Walking Around the Mount with the Nikon Z9

tony
February 20, 2022
Bird Photography / mammals / New Zealand / travel / Wildlife

Photo of a Red-billed Gull on the lookout for Cicadas — Red-billed Gull on the lookout for Cicadas

We were lucky to recently spend a week at the beach at Mount Maunganui. It has been a regular summer break since the children were young but with the demands of Edin’s research and work it is some time since we could all be together at the beach. It was really lovely to do most of the old things together again, bouncing in the waves and body surfing, kebabs and date scones and, as always, regular walks around the Mount.

Photo of a Greenfinch harvesting flax seeds to feed a fledgling — Greenfinch (*Carduelis chloris*) harvesting flax seeds to feed a fledgling

There are always many photo options on a walk around the base track of the Mount /Mauao. As usual wildlife, and especially birds get most of our attention. There are usually a decent mix of native and introduced species following their routines.

Photo of a Common Myna — Common Myna (*Acridotheres tristis*)- they have stunning star-spangled eyes

The regular collection of feral Rock Pigeons have started breeding on a rock stack that provides lovely natural looking habitat reminiscent of their Atlas Mountain origins. While not very popular birds I have always had a soft spot for pigeons since keeping a loft as a child so enjoy watching them.

Photo of a Rock Pigeon nesting on a sheltered rock ledge — Rock Pigeon (*Columba livia*) nesting on a sheltered rock ledge

Rock pigeon squabs are probably some of the ugliest young birds but mature into beautifully proportioned flying machines.

Photo of Rock Pigeon with two squabs just out of the nest — Rock Pigeon with two squabs just out of the nest

Native birds are also well represented and encounters with Oystercatchers, Pied Shags and Gulls almost guaranteed.

Photo of a Variable Oystercatcher — Variable Oystercatcher (*Haematopus unicolor*)

Gannets pass by regularly and with luck will loop by close enough for a decent image.

Photo of an Australasian Gannet — Australasian Gannet (*Morus serrator*). Matakana island in the background

The holy grail is a Reef Heron which I have been lucky to photograph at the Mount a few times, including the index image for the species on NZBirdsOnline. This time there were none but we had a few encounters with a New Zealand Fur Seal, mostly resting unphotogenically but once he put on a nice show just after emerging from the sea.

Photo of a New Zealand Fur Seal/kekeno Arctocephalus forsteri — New Zealand Fur Seal/kekeno *(Arctocephalus forsteri)*

While none of the subjects or photos is especially stunning, it is lovely to have such a range of subjects on hand close to a relatively major urban centre.