GARDEN'S ALONG MANAWATU RIVER, FOXTON BEACH, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

WHITE-FACED HERON, MANAWATU RIVER, FOXTON BEACH, NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

VIEWS FROM THE ROAD, TURANGI TO FOXTON BEACH, NEW ZEALAND

STEAM RISING FROM THERMAL POOLS, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

SHINING CUCKOO, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a Shining Cuckoo by its white cheeks, underparts and short tail barred with dark green, black downcurved bill and dark green wings.

   The Shining Cuckoo is a summer migrant to New Zealand, where it is common.  

   The Shining Cuckoo is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 738.

NEW ZEALAND DABCHICK OR WEWEIA, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

We can ID this grebe as a New Zealand Dabchick by its glossy black head; black, short, pointed bill; dark plumage; short, tufted white tail (this is very distinctive when looking at rear of bird) and bright eyes (in this lighting eyes look white, but are actually yellow).

   The New Zealand Dabchick is a member of the grebe family and is endemic to New Zealand. 

   The New Zealand Dabchick is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 737.

ROYAL SPOONBILLS IN FLIGHT, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND