Nature Watch New Zealand

I asked Maria yesterday that now she had been in NZ for 7 weeks what was the thing she was most impressed with, she said it was the beauty of the country. Maria Quote-

The coast line all  around both Islands is just stunning from Rocky striking shore lines on the North Island to soft sandy beaches on the south Island with nobody on them it’s just unbelievable .

The tropical palms next to blue fir trees, in gardens are beautiful.

The people are all so friendly and Helpful  with knowledge of the History of their country. It has been an amazing trip, and being with David was the icing on the cake.

Well what was the specialness of the nature here,  a picture tells a thousand words so I will add some pics.

Maria Standing on Kauri tree stump the tree was made into100 man war canoe

Ford Cortina MK 1 1961  Same car that I went with Ronnie Wooldridge to Costa Brava Spain in 1963

There was however one experience where we were not allowed to take pictures and it was last night.

We went to a blue penguin colonyZealand and saw the penguins come in from the sea in groups that are called rafts. We had about 180 come  ashore and we saw them then waddle up to their nesting areas where they were greeted by their mates who had been sitting on the egg all day.  The blue penguin is one of three penguin species that live in NZ and they stand about 10” tall. They live on average to 10 but they can live to 25. We were told that they paired for life and that there was only about a 5%  divorce rate. I told the lady why this was the case and it is because the male has a very low testosterone levels. She was quite shocked that a non-country man would have such knowledge of country matters. I just smiled. The lady did go on to say however that the penguins are very sociable, whatever that means!!!

I did think that the whole bit of being a penguin was not that great.

 They must see other birds flying about when all they can do is waddle, sit on eggs and swim in all weathers. I remember a few years ago I thought about a penguins lot and managed to find this old poem that I thought I would share with you,.

 The penguin

Why was I born a penguin, a bird would have been my wish

I should be able to fly but my wings were made for a fish

I try to walk up straight and proud, but my feet are blue with cold.

It makes me waddle, side to side, some say I look quite bold.

We would all like to get away you see,  life is not much fun.

Cold and wet the wind does blow, I slip and fall on my bum

We’re all black and white, when the rest of the worlds gone colour

I never know who’s mum or dad my sister or my brother.

I was told we should have fur, when the skins were handed out.

What did we get, but feathers in the cold they count for nought.

To top this plight of the penguin were officially now a biscuit.

Depressed I feel, you bet I do if I had a nose I’d pick it.

Shag taking off

By David