These magnificent birds can be seen soaring in the skies above the centre.
A guided trip to a blind allows a good view of the nesting area. We watched a researcher as she approached a nest, the parent bird was not sure she/he approved. The parents take turns sitting on the nest while the other is out at sea hunting.
Here she had the chick, parent watches closely.
The chick is weighed and then returned to the nest. I could have spent all day but we had to make way for the next group.
After viewing the Albatross, we went to another area on the peninsula to see the Yellow-eyed Penguins.New Zealand is a great place for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere to visit in our winter. It is especially nice for those of us who prefer hiking to skiing.
Find more great views of the world at That's my World, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Sylvia.
25 comments:
Oh wow! How wonderful to be near and see such huge birds. Great post!
How terrific! What a great trip! And being able to see up close such wonderful, huge birds! Marvelous post, Martha!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
Thanks for the tour! What an interesting place with these creatures -- you are blessed to get to travel like you do.
What a great adventure Martha. Love the pics of the albatross parent watching so closely. New Zealand is on my list, maybe 2011. I'd rather hike someplace warm also.
Fabulous pictures! I like the one where the albatross is having a word with the researcher and also the yellow-eyed penguins look interesting.
These are beautiful pictures. I didn't realise how big these birds were.
Best wishes, CJ xx
Very wonderful snaps. The birds are huge.
What a treat! I knew albatrosses were large in terms of wingspan but seeing one close up to the researcher really gives a perspective to how large they really are!
Janice.
Oops I had to delete my first comment because I got mixed up with comment boxes. I enjoyed this post so much. Wonderful shots and amazing bird watching while the check is being measured.
looks like something i would enjoy doing...the birds are amazing.
have a fab week.
erin
I am not a serious bird watcher, but I am thrilled to see this post. What a great stop.
Wow, what a cool experience. The Albatross is a huge bird. I had no idea it was that big. Great photos and post.
They really are amazing birds. Thanks for the up close and personal.
Great animal photos! Interesting that the adult albatross complains but doesn't seem to make any threatening move toward the researcher.
Happy new year to you, Martha!
Looks like the trip of a lifetime to me! I had no idea the albatross were so large, and I am amazed it allowed the researcher to get so close.
To answer your question. We never know how much snow we will get here. . . last year it snwoed 20 days and we had over two feet of snow on ground for Christmas and it snowed again all day Christmas. This year, so far, it snowed one day and we got three inches and it lasted three days before the rains came and melted it all. I am hoping for more!
We've been to NZ as well and it is one of my most favorite places on the planet! Oh, the scenery, the fresh food, the people. But, we missed the albatross. There's never enough time to see it all.
I like how you travel! These are amazing shots of an amazing bird. You captured this beautiful creature in such a gentle way. Wonderful post.
These are lovely pictures :-)
- Pixellicious Photos
I always think of the Tale of the Ancient Mariner when I see an albatross. New Zealand is surely a wonderful place to visit any time of the year with incredible natural beauty on show anywhere you look.
Wow, I'm surprised the bird didn't attack her! What a lovely encounter.
I would love to visit here. Hope you have a wonderful 2010.
How exciting to read a post on Otago. Was born in Dunedin by the Otago peninsula and my father's family were some of the first settlers from Scotland on the Peninsula (Portobella). Would love to go back and visit. Have so many memories of the beautiful bays and birds.
It takes putting a person next to it to get a perspective of how huge these birda are! It's amazing that the parent let the researcher handle the chick.
Post a Comment