EUROPEAN GREENFINCH OR GREENFINCH, PARKLANDS MOTOR LODGE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a European Greenfinch or just Greenfinch by its green color and thick, conical  bill.

   The Greenfinch is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 736.

VIEWS FROM TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

BIRDING TOUR GROUP OBSERVING BLUE DUCKS, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

ADULT BLUE DUCKS & DUCKLINGS, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND, 10/30/2017

   We can ID this duck as a Blue Duck by its chestnut spotted breast, overall dark slate-grey color, pinkish-white bill with a black tip and yellow eyes.  The male is more chestnut spotted on the breast than the female.  Thus, in the first photo the male is on the right and the female on the left.

   The Blue Duck is endemic to New Zealand.  It is the only member of the genus Hymenolaimus. 

   These adult Blue Ducks have are watching over several of their ducklings.

   The Blue Duck is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 735.

SONG THRUSH, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

NEW ZEALAND PIGEON OR KERERU, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

TUI, TANGARIO RIVER RESERVE, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

VIEWS FROM THE ROAD FROM ROTORUA TO TURANGI,NEW ZEALAND

TE RITO NATIONAL WEAVING SCHOOL, TE PUIA MAORI CENTRE, ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

GEOTHERMAL GEYSERS, BUBBLING MUD POOLS & WATER POOLS, TE PUIA MAORI CENTRE, ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

   The seven photos after the description of the Pohutu geyser show this geyser.  The photo following these is of bubbling mud pool.  Several of the photos following this show water pools, some of which are hot enough to cook.  They are still used today by the Maori living at the centre.