larusnz's Identifications

several banded dotterels on the drier parts of the Ashley estuary now. Unlike a few weeks ago now more in pairs rather than in groups of males. Several birds nesting. This female had built her nest among a pile of driftwood, it was very well hidden.

The waterfall pond at Ohau Stream Kaikoura is justifiably famous for its seal pups in winter. I discovered that it is, from a camera's point of view, an extremely dark place making photography difficult in spite of the close proximity of the pups. I was interested to observe that the whole pool of pups suddenly and rapidly vacated with much alarm calling. It looked like a shark response which,of course, was imposible, but something startled those pups out of the water - an eel, shadow, stick perhaps?

The waterfall pond at Ohau Stream Kaikoura is justifiably famous for its seal pups in winter. I discovered that it is, from a camera's point of view, an extremely dark place making photography difficult in spite of the close proximity of the pups. I was interested to observe that the whole pool of pups suddenly and rapidly vacated with much alarm calling. It looked like a shark response which,of course, was imposible, but something startled those pups out of the water - an eel, shadow, stick perhaps?