveniles, yellow facial skin and a noticeably longer tail than the little black shag.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:30:33 -0700 2012-03-25T13:48:21-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013364977 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kawau tui - Little black shag - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris <p>A small shag, wholly black with a greenish gloss. Dark edged feathers give a scalloped effect on the back. Long, slender, grey bill, dark facial skin, green eye, feet black. Immature similar but brownish. Can be confused with black-phased and juvenile little shags, but closer inspection reveals the difference. Little shags have short, stubby bills, yellow in adults, dark in juveniles, yellow facial skin and a noticeably longer tail than the little black shag.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington cormorant shag kapiti waikanae phalacrocoraxsulcirostris phalacrocorax littleblackshag kawautui http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867182780/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867182780/" title="life and death in a wetland"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/6867182780_a3a55a21ee_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="life and death in a wetland" /></a></p> <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:44:18 -0700 2012-03-25T13:04:24-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867182780 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 life and death in a wetland <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Steve Attwood blue newzealand sky cloud white canon landscape willow wellington kapiti wetland toetoe waikanae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867292938/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867292938/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/6867292938_9966ca47c8_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:55:34 -0700 2012-03-25T14:08:55-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867292938 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867290768/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867290768/" title="coming in to land - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/6867290768_ef5dd188ab_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="coming in to land - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:54:10 -0700 2012-03-25T14:07:39-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867290768 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 coming in to land - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867293890/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867293890/" title="Take-off - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6867293890_b78601608e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Take-off - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:56:10 -0700 2012-03-25T14:11:15-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867293890 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Take-off - Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013402717/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013402717/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7013402717_9787733af4_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:54:30 -0700 2012-03-25T14:08:26-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013402717 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867289454/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867289454/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/6867289454_c8877ff258_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:53:20 -0700 2012-03-25T14:07:38-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867289454 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867292264/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867292264/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6867292264_d0b2cbffb5_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:55:09 -0700 2012-03-25T14:08:33-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867292264 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867288904/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867288904/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7112/6867288904_3b0e0b3fdc_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:52:59 -0700 2012-03-25T14:07:33-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867288904 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867288530/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867288530/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7106/6867288530_a1befba521_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:52:45 -0700 2012-03-25T14:06:38-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867288530 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013398661/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013398661/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7013398661_eb8cfd2df2_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:52:04 -0700 2012-03-25T14:03:44-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013398661 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867291856/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867291856/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6867291856_3d0ddb5071_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:54:52 -0700 2012-03-25T14:08:29-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867291856 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867291592/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867291592/" title="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6867291592_45a5674190_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia" /></a></p> <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:54:42 -0700 2012-03-25T14:08:27-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867291592 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kotuku-ngutupapa - royal spoonbill - Platalea regia <p>Photographed at Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti Coast.<br /> Once a rare occasional visitor from Australia, Royal Spoonbills have now naturally self introduced and are breeding in various places throughout New Zealand. The spoonbill feeds on insects, shellfish, small fish and frogs. They are readily identified in the distance by the way they feed, walking and sweeping their spoon bill in an arc. They were known to the Maori as kotuku ngutu papa, the broad billed kotuku (white heron), so must have been visitors to New Zealand before European recordings.<br /> Also known as the Black-billed Spoonbill, this striking bird occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in New Caledonia. It lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects. It always flies with its head extended. When they are breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and red coloured patches appear on the face. A yellowish cream tinge also develops on the breast. Adults have a distinct yellow eye patch and a dark, wrinkly bill. Juveniles lack the eye patch and a smooth bill. The nest is an open platform of sticks in a tree in which the female lays two or three eggs. The chicks hatch after 21 days. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season. In Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife flight wellington kapiti spoonbill waikanae royalspoonbill platalearegia platalea kotukungutupapa http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867269042/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867269042/" title="Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7114/6867269042_d9d885b205_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius" /></a></p> <p>On the Waikanae Beach side of the Waikanae estuary there is a dead tree overhanging a large pond which has become a small shag colony with three Phalacrocorax species using it - pied shag, little shag and little black shag.<br /> One of New Zealand’s larger native cormorants (shags). The bill is pale, and facial skin yellow, the eye-ring blue. Immature birds have white underparts slightly mottled with dark. Feet black. Adults average 81 cm., 2 kg, black above, face from above eye and all underparts white except for black thighs, long grey bill, eye-ring blue, feet black. Although usually feeding only in coastal waters this cormorant does sometimes nest and feed inland. This bird was actively fishing in the freshwater lake at Zealandia, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington city, a comparatively short flight from the coast and was seen to take several small perch.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:40:11 -0700 2012-03-25T13:51:18-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867269042 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius <p>On the Waikanae Beach side of the Waikanae estuary there is a dead tree overhanging a large pond which has become a small shag colony with three Phalacrocorax species using it - pied shag, little shag and little black shag.