Storm Clouds and Spoonbills over Lake Ellesmere

After a quick trip into town to see the doctor, Mrs H and I stopped by Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora on the way home. Storm clouds were brewing in all directions; there's been a very unsettled weather pattern across much of the South Island, and for much of the day thunderheads have built and waned over the peninsula.

As I walked along the rail trail, I noticed a small group of Royal Spoonbills coming in to land on the verges of the Kaituna Lagoon, seen here in the bottom of the picture. As I walked to the car they were busy sieving the shallows for flounder.