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.
Today’s beach rubbish haul was an odd collection: polystyrene, a cassette from a typewriter(?), rubber hose from a motor vehicle.
The river mouth is a vast plain of sand and water. It’s around 10 hectares or 26 acres of beach playground.
You might think I took this photo yesterday BEFORE I filled the rabbit hole and stuck in a board to block it, but no, this is from this morning!
At the all-purpose entrance to our beach is sign overload. The two small signs below the speed limit sign were placed there illegally by a disgruntled local. Access to the beach here is across privately-owned land.
This Cynthia Erivo - “Stand Up” - Oscars 2020 Performance is just magnificent!
From the motion picture HARRIET, the Original Song “STAND UP” is written by Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo.
Next I need to watch the movie.
When there’s a lull in activity and I fancy sitting at the picnic table on the deck, the last thing I want is an active paper wasp nest underneath me. Glad I checked the bench. Fly spray does a good job at killing the wasps.
