A rather chilly, but very beautiful day to be out on the water in the wildlife capital of New Zealand (Dunedin). On this mid-winter afternoon I enjoyed a Monarch Wildlife cruise and spotted plenty of seabirds and some dusky dolphins. Seeing the albatross gliding in the end of day golden hour light was a real bonus.
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Soaking up the warm colours of autumn around the Dunedin area. Perfect light for capturing flowers, butterflies and birds.
Two more wish list items ticked off - visiting Kapiti Island and seeing a (very rare) kokako. This elusive bird was almost lost to New Zealand's forests, but thanks to conservation efforts, a small number of populations remain in a few locations with few or no predators. These phantom birds have such a haunting melody that is difficult to forget once you've heard it once. I was lucky to encounter several other endemic bird species on Kapiti Island, including the takahe, which is another rare endemic species that was thought to be extinct for 50 years before being rediscovered!
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Zealandia is New Zealand's first predator-proof fenced ecosanctuary and is located in the heart of Wellington. Just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of the capital, you can immerse yourself in native bush that is teeming with New Zealand's rare and endangered species. Some have even increased in abundance over the fence in Wellington and its surrounds, as predator control efforts are starting to have a positive impact.
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