Kapiti Island crossing and then tramping through the preserve.

 Carla made the arrangements so that we could cross the 3 miless of ocean to reach Kapiti Island which is 10 milies long and 2 miles wide. It was set aside just before the end of the 19th century as a nature preserve by the Maori owners. A small group of Maori still live in one small area of the island, but it is otherwise dedicated to being restored as a nature preserve for the native birds of New Zealand. We saw only one flightless species, the weka, but there are several other species of flightless birds on the island. Most notable of the flightless birds are the species of Kiwi, all nocturnal birds who sleep during the day in burrows until dusk. I was glad we got to see the Kaka parrots; they are colorful, curious, and bold. One wanted to land on my shoulder when I had spent awhile close by trying to get a good picture of it. For fear of my ears being bitten I was able to avoid close contact. Carla's dad, Maurice, came along and he turned 90 several months ago, and is probably the healthiest and most active 90 year old I have met. He did well getting up to the island lookout where I shot the photo of the caves down below on the northwest shore. Once we got back down we had a great walk along the coastal track, back to where we could meet the boat to get us back home.

Kapiti Tours boat and tractor. We boarded and then they pulled the boat down into the surf until the boat floated off.

Gregg, Carla and Carla's dad, Maurice who is 90, on the boat and waiting to go out into the surf.

The boat strands itself onto the rocky beach and then rolls out the ramp for getting off.

This is a girl named Summer and her newest friend, a local who isn't shy.

The flightless and wild Weka, about chicken size, and scratching in the underbrush for food.

Kanuka bush along the trail

Almost up to the lookout

A native Bellbird, Maori name is Kormako, atop a flax bush.

North Point on Kapiti

Treasure cave on the northwest cliff side on Kapiti

Gregg and an island woman who is waiting for the water taxi run by her brother.

]Some of the islanders having some water fun

Carla and Eva. Eva was on the island for the week with a group of her gifted peers at school. Eva is #1 in her class.

 Eva you might remember from the mural painting rfor the apple cider party that started off this blog back in January. She is the top student in every course subject in her school, so quite academically skilled as well as artistic. She speaks 3 languages: english; maori, and german. The top students of her school all got to spend the week on the island, hosted by the Maori islanders. We were lucky to be able to meet up with her. She was generous with her hugs before we had to go.

The large Kaka parrot is very curious and vocal.

Carla in hobbit country where the weka keep watch.

Driftwood and stones, beautiful natural patterns, tones, and textures. 

The flightless Weka looking for its next morsel in a strikingly colorful beachside haven.

Beach side shells, stones, and wood.

A remnant of paua shell, worn by the tides, with the stones that helped smooth it down.

beach side bones were plentiful here; this is the upper half of a seabird beak, bleached by sun and tide

A weka looking for what the tide may have left behind

the great stone beach of the north end of Kapiti Island

These birds are known as New Zealand Pied Shags of the cormorant family, on watch for the next sign of fish schooling near the surface.

There are small pockets of bright colors along the beach.

New Zealand Robin

Maurice taking a break on the beach 

Maurice and Carla on the ride back

More beach patterns in stone

Whale bones from whaling days on Kapiti Island

A congregation of wood pigeons, or Kereru, foraging for food.