The reason why Kaikoura is such an interesting place as far as maritime flora and fauna is concerned is that, after a few klicks out to sea, the Continental shelf drops off into an almighty Trench (about 5 kilometres wide and 1600 metres deep). Down there, the Antarctic currents collide with the Pacific pushing all manner of life forms (but not as we know it, Jim!) up to the surface attracting, in turn, all manner of life forms (more familiar) on the surface to feed on 'em. These currents also create some impressive swells, even in clear weather, keeping the Kaikoura paper sick bag and the homeopathic sea-sickness prevention industry in business (the latter obviously not out-doing the former as you may have guessed).
Our first trip was on a tiny boat (as you can see) courtesy of Albatross Encounters for the sole
reason of making Andy jealous. As every other tourist jumped on the dolphin watching boats, we thought we'd try something different: just as well as we were the only two passengers so we could run frantically backwards and forwards across the deck with a panoply of audio-visual equipment to our hearts' content. We've never seen an albatross before; they have truly huge and majestic wingspans the tips of which look as if they are millimetres above the swell of the ocean. Come feeding time (an unashamed touristy trick, I know) we were swamped with (wait for it Andy) Great Albatrosses, Mollyhawk Albatrosses, Petrels (Giant, Westland and White-chinned), Shearwaters (Huttons, Bullers and Sooty), Shags (Pied and Spotted) Terns (25 Black fronted but only 1 White fronted) Gulls (obviously) and Gannets. How about that for an ornithology round up? (OK, we asked Alastair to keep a log so we could show off). An amazing day, and we have hours of footage to threaten anyone who dares pop round for a cup of sugar this year.
reason of making Andy jealous. As every other tourist jumped on the dolphin watching boats, we thought we'd try something different: just as well as we were the only two passengers so we could run frantically backwards and forwards across the deck with a panoply of audio-visual equipment to our hearts' content. We've never seen an albatross before; they have truly huge and majestic wingspans the tips of which look as if they are millimetres above the swell of the ocean. Come feeding time (an unashamed touristy trick, I know) we were swamped with (wait for it Andy) Great Albatrosses, Mollyhawk Albatrosses, Petrels (Giant, Westland and White-chinned), Shearwaters (Huttons, Bullers and Sooty), Shags (Pied and Spotted) Terns (25 Black fronted but only 1 White fronted) Gulls (obviously) and Gannets. How about that for an ornithology round up? (OK, we asked Alastair to keep a log so we could show off). An amazing day, and we have hours of footage to threaten anyone who dares pop round for a cup of sugar this year.
Our second trip was the obligatory whale watching safari. Less frenetic that the bird life, we did track down three sperm whales using a high speed people carrier and the captain's hydrophones. Although we have watched humpbacks before, this is the first time we've seen sperms and the classic raising of the tail as the whale starts its next deep dive. Got two on video and even one on camera. As a bonus, on the way back to port, the boat caught up with a large pod of dusky dolphins. They were all over the bloody place, we didn't know where to focus the cameras next! Good fun, that trip, especially watching all those people who brought the "natural" sea-sickness preventatives in the gift shop only to be seen clutching the good old fashioned paper bags at the back of the boat. 
5 comments:
OK I'm jealous (I have been all along to tell the truth). If I was to be picky I'd ask "which gulls? Black Backed, Red Billed or the endemic Black Billed?" but I'm not going to be picky and I'm impressed that you went on a pelagic trip - Albatrosses are magnificent birds aren't they. By the way did you know that in NZ there is a bird called the 'Morepork' (I kid you not!). It is the last native owl - all the others having either been eaten by Maoris or killed off by human introduced predators. The sea mammals sound great too!
Is the homeopathic anti sea sickness preparation made of sea weed by any chance?
PS - its not all been idleness here in Blighty either, this evening I spent an hour or so watching a full eclipse of the moon. I got a couple of pictures but it don't half move about the sky - especially with a 13 second exposure!
You sure know how to rub it in to poor old sharpee I'll bet you would'nt recognize any of those birds again even if they bit you.Still as long as you've got it all on film,I can see it's going to be a very long summer round your house viewing it all.
Linda must have been in her element with all the Cetaceans just remind her they won't be happy in a plastic bag as hand luggage they wont to stay with their friends. XX Mr Greeneyes
Andy: I had heard about the Morepork (was looking for an avian Ankh). We asked our friendly expert who confirmed what you said - a soon-to-be extinct owl. What's this obsession you have about seaweed anyway? Very worrying.
David, I don't have an obsession with seaweed, I do have a fascination with your interest in the subject. In all the years I have known you and Linda and on all the holidays we have taken together I don't recall you once mentioning seaweed and yet in one small blog (a giant blog for Lampenkind) there are not only references but photos! It reminds me of the day that Harry was waxing lyrical about the mysteries of the deeps of the Med on the strength of seeing an amazing floating plastic carrier bag - that called for cries of 'lets all have some of what he's been drinking!'
You made some excellent points there. I did a search about the subject and hardly found any specific details on other sites, but then great to be here, seriously, thanks.
- Lucas
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