Queen Charlotte Drive provides some spectacular views of the Queen Charlotte and Mahau Sounds.
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| Mahau Sound, Marlborough NZ Pentax K-3, Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 @ 35mm, f/8 1/200 |
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| Havelock, Marlborough NZ Pentax K-3, Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 @ 35mm, f/8 1/200 (stitched panorama) |
Apart from the scenic lookouts, we also stopped at a location near Havelock where we spotted some Variable Oystercatchers on the mudflats and I finally got to see a bird that exemplified this species' name. Most of this species are all black but some have mottled black and white undersides (like this individual) and others are hard to distinguish from the South Island Pied Oystercatcher.
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| Variable Oystercatcher, near Havelock, Marlborough NZ Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11 1/125 |
Jo found some New Zealand Pigeons high in the trees across the road.
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| New Zealand Pigeon, near Havelock, Marlborough NZ Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11 1/125 |
As we were about to leave, a Tui flew into the flax plant right beside us.
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| Tui, near Havelock, Marlborough NZ Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x2 adaptor), ISO 400, f/11 1/160 |
...and we did get mussels for dinner in Havelock :-)
