Southern Black-backed Gulls at Muriwai, New Zealand

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Image of a Southern Black-backed gull at Muriwai, North Island, New Zealand. Photography by Frame To Frame - Bob and Jean

When Bob and I headed to Muriwai on New Zealand’s North Island, we had one intention and that was to photograph and observe the dense Australasian Gannet colony that occupies the headland there.  The location was also perfect for Southern Black-backed Gulls, so there was a good number of them as well.

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A Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly in New Zealand

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An image of a Rauparaha's Copper Butterfly near Muriwai, New Zealand

It was enjoyable making our way through the sand dunes at Muriwai on the North Island of New Zealand.  The observation deck looking over the Gannet colony was our destination, but delights awaited us along the way such as this pretty Rauparaha’s Copper Butterfly. Read more

White-fronted Terns at Muriwai in New Zealand

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An image of White-fronted Terns sitting on their nest at Muriwai in New Zealand.

On our first full day in New Zealand, Bob and I headed north from Karekare to the well known Gannet colony at Muriwai.  We were very pleased to find a significant colony of White-fronted Terns also sharing the headland at Otakamiro Point. Read more

Australasian Gannets at the Muriwai Gannet Colony

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Bob and I had a long list of sights to see in New Zealand and first up was the gannet colony at Muriwai Regional Park just outside of Auckland.  About an hour’s drive north of where we were staying on the North Island, it made for the perfect day trip.  Over 2,000 Australasian Gannets make up the colony at Muriwai, which is one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand. Read more