<br /> One of New Zealand’s larger native cormorants (shags). The bill is pale, and facial skin yellow, the eye-ring blue. Immature birds have white underparts slightly mottled with dark. Feet black. Adults average 81 cm., 2 kg, black above, face from above eye and all underparts white except for black thighs, long grey bill, eye-ring blue, feet black. Although usually feeding only in coastal waters this cormorant does sometimes nest and feed inland. This bird was actively fishing in the freshwater lake at Zealandia, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington city, a comparatively short flight from the coast and was seen to take several small perch.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington cormorant shag kapiti waikanae phalacrocoraxvarius phalacrocorax piedshag karuhiruhi http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867269780/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867269780/" title="Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6867269780_b605a774c5_m.jpg" width="240" height="175" alt="Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius" /></a></p> <p>On the Waikanae Beach side of the Waikanae estuary there is a dead tree overhanging a large pond which has become a small shag colony with three Phalacrocorax species using it - pied shag, little shag and little black shag.<br /> One of New Zealand’s larger native cormorants (shags). The bill is pale, and facial skin yellow, the eye-ring blue. Immature birds have white underparts slightly mottled with dark. Feet black. Adults average 81 cm., 2 kg, black above, face from above eye and all underparts white except for black thighs, long grey bill, eye-ring blue, feet black. Although usually feeding only in coastal waters this cormorant does sometimes nest and feed inland. This bird was actively fishing in the freshwater lake at Zealandia, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington city, a comparatively short flight from the coast and was seen to take several small perch.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:40:35 -0700 2012-03-25T13:52:25-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867269780 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Karuhiruhi - pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius <p>On the Waikanae Beach side of the Waikanae estuary there is a dead tree overhanging a large pond which has become a small shag colony with three Phalacrocorax species using it - pied shag, little shag and little black shag.<br /> One of New Zealand’s larger native cormorants (shags). The bill is pale, and facial skin yellow, the eye-ring blue. Immature birds have white underparts slightly mottled with dark. Feet black. Adults average 81 cm., 2 kg, black above, face from above eye and all underparts white except for black thighs, long grey bill, eye-ring blue, feet black. Although usually feeding only in coastal waters this cormorant does sometimes nest and feed inland. This bird was actively fishing in the freshwater lake at Zealandia, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington city, a comparatively short flight from the coast and was seen to take several small perch.</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington cormorant shag kapiti waikanae phalacrocoraxvarius phalacrocorax piedshag karuhiruhi http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013388365/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013388365/" title="Shags on the Waikanae river"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/7013388365_fea1e29325_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Shags on the Waikanae river" /></a></p> <p>This group of shags (cormorants) is mostly comprised of Karuhiruhi (pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius) but there are a few kawau tui (little black shags - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:45:17 -0700 2012-03-25T13:59:08-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013388365 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Shags on the Waikanae river <p>This group of shags (cormorants) is mostly comprised of Karuhiruhi (pied shag - Phalacrocorax varius) but there are a few kawau tui (little black shags - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)</p> Steve Attwood newzealand bird nature canon wildlife wellington cormorant shag kapiti waikanae phalacrocoraxvarius phalacrocorax piedshag karuhiruhi littleblackshag kawautui phalacrocoraxsulcitrosis http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867215798/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867215798/" title="Common blue - Zizina otis labradus"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7259/6867215798_c6269a5083_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Common blue - Zizina otis labradus" /></a></p> <p>A gorgeous little butterfly photographed at Waikane estuary wetlands.<br /> Widespread, found in all of the North Island, Chatham Islands, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland and North Canterbury. It can become very common in some localities. It becomes more plentiful in late summer once numbers have built up throughout the summer. This is probably our most common butterfly, but its small size (about the size of a thumbnail) and flight close to the ground means it is probably the most overlooked butterfly too. It also occurs in Australia, Norfolk Island, Loyalty Islands, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:05:33 -0700 2012-03-25T13:10:32-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867215798 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Common blue - Zizina otis labradus <p>A gorgeous little butterfly photographed at Waikane estuary wetlands.<br /> Widespread, found in all of the North Island, Chatham Islands, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland and North Canterbury. It can become very common in some localities. It becomes more plentiful in late summer once numbers have built up throughout the summer. This is probably our most common butterfly, but its small size (about the size of a thumbnail) and flight close to the ground means it is probably the most overlooked butterfly too. It also occurs in Australia, Norfolk Island, Loyalty Islands, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands.</p> Steve Attwood blue newzealand flower nature yellow canon butterfly insect wildlife wellington kapiti commonblue waikanae zizina zizinaotislabradus http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867179988/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/6867179988/" title="life and death in a wetland"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/6867179988_0572a97992_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="life and death in a wetland" /></a></p> <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:42:31 -0700 2012-03-25T13:04:04-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/6867179988 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 life and death in a wetland <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Steve Attwood blue newzealand sky cloud white canon landscape willow wellington kapiti wetland toetoe waikanae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013293829/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013293829/" title="life and death in a wetland"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7013293829_25c88a9408_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="life and death in a wetland" /></a></p> <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:43:41 -0700 2012-03-25T13:04:12-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013293829 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 life and death in a wetland <p>As part of the restoration of the Waikanae wetland on the Kapiti Coast, exotic weed species such as this dead willow are being cut or poisoned out and replaced with natural plants. The dead skelton of the tree is a stark contrast to the lush native vegetation, here toetoe grass, that's replacing it.</p> Steve Attwood blue newzealand sky cloud white canon landscape willow wellington kapiti wetland toetoe waikanae http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013274687/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/stevex2/">Steve Attwood</a> posted a photo:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevex2/7013274687/" title="Kite surfer Waikanae estuary"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7013274687_81995d3e32_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Kite surfer Waikanae estuary" /></a></p> <p>While I was out photographing birds I enjoyed the skill of this kite surfer on a very windy day in a flooded Waikanae estuary - hence the dirty colour of the water.</p> Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:31:29 -0700 2012-03-25T12:18:33-08:00 nobody@flickr.com (Steve Attwood) tag:flickr.com,2004:/photo/7013274687 -40.875103 175.000426 -40.875103 175.000426 2350064 Kite surfer Waikanae estuary <p>While I was out photographing birds I enjoyed the skill of this kite surfer on a very windy day in a flooded Waikanae estuary - hence the dirty colour of the water.</p> Steve Attwood sea newzealand water sport speed canon coast wave estuary wellington recreation splash kapiti kitesurfer waikanae