The New Zealand Tui Bird

Hey everyone,

Since we've moved I've missed the abundance of birds that would frequent our old garden. We had an enormous tree out back and we would hear the beautiful songs of all the birds including the Tui bird.

Our new place is a lot closer to the road and maybe it's the busyness of the week but I hadn't really spotted too many birds until the Taiwanese Flowering Cherry Tree started to bloom.

This particular tree attracts Tui Birds and I've never had such a great view of them before. This week we've had up to 5 in the tree at once.

Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf

Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf

Native to New Zealand, tui are a very beautiful bird. At first glance they appear black, but they are actually a shining metallic green with blue & purple reflections. The reflected colour of the feathers changes with the angle of the light. The best known visual feature of the tui is the very distinctive white tuft on the throat.
Tui are also well known for their unusual calls. They have the beautiful notes of the bellbird, combined with cackles, clicks, groans, creaks and even wheezing sounds!
I am sure most of you have seen many tui in the last month or so. Especially those who are close to an area of native bush. I have seen very large numbers of tui in Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Pirongia, where there seem to be more and more tui every year.
- See more at: http://www.groundzone.co.nz/blog/want-to-attract-tui-into-your-garden/#sthash.t2UBtBRW.dpuf

The Tui is native to New Zealand and you can find out more information about these beautiful birds here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tui 

 

I always thought the Tui were black with white tufts at its throat but they are actually very colourful with a gorgeous turquoise  sheen to their tail feathers.

Besides the neck feathers, these birds are very unique in their bird song. It's just beautiful.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have caught these images this week. And so very happy to take in all the bird life around me again.

It's nearly Spring!

Take care,

xxx

 

 

My Country Blog Hop : New Zealand

Hi Everyone,

Today I'm taking part in the My Country Blog Hop over at NanMade. 

I wanted to make something to represent my adoptive country of New Zealand. I've lived here for nearly 12 years now, and this is my home.

I have had this little dolphin pendant for ages, I think I got at a Flea Market on a hot summers day in Durban, South Africa and I've kept it all these years. I love the colours in the resin and that it glows in the dark at night!

The colours I chose closely represent the beautiful, blues and greens of Paua shell.

Image Source

You can read more about New Zealand Paua here.   

The dolphin pendant represents the Maui's dolphin. Maui's dolphin are only found off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island.  They are very endangered and are currently in the news here, as the government has decided to open up part of the West Coast North Island Marine Mammal Sanctuary - the main habitat of the Maui's dolphin - for oil drilling. You can find more information about these dolphins here. 

Image Source

I love suncatchers, and I'm going to hang this wee creation up where I can appreciate the colours and be reminded of my beautiful country.

Be sure to pop on over to NanMade now, check out the talent and read stories from around the world.

Take care,

xxx