Weka

It has been a superb day today and not just with the weather. Blip mate and I enjoyed a morning of music and fun with Operatunity - a travelling show with song, laughter and antics that travels the country, with a different theme each visit.

On the way home we called into Rabbit Island to see how the clean-up has gone since the cyclones raged through the area. We picnicked and strolled on the beach. Best of all, we were entertained by a group of Weka, New Zealand's flightless rail. They were pestering a picnicking couple to share their lunch with them.

I have always wanted to photograph a weka and here I had a choice. The main blip is of two adults and a juvenile. The first extra is a close up - and I mean close - they came right up to us. The trio found a very muddy puddle. Junior took a bath first ( and you can see him in the second extra telling the world all about it). Once Junior had finished, the adults also bathed but without juniors enthusiasm. They all probably came out dirtier than they went in.