29 December 2015

Whio family, Pohangina headwaters

On Boxing Day I walked down the Pohangina river from Leon Kinvig hut to Ngamoko hut. The river was gorgeously limpid but many crossings were swift and powerful; fortunately, the deepest (almost reaching my waist) were slower. One small gorge, however, requires either floating — something I wasn't prepared to do on my own — or a steep climb, traverse, and descent along an overgrown track.

I'd almost reached the riverbed at the end of this track when I heard a whistle and knew instantly this is what I'd been hoping for. The track at that point skirts a near-vertical drop, and, looking down, I could see the deep green pool where the river exits the gorge.

Swimming in the pool was a family of whio: the two adults and five chicks.

I photographed them from above then carried on down to the riverbed and continued photographing as they swam slowly into the gorge. They allowed me time for only a handful of photographs, but I'd be a true grinch to complain about having just a few minutes to enjoy the sight of these wonderful birds.



All content © 2015 Pete McGregor
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10 comments:

  1. Unknown29 December 2015 at 21:37

    A beautiful photo, Pete. So glad you got to see a whio family - an excellent Christmas gift.
    Best wishes, Megan

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  2. Avus29 December 2015 at 22:08

    I did a double-take when I read that quite casual reference to a river crossing up to your waist - on Boxing day!? Then I remembered that your seasons are back to front compared to the UK. I guess you did not come out wreathed in ice, after all!
    Great image, Pete. Worth the trouble.

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  3. Relatively Retiring30 December 2015 at 02:47

    What a lovely Christmas gift for you. I bet they had been hanging about there for ages, waiting for you.

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  4. pohanginapete30 December 2015 at 08:41

    Thank you, Megan.I'd love to go back in to see if I can find them again and spend more time with them.

    Avus, doing that walk down the river in mid-winter would be risky — the two biggest killers in the NZ mountains are rivers and hypothermia, and a trip then would combine both those risks. On a warm summer's day like this one, even a waist-deep wade isn't too unpleasant.

    RR, I'd like to believe they were waiting for me. It seems only fair — I've spent plenty of time by evening rivers, waiting for them.

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  5. Ruahines30 December 2015 at 12:06

    Kia Ora Pete....stoked for you e hoa! That is so cool. Happy to report saw several pair on the Maropea as well.
    Robb

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  6. pohanginapete30 December 2015 at 14:18

    Kia ora Robb. That's great news that they seem to be doing well in the Maropea, too. Pairs should have chicks at this time of year, though, so I hope they haven't lost their broods.

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  7. Zhoen31 December 2015 at 10:07

    Gifts are all about being able to see the gift. I'm all for them waiting for your arrival.

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  8. pohanginapete31 December 2015 at 12:12

    Zhoen, I'll go with that :-)

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  9. Jono1 January 2016 at 15:52

    Hey Pete. Sounds like you had a good trip. Hopefully some of those 5 can survive to adulthood. I bet it was a nice day to be travelling down (and in) the Pohangina.


    Will be in touch about a tramp sometime, probably not for a month or so now :(

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  10. pohanginapete1 January 2016 at 21:47

    Jono, it was an excellent trip. Managed by best photograph so far of a deer, too (still far from great, but pleasing nevertheless).
    That timing suits me better. It'll depend on what's happening at work, but the chances of getting away should be better in a month.

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