Pukeko

[delboy]

First time for ages on here so we go. New Zealand rail also known as Swamp-hen




All comments good or bad appreciated

Delboy

[NorthernFocus]

Coincidentally I was just thinking about the venerable Pukeko. In the context of wishing I'd gotten a decent image when we visited NZ years ago. Saw literally hundreds and came away with one sad shot of one standing in a pasture some distance away. They are such cool looking birds to be treated so poorly. Even worse treatment by your cousins across the water. They don't even go as far as giving them a decent name. Though I have to say the reputation is somewhat deserved. Our first morning in NZ we went for a run and they were out robbing people bins that had been put out for pickup. And at one B/B we stayed in Oz, they came around begging shamelessly both morning and evening.

[Dave Humphries]

Even worse treatment by your cousins across the water. They don't even go as far as giving them a decent name. Though I have to say the reputation is somewhat deserved. Our first morning in NZ we went for a run and they were out robbing people bins that had been put out for pickup. And at one B/B we stayed in Oz, they came around begging shamelessly both morning and evening.

Are you referring to our Coot (or perhaps Moorhen) Dan

Odd that ours don't behave as you describe (in my experience) - perhaps the Kiwi's led them to bad habits

Del, That shot could be titled "Two birds on three legs"

[Shadowman]

Interesting looking bird. Nice image.

[NorthernFocus]

Are you referring to our Coot (or perhaps Moorhen) Dan

Odd that ours don't behave as you describe (in my experience) - perhaps the Kiwi's led them to bad habits

Del, That shot could be titled "Two birds on three legs"

No, Dave, I was refering to the same bird in Australia. I believe they just call them swamp hens. Though separated by only a few miles of water, a lot of the birds have different names in Oz and NZ.

[Barbara Ponder]

What interesting looking birds. Thanks for the photo and the introduction to a bird I had never heard of!

[John 2]

Never seen one of these before. Interesting birds. Nice image.

[IzzieK]

I think I have some shots of these birds somewhere but taken in the film days...I actually like them for their comical looks. These ones are nicer shots than mine though...

And also dellboy it will be nice if you can click the Profile option at the top right hand side and fill in your profile. Thanks...it is just odd calling you dellboy and knowing you are from NZ in one post. With all the members here, we soon forget.

[Wavelength]

Lovely couple

[Geoff F]

Looks good. The only thing I might try is a little crop from the top? Possibly end up at 4 x 5 ratio?

[delboy]

Coincidentally I was just thinking about the venerable Pukeko. In the context of wishing I'd gotten a decent image when we visited NZ years ago. Saw literally hundreds and came away with one sad shot of one standing in a pasture some distance away. They are such cool looking birds to be treated so poorly. Even worse treatment by your cousins across the water. They don't even go as far as giving them a decent name. Though I have to say the reputation is somewhat deserved. Our first morning in NZ we went for a run and they were out robbing people bins that had been put out for pickup. And at one B/B we stayed in Oz, they came around begging shamelessly both morning and evening.

Thanks Dan,
There is a large lake near us and it is always a delight to go and watch these waders as they can be very comical at times. These birds panic quite easily but as the lake is a popular area I think they are used to people and that is why I managed to get the photo.

Are you referring to our Coot (or perhaps Moorhen) Dan

Thanks Dave
We do have the Australian Coot here in NZ Dave. This photo was taken by my wife “SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED” about 3 years ago.

Odd that ours don't behave as you describe (in my experience) - perhaps the Kiwi's led them to bad habits

We do have quite a lot of bad habits, like AlWAYS winning at Rugby, but I am sure we do not teach these birds to steal from the rubbish

Del, That shot could be titled "Two birds on three legs"

I do like that for a title

Interesting looking bird. Nice image.

Thanks John for looking

What interesting looking birds. Thanks for the photo and the introduction to a bird I had never heard of!

[/I]
Thanks Barbara

I think I have some shots of these birds somewhere but taken in the film days...I actually like them for their comical looks. These ones are nicer shots than mine though...
And also dellboy it will be nice if you can click the Profile option at the top right hand side and fill in your profile. Thanks...it is just odd calling you dellboy and knowing you are from NZ in one post. With all the members here, we soon forget.

Thanks for you comments and I have put my name on my profile as you suggested

Lovely couple

I really should have shot these about 5 minutes earlier, when they were scrapping and there was a big domestic going on

Looks good. The only thing I might try is a little crop from the top? Possibly end up at 4 x 5 ratio?

Thanks Geoff for your suggestion.

Thank you all

Regards

Delboy.

[IzzieK]

Big thanks, Derek...keep posting.