A break in the bleak, wet weather saw me head out to parts unknown. My destination was Heretaunga Park in Upper Hutt.
I was not disappointed in my time spent wandering in the fresh, cold air. The sun was out at times and the breeze only felt in more exposed spots.
Upstream I came upon these two who appeared to be sleeping in the middle of the water.
NZ Shovelers
I suspect they could rest on the stony bed. The male was very protective of his female and kept his sharp eye on me at all times.
These are New Zealand Shovelers (Kuruwhengi), endemic to my country. Their beaks are much wider and longer than their more common duck friends.
There were plenty of Mallard ducks and as I sat watching the water and the ducks this handsome fellow came very close to watch me.
Another couple were shaking their tail feathers displaying such an array of patterns and colours on their feathers.
This couple were snoozing on the very edge of the pool, perhaps cooling their heels?
No sign of ducklings yet but winter has bitten hard since early July. However this willow was just putting out its fresh, new, fragile leaves.
A very different bird call drew my attention and across the stream were these brightly coloured birds. The Eastern Rosellas that I have been searching for, for a long period of time. A small flock were in the trees and in a flurry of feathers two of this group flew down to the pool on the other side of the stream and proceeded to have very energetic baths.
So much movement and droplets spraying and flapping.
A Tui joined them here.
In a whoosh they all left and I heard the call of a Paradise Shelduck away across the soccer field. The walk was well worth it as I came across this Magpie, who was on the move away from me to join another off in the distance.
The male Shelduck was honking in his deep, monotonous way but no reply came while I was there.
High above him in the bare, wintery trees were more Eastern Rosella (In NZ from cage-escaped birds. Also found in Eastern Australia).
After taking some more photos I turned and my eye was caught by the heavy flight of a Kereru.
Here is this beauty having a nibble in a Kowhai tree which is almost flowering.
And here is the Kereru showing off its brilliant whiter than white undergarments…..perhaps pantaloons or long legged bloomers!
With the light beginning to dip and illuminating the flaxes I headed for the car and home.
Although I did stop and take this photo to illustrate that early spring is beginning….
ordinarygoodness 
Lovely to see signs of spring with you. The first tinges of autumn are appearing here! Those Eastern Rosellas are show-stoppers, even though they are escapees!! Lovely pics.
Thanks Jo. I was thrilled to find such a variety of birdlife in a very small area. Those Eastern Rosellas are Aussie cousins but they are apparently colonising around the area very well. They are gorgeous. I hope for a monopod for Xmas which will assist with better focus on maximum zoom on my new camera. But today I will sleep happily with my collection of images from the afternoon. I hope you get a lovely Indian summer and we get an early, warm spring. It is bitter tonight again……
Lovely that you are out and about with the birds. The kereru are so delightful.
Thanks. It was so good to get outdoors. And all those birds were an unexpected treat. I adore Keruru
We have a lovely day today. Hoping to get out, though the day is disappearing on me fast.
The sun has shone all day here but the wind is icy. We ambled about the local man-made lake and watched the water fowl having a good clean and a wash and dry:-)
Yes, the wind was cold here, too, so I was not out for long.
Scurrying in out of the wind is the name of the game here too.
Lynley, this will make you laugh. The birdsong from late afternoon into early evening has been wonderful lately. Yesterday I stepped out to see which birds were responsible. I discovered it was not birds, but one blackbird making enough noise for 10 birds.
Ha ha. Lovely. Mr Blackbird can have volume and capacity. I think I heard Mr Thrush early this morning.
Mr Blackbird’s song must be appreciated because I saw a male and female scratching up my planter box this morning.
Lol….they are good at scratching about in all manner of spots.
What a wonderful, bird-filled walk! It’s always so rewarding when we make the effort to get outdoors, despite the weather. You have captured them beautifully on your camera.
Thanks Juliet. I had no idea of the treats that awaited me at a very simple park area.