After last week’s Blue Duck venture to Turangi, I thought that I would share a few more Tongariro river photos. The primary aim was Blue Ducks but there are always more things to find. For birders the Tongariro river is well known as a Blue Duck destination but globally it is probably best known as one of the world’s premier destinations for flyfishers in search of large lake run Rainbow Trout. In fairness it is the major reason I have now lived half my life in New Zealand. As a flyfishing addict in my late 20’s New Zealand was the holy grail. On arriving I had the strange feeling that I had come home despite never having been in New Zealand previously. As time passed my toes grew deeper into the volcanic soil and now the lush green forests, clear rivers and South Pacific Ocean sustain my soul like nowhere else. 

I have spent happy hours fishing the Tongariro River but not for some time. It is stunningly beautiful but tends to be crowded with visiting pilgrims which is not what I look for in a flyfishing river. With time I have realised that what I enjoy most about flyfishing is the places where it happens. Being out in the wild is more important to me than catching fish and I now find that hunting images of birds in those places more rewarding than fishing.

Blue Ducks can be hunted outside of the crowd and are lovely to watch. A couple of images in this post show how well adapted they are to life in fast water scooting upstream against the rapid flow.

Heading slowly upstream in the bush looking for more Blue Ducks we found a number of Bellbird/ Korimako (Anthornis melanura) and were lucky to find one feeding on Five-finger/ whauwhaupaku (Pseudopanax arboreus), which despite the low light gave a few nice images.

A trip to the Tongariro is worthwhile for many reasons and the chance to photograph Blue Ducks is only one of many. The steak and kidney pies in Turangi may be another!

All photos with Nikon D500 and Nikon 500mm f4VR lens.