Summers over?!

Well summer isn't quite over, but having packed all my warm stuff and wet weather gear for the Antarctic it almost feels like it is...for a bit anyway.  Haven't had a lot of updates lately.  December was busy completing my bird survey work at Napier Hill and down at Porangahau, part of a Hawkes Bay Regional Council contract.  That went well, with mostly good weather allowing it to be completed within the time frame I had hoped.

This then meant that we could head away for a week or so relaxing at Wharekaho (Simpson's Beach), just north of Whitianga.  Was an awesomely relaxing time with friends Phill and Bex and John and Claudia, plus there littles.  No a lot of activity...just nice to sleep, relax and even read a book.

Xmas in Auckland with Adel's whanau and now I'm sitting at the Auckland Airport about to head to Buenos Aires and then to Ushuaia for two awesome cruises onboard the Clipper Adventurer with Zegrahm Expeditions.  Both incorporate the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica, so really looking forward to them.  There will be regular posts with photos here, so make sure you check out the blog regularly...

Wharekaho pohutukawa

Happy penguins

Well not much blogged recently.  I've been back and spent another 10 days with the Wildlife Team at the Rena spill and just got home on Thursday.  Long days and some rewarding moments, including being there for the first little blue penguin release, as well as a couple of the smaller ones.  We released 38 penguins a just under a week ago, and really rewarding to see the birds heading back out to sea.

Now home for a few weeks trying to get my local bird monitoring done before some rest and relaxation in Whitianga...can't wait!