Wildlife in New Zealand – Animals and Plants
Birds!
Penguins!
We headed for the shore in the evening, when the penguins were coming out of the water to bed down for the night. Because they are adapted for cold weather, they have to stop to cool off as they walk up the shore. By opening their wings, they radiate heat and cool off. They also get oils from near their tail to spread over their feathers to keep up their waterproofing.
Three convene on the beach. Meanwhile, another has made his way up a path.
It looks like penguin rush hour as they move up the slope.
We found a penguin mom guarding her baby.
A pair of penguins groom each other.
Sea Lion
Walking then resting, he makes it up the shore.
Meanwhile, a rainbow forms over the ocean.
And . . . Plants
Trees
The stately Kauri tree is native and is protected now. They have been used to carve the waka that carried the people over the water. The Norfolk Pine has been imported, and is doing well on the east coast in Kaikoura.
Flowers
A native flower is the Pohutukawa that grows on a tree, and the transplanted Hydrangia has been planted all over. I saw these at the Botanical Garden in Christchurch.
Flax in New Zealand is not the same as what we have in North America. Its leaves are used for weaving baskets and and more. But these potted flowers were most likely brought from some other part of the world.
Which is your favorite? Write something below!
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