New Zealand wildlife part 1

Just a few shots of butterflies in New Zealand. Butterflies are my close third favourite photographic subject (after cetaceans and birds)

Yellow admiral butterfly (Vanessa itea)

Cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae)

Terceira Island, Azores archipelago

Below are a few photos from Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago. I was last there in 2019 and am looking forward to going back soon. The city of Angra do Heroísmo is full of beautiful historic buildings and there are lots of other little gems around the island.

Back in Brielle

Back in Brielle - having family here is not the only reason to visit this beautiful little corner of Holland.

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)

Great tit (Parus major)

The whales of the north coast

The place where I've seen the most whales in one place by far was the north coast of São Miguel Island. This area was known as a sperm whale hotspot by past whalers, and since those days the whales have enjoyed very tourism. The few times I was lucky to get out on the water in this hotspot I often saw gatherings of up to 50 whales together! 

 

One of the many mass gatherings of sperm whales I witnessed in the area

Sperm whale lobtailing

Dive sequence of a sperm whale

Sperm whale heads

And some Atlantic spotted dolphins for good measure