Ever since I have arrived in New Zealand I have wanted to see a penguin in the wild.
On a recent trip to Oamaru, Nick and I got a chance to go searching for the rare and endemic hoi hoi or Yellow Eyed Penguin.
Nick's friends James and Paula invited us to stay at their beautiful home and their daughter Ella was our penguin guide (because she had been to reserve before and knew where to look).
Driving out to the Katiki Point lighthouse reminded me so much of Point Reyes and coastal Marin County. We even saw the occasional Monterey Cypress.
As we returned from a hike to watch the sea lions, Ella spotted a penguin and I was able to finally get close to another unique New Zealand bird.
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| A bellbird painting I made for James and his family |
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| Kereru |
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| The Katiki Lighthouse |
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| Katiki Point |
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| A view from the lighthouse |
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| Sleepy sea lion |
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| James, Ella and Nick |
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| A hoi hoi at rest |
like!!!!
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