Some Autumn Birds
Here is a small painting of a tui in our garden in Autumn, it is unusual to see them
here at this time of year. Normally they appear again about September when
they are thinking about nesting, but I was delighted to hear one chortling
away as I was planting some bulbs for Spring. The bulbs are miniature white
daffodils so I am looking forward to seeing them in flower. I still have one
or two roses which have bravely survived cyclone weather and the rain and wind.
Here is an interesting photo of pied shags roosting on driftwood in the Waikanae estuary.
They breed nearby in an old macrocarpa tree, and the young are a lovely sight as they
perch near the water waiting for their parents to arrive with their next fish meal. This time
of year they are just cleaning and drying out after their fishing espeditions.
In the background you can see a black swan, it's mate was not far away.
All images copyright Frances Jill Studd 2017
