Lunch

I needed to start today slowly after a number of short sleeps. Although I woke shortly before sunrise, I sat around and looked at blipfoto until it was time to make coffee for S and me (Tsuken and Mrs T aren't keen on plunger coffee, and have their own method of making coffee!). I had my coffee and muesli over a Guardian cryptic by Paul; yesterday I had done one by Arachne, the first for 2015. 

We then went to the garden shop for hoses and fittings and compost for mother-in-law. Got back in time for a late morning jog to the beach and then wading almost to knee deep after birds. Spotted and photographed white faced heron, parera (the native grey duck) in flight, kawaupaka (little shag), a pair of tara (white-fronted terns) also in flight, and kuaka (godwits). I also saw many gulls, and mallards without taking photos of them.

I was most taken with this kuaka. It was prodding about under the water, and suddenly became very much more urgent in its prods. Eventually, it came up, but with empty beak. Then a sudden stab, and back up. Successful!! A tasty marine worm. Swallowed between this photo and my next.

I've had to spend this afternoon dealing with a matter which has been hanging over me for some weeks now. Almost finished. S is producing a great meal which I am contributing to only by "allowing" her to use some of a bottle of merlot/cab franc from one of the local vineyards.