VIEWS FROM THE ROAD: MOSTLY MOUNTAINS, RANGIORA TO LAKE PEARSON, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 11/4/2017

PUKEKO, NORTH CANTERBURY AREA, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

PIED SHAG OR PIED CORMORANT IN BREEDING PLUMAGE, NORTH CANTERBURY AREA, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

BRAIDED RIVER & MOUNTAINS, ASHLEY-RAKAHURI RIVER ESTUARY, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

BAR-TAILED GODWIT, ASHLEY-RAKAHURI RIVER ESTUARY, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

MALE YELLOWHAMMER, ASHLEY-RAKAHURI RIVER ESTUARY, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a male Yellowhammer by its bright yellow head; dark streaks on crown; two dark smudges on the face, one behind the eye and the other below the eye near the neck and a short conical bill..

   The Yellowhammer is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 750.

BREEDING MALE BANDED DOTTEREL, ASHLEY-RAKAHURI RIVER ESTUARY, NORTH CANTERBURY, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this plover as a breeding male Banded Dotterel (or Double-banded Dotterel) by its dark, grey-brown back; distinctive white chest with a narrow band of black just below the neck running across the chest along with a broad chestnut band underneath and sturdy black bill.

   The Banded Dotterel is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 749.