24 December 2015

End-of-year kereru

It seems fitting that one of the final photographs of 2015 should not only be from the No. 1 Line track, where I seem to have spent an increasing amount of time, but of a bird — the older I get, the more I'm thrilled by time spent in the company of birds and other animals. This kereru startled me when it flew from its perch close to where I was ambling down the track yesterday, but it landed nearby and allowed me some photographs. Not much light under the canopy, but the compensation was the lovely background colour.

I'm off for a few days in the Ruahine. The weather's looking good, and I hope that when I return, I'll have more photographs to share — including some of birds. Merry Christmas, everyone :-)

All content © 2015 Pete McGregor

5 comments:

Lisa said...

A beautiful image of the loveliest bird. Merry Christmas, Pete - and thank you for all you have shared with us throughout 2015. Have a wonderful trip in the Ruahines - may you meet with good company (animal, insect and human!)and enjoy warmth on your face and good light for photographs :-) We are expecting a remarkable 18 degrees on Christmas Eve - and I keep thinking how much you would love this soft, winter light.

Avus said...

Good photograph, Pete. Thanks for sharing such over the past year. Enjoy the Ruahine and I will add, enjoy the warmth on your back, to Lisa's comments above. All the Best.

pohanginapete said...

Lisa, thank you — not just for the lovely comment, but for everything you and the family shared with me. I'm looking forward to catching up with you all when you return, but in the meantime I'm trying to restrain my envy about all those animals and birds you're getting to enjoy over there. Still, with a little luck I might be able to renew my acquaintance with the whio in the Pohangina headwaters some time over the next few days. Merry Christmas to you all :-)

Avus, thank you, and I hope your wish for some warmth comes true — but not too much! I have a mountain range to climb this afternoon, and I don't want to fry. (Right now it's heavily overcast but mild — ideal conditions — so I hope that continues.) Season's greetings, and enjoy your early Christmas present ;-)

Zhoen said...

I think these are my second favorite of your birds. The Kea will always have my fondest heart, if only because they are so intelligent. Kereru are so fluffily elegant and self assured, I can but fall to my knees in obeisance.

pohanginapete said...

Zhoen, they'll take as much obeisance as you can offer (and will probably expect more).

I do love kea, but seldom get the chance to see them (I live in the wrong island).