Birdwatching on Farewell Spit, New Zealand

Posted by ~~~Ann~~~ (Nelson, New Zealand) on 26 November 2009 in People & Portrait.

This photo was taken from an argo, an amphibious vehicle that takes birdwatchers across Farewell Spit to the seaward side where waders such as Godwits and Knots take refuge when the tide is high and there is no place to wade on the sheltered side. This refuge is, however, a most challenging environment. Wind velocity is extremely high, and the birds sit out the high tide in a vortex of blowing sand. Travelling by argo allows birdwatchers to get extremely close to groups of birds. Amazingly, they've grown used to seeing the vehicle and do not fly off. If you get out of the argo in the hopes of an even closer look, the birds instantly take flight. The provider of this marvelous tour is Farewell Spit Ecotours. To see the birds we saw, take a look at yesterday's picture and check again tomorrow.

My Spotlight, Spotlight Theme, Remixed, and Hot photos | Contemplative photos

Photos tagged nz by aminus3 photographers
Photos tagged newzealand by aminus3 photographers

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 License.