william-harland's Favourites

Cambridgea annulata on orbweb of Eriophora pustulosa, with what looked like predatory intent. As an asides, the Cambridgea is not small. For some reason, all garden orbweb spiders on Chatham Island seem to be the size of a walnut!

Had the delight of this wee visitor for nearly 3 days. It is an 'Albino' or 'Leucistic' Silvereye.
The 2nd. photo has a normal colored silvereye on the higher branch and the albino waxeye on the lower branch.

I found this little juvenile silvereye in the green house, carried it outside and put it in the plum tree.

When I checked later I saw it being fed by the parent. While I was photographing later on I noticed it cuddled up to this young bellbird which then started either to feed it or was it doing something else? My request for ID really relates to the behaviour

A flock of about 15 of these Australian Crested Pigeons were resident in this location for several years but have have not been seen since 2014/15. Presumably originating from escaped captive birds but almost certainly breeding in the 'wild'. Attracted to the location by daily feeding by a local resident.

One of the photo opportunities we were most interested in at this location was the vulture photo blind which had been constructed nearby. King Vultures are regularly seen here ad we hoped for the chance to get some shots. I have seen King Vultures on numerous trips to southern Mexico and Central and South America dating back to the late 70s, but most of my views were of birds soaring very high in the sky. The species is known to be shy of people and can difficult to get close to.

Our guide obtains pig heads from a slaughterhouse in the region when he has clients such as Dave and me who are interested. These heads are put out in the early morning and hopefully by 9 AM or so the Black Vultures will find them which may attract one or more Kings.

The hide or blind is constructed into the ground so that the photos are taken at more or less ground level. You are shooting through optical quality glass in windows in order to lessen the disturbance to the birds and from the bird side of the glass only a dull reflection is seen. It is an incredible piece of construction and was designed very well.

To make a long story short, during our morning in this blind we had hundreds of Black Vultures and 6 Kings! Three adults and other younger birds of various ages. I have over 400 nice images, just a few which are here. It was quite an experience to see this magnificent bird up close and personal. At one point an adult King Vulture was within 5 feet of us....I took some cell phone shots!

Raining. Boots off to cross two hours before low tide. 10 burrows checked in 1 hour with endoscope, at least 10 fresh poops on island, cream colour with dark green component, 1 adult found in 'flax burrow' middle of island. Only 60cm into burrow. Three burrows are more than 1.5 meters deep. No rat sign.

Inatting with Caiden B & Saryu Mae & Lucy Dean
absolutely wonderful encouter!! juvenile came in ran around and chased the adult begging for food with the field of daisies being just suchh a pretty backdrop, chased each other for quite a while before the adult finally relented and barfed something in the juvie's mouth haha

This bird I did not recognise looked very out of place hanging around some rocks near shore. And as I suspected it is usually in fresh water. Still, I'm happy I could get some photos of this beautiful species.