Last Stop in Aotearoa

The Nelson Lakes National Park was the final destination on our travels through the South Island of New Zealand. The region is known for its large lakes with crystalline waters. In the winter, it also serves as a ski destination, nestled perfectly between the lakes and the surrounding alps. An excellent way to end our time in Aotearoa, and one of the very final places we had left to see here.

Keep an eye out for my blog posts over the next few weeks to see what I’ve been up to since moving all the way from New Zealand to the United States!

West Coast Wildlife

New Zealand’s West Coast is full of opportunities to observe the local wildlife - from the friendly South Island robins and curious weka, to crowded colonies of New Zealand fur seals. In this blog post, I have gathered only a few of my images of the fauna that inhabit this special corner of Aotearoa.

Kotuku Breeding Colony

The Kotuku, or White Heron (Egreta alba modesta), is commonly found across Oceania and Asia. However, they are not usually seen in their plumage, where they gain exaggerated wing feathers and a blue tint to their faces. There is only a single breeding colony of White Herons in New Zealand, located in the Waitangiroto Nature Reserve. Access is only possible with a guided White Heron Sanctuary Tour, as the land is under protection of the Department of Conservation. The tour is certainly worth it, as it is a pretty guaranteed way to view dozens of Kotuku pairs courting, nesting, and tending to their chicks. We were there during peak courtship time, and so also caught the full spectacle of the species’ breeding plumage. Our visit took place in mid-morning, meaning light was a bit harsh, although that did make for some very dramatic images.