Tui in a Kowhai Tree

Never thought the day would come where I would have the opportunity to photograph a Tui in its natural environment let alone feeding in a flowering Kowhai tree - wow, I was blown away :)

The Tui is also known as the parson bird because of the two curled tufts of white feathers on their throats. Being honey-eaters, they search out nectar from forest tree flowers and shrubs, extracting it with long, brush-tipped tongues. This one had his beak completely inside the Kowhai flowers, you can see a little bit of yellow pollen left around his beak. The Tui is endemic and protected.

The Kowhai flower is New Zealand's national flower, found widespread throughout the country and flowering in spring. It is a native species.

An unsettled day weather wise, thick cloud from morning till dusk, some heavy showers and later on it turned murky, wet and cold, thankgoodness I got this before the rain came. Hubby and I went to see the Salisbury Falls but it was raining so hard we flagged it instead settling for Devonshire scones and tea at the old Langfords Store in Bainham. The general store and post office has been providing essentials to the Bainham community and travellers since 1928 and has been in the same family for four generations. It is a real trip down memory lane with lots of nostalgic items adding to the charm and beauty of the old store.

Not far away are some limestone formations known as 'The Devil's Boots'. Two pedestals of platy limestone, one on each side of the road, support long overhangs, so that it appears as though two feet are sticking up out of the ground - quite bizarre.

A great day out exploring the Aorere Valley even though the weather didn't quite play out.

Many thanks for your comments and hearts over the last few days, I'm touched and really hope to finish these backblips asap - I'll be back commenting before you know it, I've really missed catching up with you all.

The Devil's Boots

Aorere River, near Salisbury Falls