Windy Wellington treated us to two lovely days then the northerly gave us a taste of its strength.
Stephen Fox ably stood in for Simon Woolf who was too unwell to show us around.Donna took me to Otari-Wilton Bush with its native bush, alpine garden, 38 degrees garden, and huge old Rimu tree on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately the NZ falcons aren’t nesting yet.On Saturday morning Stephen took the three of us to the Karori Sanctuary where we were treated to a large family of paradise duck, whitehead, saddleback, rifleman, tui, North Island Robin, wood pigeon, and the ever present kaka. In the afternoon he drove us to the Waikanae estuary where we photographed spoonbills, dabchick, scaup, pied shags, and nesting mute swans then searched for dotterel on the beach without luck. From there we started back to town via the Pauatahanui Horokiri Reserve where we sighted many kingfisher.Sunday morning’s strong northerly confined us to the South Coast, then The World Press Exhibition at Takina.Many thanks to all the Wellingtonians who treated us to a wonderful weekend. Donna for her local knowledge and Simon and Stephen for their organisation and hospitality.Kath
