Friday 22 February 2013

Pekapeka Wetlands

About 40 minutes drive South of Napier are the Pekapeka Wetlands.  Until fairly recently it was like driving past an area of inexplicably dead trees sticking out of a wilderness at the side of the main State Highway south.  Now it is a splendid area which has been transformed into an oasis of floral diversity consistent with the original wetlands area which encourages wildlife.  Paths, viewing areas and boardwalks give easy access to the wetlands.

I went there yesterday for a very quick visit whilst trying to get more photos of the arid landscape in 
the area.

I have chosen this view because I could see over the railway line that bisects the site into an area where there were many birds.  At this distance they cannot be seen on the photo at a focal length of 4.8mm.


If, however, I increase the focal length of the lens  to 15.6mm I can see rather more detail but less total area:


If I further increase the focal length to 144mm then we can see that there is plenty of wildlife on the water.   There are Paradise Ducks and (I think they are) Grey Teal.


A further enlargement of the above picture shows some interesting, if less clear, detail:


I shall be returning with more time and, hopefully, more success in capturing some other species.

12 comments:

  1. Nice when they make areas like that better for both the wildlife AND the human visitors.

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    1. Yes Monica. It's taken over a decade and a lot of reparation work but it's been worth it.

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  2. This looks a wonderful area. Plenty of water in this bit.

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    1. The water level is actually quite low but part of the restoration work was putting a weir in the river to revitalise the wetlands.

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  3. What a difference, it must have taken quite a lot of work and funding to create this wetland for the wildlife in the area.
    Loved the close-up paparazzi shots of the ducks.

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    1. Yes, Virginia, a lot of money, time and work has gone into this project.

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  4. Looks like a Great place to take your camera! I like the different views of the same areas too.

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    1. It's a wonderful place to spend time with the camera, binoculars and a spotterscope Lisa.

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  5. This was very interesting, following your zooming in on the birds. And the boardwalk on the first picture looks extremely enticing to me!

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  6. Good to see that place again, GB. I immediately wondered if the coots were still there.

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    1. Oddly Pauline I didn't see any but I didn't walk the whole way round just on the new bit they have just completed.

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