Some people oppose the use of 1080 for poisoning the many introduced predators that eradicate our native birds. They should visit Kāpiti Island and see how amazing this land could be if we got rid of all the stoats, rats, possums and other pests. Kaka in a tree.
This is more of a saved bookmark for me: Proper Technique for Paddling a Kayak.
The proper technique for paddling a kayak …. By developing good technique, you will not only paddle more efficiently, but be safer on the water.
I don’t go tramping in the bush, but the easily accessible forests and bush are silent. There’s no city / traffic noise, to be sure, but it’s very quiet. When we stepped off the boat onto Kāpiti Island there was birdsong everywhere! Volume up!
Another interesting Tom Scott video: Sentences Computers Can’t Understand, But Humans Can. Humans can work out the ‘it’ in a sentence like “I spread the cloth on the table in order to protect it” but machines can’t because they don’t have the breadth of knowledge or experience.
The takahē is a very cool bird. Of only 418 in the world two live on Kāpiti Island. They’re big (about 3 Kg) and were thought extinct for 50 years.
the largest living rail in the world.
The population stood at 263 at the beginning of 2013. … In 2019, it increased to 418.
After a weekend of wandering the trails on Kāpiti Island looking for birds I find today I need a rest. Here are a Korimako (Bellbird) and a Toutouwai (North Island Robin).
North Island Robins are so obliging. They come down to the track to get the insects you disturb by walking around. They’re bold and they stick around.
When the bird you’re trying to get a photo of is high in a tree so you’re craning your neck for a while, it’s easy to lose your balance afterwards. It’s hard to see, but this is a little native Whitehead. I’ve never seen one before.
Can you see Australia? Me either. It’s over there somewhere though, several thousand kilometers away. Taken on today’s walk to the top of a loop track at the north end of Kapiti Island.
The bird life on the Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is phenomenal. That’s what can happen when predators are removed. The forest is loud when native birds are allowed to flourish. We heard Little Spotted Kiwi in the night.
This Kereru sat quietly on an eye level branch about a metre away from me. They’re large and beautiful birds which live about 4km from us at home but haven’t made it to Waikawa Beach itself.
Luckily it’s a warm day for a trip to Kapiti Island. The boat ride took 10 minutes.
On Kapiti Island the hills are covered with bush and there are so many birds! This weka was hanging round the picnic table.
Looking south from our deck we can see the neighbour’s house, and the hill that marks the boundary between Horowhenua and Kāpiti. Apart from the green lupins, everything is brown because of the recent warmth and the ongoing dry.
Thank you so much to all the many folks who’ve sent birthday wishes. What a wonderful thing to wake up to on this sunny and warm summer day. It’s shaping up to be a great day and a great year! 🥳
I was late to rise and slow to breakfast. 😎
This time last year I came to watch the sunset the evening before my 64th birthday. I decided to do it again as I turn 65 tomorrow. It’s a great way to close out a great year where I’ve achieved some things I’m very happy with.
After listening to an interview on a podcast, I decided to try this free course The Science of Well-Being by Yale University. Others may be interested to give it a go too.
you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase happiness and build more productive habits
Weather willing, our weekend destination is Kāpiti Island. I hope to walk to the top, and to see interesting native birds, including Little Spotted Kiwi.
There comes a time when a cone no longer has a strong attachment to its tree.
Luckily my kayak fits in the car. I drove to the footbridge today where the water was green, rather than brown for a change. Then I kayaked upriver for half an hour. With the tide going out, I sat back and made a wee video of the quiet. I think the thumps are tidal ripples.
