Protected Parrot

During our mountain hike at the Sanctuary Mountain Bird Sanctuary, in New Zealand, Cory and I came across these parrots, known in New Zealand as Kakas. Kaka, is the Maori word for parrot. We found the Takahes, in the lowland marshes of this sanctuary, see other post. This portion of the tour was a lot more physically exerting. This was the mountain of Sanctuary Mountain.

There were several paths we could have gone and of course Cory wanted to walk them all. Of course Cory wanted to do the most strenuous, off the beaten path hike that was mapped out in our little guide. Cory always says that animals are illusive and generally try to avoid people. He says we should go in early, early, mornings or late at dusk to get the most animal activity. He also says that we have to go off the beaten path away from most people, because animals don't like a lot of people. Despite this all of our experiential evidence points to the contrary, with some possible exceptions. We found Bison all over crossing streets, Mountain Goats, and Big Horn Sheep basically at the National Park Visitor Centers, countless birds of prey just off highways, etc. This time was no different.

After a long, 3 hour, fruitless, hike in search of wildlife around Sanctuary Mountain, as we finally came back to the split in the trails roughly at the beginning of our hike, we decided to explore one of the shorter paths. Wouldn't you believe it, roughly 50 yards from the bird sanctuary entrance we came across a clearing with an observation tower and several feed plots where the conservators ensure the various bird species would have plenty of water and food. This of course is where all the animals and people are.

When we arrived at the clearing there were a few Kakas around, but soon as the conservators put out more feed, the Kakas came flocking in. Cory and I went up the observation tower and tried to catch some of the Kakas and other birds as they flew in. In the dense subtropical rainforest environment, it was difficult to see the birds as they navigated through the leaves and branches. When we got back to ground level we could see 20-30 Kakas and several other species of bird native to New Zealand jostling for position around the feed houses and trays.

It was neat to sit and watch as the birds clambered around, chasing each other off, as if there wasn't enough food to go around. I was able to snap several photos of these dark maroon-ish parrots, however the lighting under the dense canopy was very tricky. I think I got one or two shots here which kind of illustrate their plumage.

After this, we decided we had hiked enough that day and began making our way to the car. The bird sanctuary is set up in such a way that there are controlled ground level entrances, with gates that allow only one way traffic to prevent invasive predator species from gaining access to the sanctuary. As a result, we could not leave the same way we entered. We had to hike another half mile through the sanctuary, then out that gate, then down the mountain, then around another 3/4ths mile, then up a series of foothills, another half mile, to get back to the visitor center and the parking area where our rental car was. We had already hiked up mountains that day, I have asthma, I was tired and irritable. I was on the brink of tears and almost had Cory carry me the rest of the way. If I can help it, in the future, we will ask guides, conservators and experts to direct us to the best spot to view animals wherever we go, instead of letting Cory drag me on pointless excursions into the bush.

Yes, yes, I know, its exercise and its good for me.....blah, blah, blah. In my experience the animals like to go to the same areas humans like to go, and that is what I am there for, the animals.

#Kaka #Birds #Wildlife #Photography #Nature #SanctuaryMountainBirdSanctuary #NewZealand