BLACK-BILLED GULLS, RIVERBRIDGE NATURE CENTRE, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

ADULT MUTE SWAN WITH CYGNETS, RIVERBRIDGE NATURE CENTRE, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

PIED STILT (SUBSPECIES OF BLACK-WINGED STILT) IN FLIGHT & IN WATER, RIVERBRIDGE NATURE CENTRE, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

MUDFISH, RIVERBRIDGE NATURE CENTRE, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

      Mudfish can exist without water for months at a time by burying themselves in damp soil, leaf matter or under tree-roots  until it gets wet again.  They are able to exist without water for months on end,slowing down their metabolic rate and breathing oxygen through their skin.

SCULPTURED BUSHES, MT. SOMERS, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

MT. SOMERS MUSEUM, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   The interesting thing about the photo of the locomotive (2nd photo) is the name of the compant that built the locomotive - Orenstein & Koppel.  Maybe a long lost relative?

   The next three photos are of a wedding photo.  Do they look happy to you?

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SWAMP HARRIER OR AUSTRALASIAN MARSH HARRIER IN FLIGHT, HAKATERE CORNER, HAKATERE CONSERVATION PARK, CANTERBURY REGION, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 11/5/2017

   Even though we can't discern any colors in these photos, we can still ID this raptor as a Swamp Harrier or Australasian Marsh Harrier by its long, broad wings with 5 dark "fingers" on wing tip when in flight; prominent white rump; long tail rounded at tip; hooked bill (you can just make this out in first photo) and white area on wing next to "fingers".

   The Swamp Harrier is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 752.