Wildlife April 2010

[johnw]

A big wasp!

johnw

[fredg]

Another big wasp  

Hornet?

[mark smyth]

Wasps have eyes on their head?

[Anthony Darby]

A good place to have them Mark.

[mark smyth]

wellll, the top of their head

[Roma]

Two small flocks of geese flew north this afternoon.  I thought they would all be gone by now.

[Anthony Darby]

wellll, the top of their head

Those are three extra (simple) ones Mark. They still have their two huge compound eyes at the sides of the head.

[David Lyttle]

 Today I visited the Royal albatross colony at Taiaroa head near Dunedin. The group I belong to was given a complimentary tour. The following pictures were taken from the viewing post ( an enclosed structure with glass windows) Not withstanding the less than ideal conditions for photography I am rather please on how the photos turned out. The photos show a sequence of an adult bird feeding its chick.

No pictures of the birds flying I am afraid there was not enough wind at the time for a good display. They have a 3 metre wingspan and are unsurpassed in their flying ability spending most of their time at sea in the Southern Ocean.

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, David.... a lovely set of pix..... amazing to get that through glass.
Stunning birds.

[David Lyttle]

Maggi ,

It was a great thrill seeing the adult feed the chick as these birds do not perform on any regular schedule. The photos are brought to you courtesy of some wonderful Nikon technology, not any skill on my part.

This picture is titled the "Rivera of the Southern Ocean" (that is how the albatrosses see it). Otherwise it might be mistaken for a cold, misty day at Taiaroa Head. Looking out in this direction it is open ocean all the way to Chile.

[TC]

Dave

Here is a flying shot I took in 2005 from the Monarch cruise boat off Taiaroa Head. I could not help but notice the Scottish involvement down there.  The guide pronounced "head" as "heed"

[Ragged Robin]

Dave, thanks for posting such great photos of the Albatross with chick - we visited the same spot many years ago and I remember an Albatross flying overhead - it was awe inspiring - the wing span is so huge but at the same time they are very graceful once in the air.  Watching them take off was something else   

[Anthony Darby]

Fantastic pics Dave and I do like that one Tom. Hope to visit this area in the not too distant future.

[David Lyttle]

Hi Tom,

A lovely picture of an albatross in flight; I will post a couple of pictures that I hope will bring back pleasant memories and encourage Anthony to visit.

The first shows the entrance to Otago Harbour and Taiaroa Head from  the opposite side of the harbour. The breakwater at the harbour entrance is another good place to see wildlife. The rare coastal plant Lepidium oleraceum ( Cook's scurvy grass) grows there.

The second picture shows the lighthouse and signal station at Taiaroa head with the cruise boat Monarch below.

[Anthony Darby]

A lovely picture of an albatross in flight; I will post a couple of pictures that I hope will bring back pleasant memories and encourage Anthony to visit.

Who said anything about visit David. One way ticket more like!