Getting airborne

Decided on a quick trip north to see S' mother, and give her the tin of Scottish shortbread biscuits which I had for her. Afterwards I went down to the water, where the tide was coming in. Of all the waders one can usually see here, only the herons were present this afternoon. One is shown as an extra. A successful kotare (kingfisher) is the other extra.

But nothing could supplant the beauty of the takapu (Australasian gannet) which put on a grand display for me. Circling overhead repeatedly, diving into the water (too abruptly for me to capture), and the process of getting airborne once again. I went back up the steps to the clifftop feeling very pleased with my afternoon.