As I was returning home on Sunday this Royal Spoonbill glided down on to this tidal pond.
It “spooned” through the shallow water, sweeping with its bill left and right with some speed and skill and I watched a fish or two being caught and swallowed.
The bird was not happy with my presence once it heard my foot fall on the dry, crackly leaves and grass. Its flight away was magnificent to watch. Its broad white wings were strong and moved it through the air with apparent ease and grace, up and away to the greater safety of the Pauatahanui Inlet.
ordinarygoodness 
I just love those elegant birds – thank for sharing this special photo.
My daughter spotted the bird flying in and eased the car into the side of the road by the tidal pond. I was thrilled to have the camera with me and to get as close as I did.
I’ve not seen one in flight before and that was very special too.
BTW – are you high and dry in Christchurch? These floods are just heart breaking. The storm is here now but really it is just a southerly gale and plenty of rain. People closer to the southern coast of Wellington have had a rougher time of it.
Yes, thank you. We are okay, but many are not.
That is good news but as you say many are in dire situations.
What a magnificent bird, and how clever of you to catch it.
It is a beauty Juliet and what a happy coincidence that it was flying in as we neared the pond on the side of the road. The pond(and others near it) are fed by the tides of the Porirua harbour.
I did have to lurk behind a Pohutukawa tree to get some photos of the Spoonbill! Trying to creep closer did not work and away it flew.
lovely birds. We first saw them in a big flock up in the Far North, and didn’t know what they were
They are relatively new to me too. They like the Inlet at times. It seems that populations have grown over the years. I love their long head feathers and they look utterly magnificent in gliding flight with the sun on their wings.
What a wonderful looking bird
Isn’t it beautiful. There will be more photos and information here: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/royal-spoonbill
How beautiful is the bird but the calm and charm of the inlet are extra special. I would want to sit and gaze all day; so still, so blue.
What a lovely sight! I am not sure how common they are in New Zealand, but I would have been quite excited! 🙂
It is a magnificent bird Jo. A relation to the Ibis. They seem to be establishing good population bases in New Zealand possibly thanks to all the wetland conservation.
I was very excited to be up close and personal with this one as they tend to be out of zoom range on the point and shoot:-)