Recently I was fortunate to go to Tiritiri Matangi in the harbour. It is a DOC reserve, one of the few predator-free areas in New Zealand. We can thank the hard work of many volunteers and DOC workers for having the privilege to enjoy such a precious environment. Going there is like traveling back in time, to how I would imagine Aotearoa would have been without human intervention. On Tiri reside many different bird species including rare and endangered birds such as kokako, hihi (stitchbird), tieke (saddleback), takahe, spotted kiwi, just to name a few.
It is amazing walking through the bush and hearing so many different bird calls, choruses of korimako (bellbird), tieke giggling at you in whanau groups at every turn. Of course you cannot forget our tui, seem to revel in imitating any bird that is around them. Shy kakariki that try and hide from you as soon as they sense your presence and little popokotea (whitehead) that twitter around in hyperactive clusters.
This photograph of Rangitoto viewed above ti (cabbage trees of different varieties) reminds me of the cover image of '200 years of New Zealand Painting.' The lush regenerating bush is a result of hundreds of people and children contributing their time and energy to help to create this precious environment. There are so many birds on the island that it will be some time still before all of the trees are mature enough to provide food for all of the birds. To assist with this additional food is put out by the rangers and researchers.
I have further been inspired in my art making and now have personalities to add to the manu that are depict within my paintings. Unfortunately my own photographs are not the best. I don't think that National Geographic will come knocking for my photographic talents. I will have to go back sometime soon just to add to the experiences that I have already had there.
Recently I was fortunate to go to Tiritiri Matangi in the harbour. It is a DOC reserve, one of the few predator-free areas in New Zealand. We can thank the hard work of many volunteers and DOC workers for having the privilege to enjoy such a precious environment. Going there is like traveling back in time, to how I would imagine Aotearoa would have been without human intervention. On Tiri reside many different bird species including rare and endangered birds such as kokako, hihi (stitchbird), tieke (saddleback), takahe, spotted kiwi, just to name a few. 
It is amazing walking through the bush and hearing so many different bird calls, choruses of korimako (bellbird), tieke giggling at you in whanau groups at every turn. Of course you cannot forget our tui, seem to revel in imitating any bird that is around them. Shy kakariki that try and hide from you as soon as they sense your presence and little popokotea (whitehead) that twitter around in hyperactive clusters.
This photograph of Rangitoto viewed above ti (cabbage trees of different varieties) reminds me of the cover image of '200 years of New Zealand Painting.' The lush regenerating bush is a result of hundreds of people and children contributing their time and energy to help to create this precious environment. There are so many birds on the island that it will be some time still before all of the trees are mature enough to provide food for all of the birds. To assist with this additional food is put out by the rangers and researchers.
I have further been inspired in my art making and now have personalities to add to the manu that are depict within my paintings. Unfortunately my own photographs are not the best. I don't think that National Geographic will come knocking for my photographic talents. I will have to go back sometime soon just to add to the experiences that I have already had there.
