The weather was a lot calmer this morning and the ponds were like glass. As we scanned the water to see if any birds were about, about eighteen white birds landed on a tree the other side of the road.
As we had a squint through the binoculars and telescope we were excited (and perhaps a little surprised) to find that they were Spoonbill.
When we 'got our eye in' we noticed that there were several Black Shag sitting in the tree as well. Believe it or not, the black blob on the LHS is one of them, the others blend in so well it's difficult to make them out. An attempt was made at digiscoping using the iPhone. Not very successfully as the Spoonbill were cunningly hiding their bills.
Next thing spotted was a White Heron. An exciting morning and it's not even 7 o'clock yet.
Then some Australasian Shoveler.
And a pond full of Pied Stilt. They are very delicate looking birds, but very noisy.
Another twenty Spoonbill fly overhead - not quick enough with the camera to catch them all before they disappear towards where the others were settled in the tree.
The Skylark were out in force again, and singing their little hearts out.
The White Heron flies off - need to have a quicker trigger finger on the camera!
Time to return to the centre and have some breakfast.
There were Spur-winged Plover on the pasture land next to the centre - they're even noisier than the Stilt.
Muesli, toast and some croissants later we pack our bags and check out (not before spending some money in the shop though!).
We decide to pay the hide one last visit on our way. Tide is still out but worth a look.
The Pied Stilt look very elegant when flying.
Some Southern Pied Oystercatcher over the shell beach. Tide is still out.
As the tide starts to come in it shifts the Bar-tailed Godwit closer.
Tide in a bit further and we see some NZ Dotterel in amongst the Wrybill
and a Curlew Sandpiper?
And a Caspian Tern
It's high tide now and we have been sitting in the hide long enough - time to hit the road for Coromandel. It's only about an hour and a half away but the guidebook says to allow plenty of time for stopping an enjoying this extremely scenic route.
You thought we'd finished with the birds - wrong.
Just past Thames some Pied Shag sit beside the river.
Amazing feather pattern on their backs.
There were hundreds more roosting in the nearby trees - you can just about make out the white bits.
Look for somewhere to stop for coffee and a cake. This should do nicely.
Eric finds some little ducklings to play with.
But then some chocolate fish and cake seemed more inviting.
The road winds and bends and winds and bends firstly alongside the Haruaki Gulf, literally alongside! For miles!
Then it winds and bends uphill this time, opening up some splendid vistas along the way.
Wow, look at those mountains. We understand that they are the result of volcanic action.
Anyone for a cycle ride? There is a cycle race along this road, it is called the K2 Challenge.
I'm not surprised, the gradient on these hills is pretty severe.
A cow (or bull?) in a field.
But what a field.
Gradually dropping back down towards Coromandel Town.
We arrive at our accommodation for the next five nights.
Eric enjoys the afternoon sun and the view from our balcony.
The shared lounge and breakfast area.
Breakfast room with a view.
Shared balcony
Eric decides to have a bath - well who wouldn't want to with a view like that from the tub!
Better go and check out the town's food offerings.
Well this one has the World Cup Rugby flags up - we sit under the Welsh flag.
Meat lover has barbecue spare pork ribs
