Zealandia

Zealandia is a natural species habitat in Wellington. It is fenced in and all the non-native species have been trapped and removed. Native species, such as Takahe and Kaka have been introduced and are doing quite well. In fact, I read a newspaper article that the Kaka are doing so well that locals have complained that they are flying out of the preserve and eating up the fruit trees in people’s backyards!

Zealandia

Zealandia

Kaka feeding

Zealandia

Zealandia

Zealandia

Takahe on the move

Zealandia

Close-up of a Shag (what we call a Cormorant in the US)

Zealandia

Zealandia

Native bush

Zealandia

It was very rainy in Wellington when we were there, but there was a brief reprieve while we were at Zealandia.

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland

We went on a Whale & Dolphin tour right out of Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour and saw Bryde’s Whales and dolphins on a beautiful day. I always love going on this trip as it provides a natural counter-balance to the urban environment of the city. Just a 4-5 hour round trip out into the harbour from downtown into such a different world!

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Auckland

Whale Watching in Nova Scotia

Whale Watching in Nova Scotia
 
 
Whale Watching in Nova Scotia

I have quite a back log of photos from a few recent trips. I spent 2 weeks in Nova Scotia and a few days in the Boston area in June. In July, we had family visit and took a few trips locally, down to Rotorua, and to Wellington. Here are some photos from a whale watching trip I took with my family. We left from Lunenberg and saw Fin and Humpback Whales. The above photos are of Fin Whales, the second longest animal in the world.

Below are photos of Humpback Whales.

I hope you enjoy the photos…

The white in the photo is the large pectoral fin, with the head being to the left, under water.

We didn’t see any breaching, but there is a nice series of shots of a Humpback tail. I have found that for whale photos (as well as for a lot of wildlife) using the option of multiple photos per shot is quite helpful.

Whale Watching in Nova Scotia

Whale Watching in Nova Scotia
Whale Watching in Nova Scotia
 
Whale Watching in Nova Scotia
 
humpback-tail.jpg