For some strange reason, I have earned myself the reputation of being the German gentleman who likes to play it safe. (If you really, really want to have all the background info, just watch Kane Williams’ travel video). Now, there is indeed no denying the fact that ‘no risk, no fun’ isn’t really my lifeContinue reading “The ghost of the forest”
Category Archives: Birds
Christmas in the lagoon
We have already established two important facts with regard to Christmas 2019 in New Caledonia: Firstly, yes, they do know it’s Christmas. And secondly, I had the huge privilege to spend a wonderful Christmas Eve among complete strangers (now friends). But that’s not even the whole story! More miracles were to happen. Ever since myContinue reading “Christmas in the lagoon”
Albatross!
The legendary Monty Python sketch, of course. “Aaaalbatross!” Who doesn’t love it? John Cleese as a very rude vendor in the cinema with a huge stuffed albatross on his tray. Yet this can’t be the whole story. There’s got to be some link to my journey too… There is indeed! The possibility to see wildContinue reading “Albatross!”
Parrot progress
It is no longer a secret that I am fascinated by parrots. They are doubtlessly my favourite topic here on this blog, if you look at my previous posts from Sydney (Parrots galore & Do they fly) and New Caledonia (Particular parrots). So believe me, it was all the more painful when I had toContinue reading “Parrot progress”
Hilltop hikes
While I was staying with them in Nelson for four days, my friends Yulia and Yarek took me to a number of really interesting spots in the northwestern part of South Island. We went for lovely walks amid breathtaking scenery (let’s say they were moderate hikes), and some decent birds were also seen. On theContinue reading “Hilltop hikes”
Tiritiri matangi
A man is an island. No, wait a second. A man VISITED an island. Yes, that’s it. (Hang on, I think I got it all wrong anyway. NO man is an island. Well, let’s better forget about this…) Anyway, so on my first (and in fact, only) full day in Auckland I went on aContinue reading “Tiritiri matangi”
Particular parrots
In Germany, not many people will know the meaning of the words ‘endemism’ or ‘endemic species’. Well, not unless they’re biologists or at least interested in natural history. I guess the same applies to the rest of Europe as well. An endemic species is one which only occurs in a particular restricted area, e.g. anContinue reading “Particular parrots”
Some New Caledonian birds (part I)
During the first ten days of my stay here on New Caledonia (Grande Terre), I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing a number of different bird species. Some of them are endemic to the archipelago, which means they cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Others, on the other hand, shouldn’t be here atContinue reading “Some New Caledonian birds (part I)”
The heron and the fish
This is the sad story of a fatal encounter between a hungry heron and a fish. Well, sad for fifty percent of the protagonists… All others were quite content, as one can assume. The Pacific reef heron (also known as the Pacific reef egret, Egretta sacra, Riffreiher, Aigrette sacrée) is a very handsome bird. IContinue reading “The heron and the fish”
Pleased to meet you, SCO
You will now learn how I spent the first 48 hours on Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s main island. At La Tontouta airport I tried in vain to buy a SIM card. It was a few minutes past 5 pm on a Friday – week-end! Almost everything was closed, even the restrooms. Fortunately not the carContinue reading “Pleased to meet you, SCO”
And boy, do they fly!
Taking a picture of a sitting cockatoo is one thing. Not difficult – sitting duck, so to speak. Especially if they are so kind to approach you, well, almost too near! A different thing, however, is taking an ‚action shot‘ of these magnificent birds in flight. Photographing flying birds is probably the Champions League ofContinue reading “And boy, do they fly!”
Parrots galore
WARNING: The following post is not quite up to date, as it contains material that I have gathered last week in Sydney, i.e. not New Caledonia. Furthermore, it should only be viewed by people who are not bored to death after five wildlife-related pictures. So don’t complain afterwards, do you hear me? You have beenContinue reading “Parrots galore”
My Pacific Travel Blog 