Takahē, on the Heaphy Track

What a thrill to chance a view of the once-thought-to-be-extinct, takahē!
Takahē weren't seen from the mid 1800s to 1948, when they were discovered in the remote Murchison Mountains. Since that time a Takahē Recovery Programme has seen these birds placed on remote islands and other locations around New Zealand.
This particular bird, a female, was released in the Gouland Downs area of the Heaphy Track, but she relocated herself some distance away, to near the James Mackay Hut, where we just chanced to see her. She probably won't breed as she's some distance away now from any males.

It was a fascinating walk today, from the Perry Saddle Hut to James Mackay, through mountain highlands, with alpine vegetations and flowers, and even some insect-eating plants - the drosera spatulata. You can see it in Extras. 

Magnificent scenery! and fine weather too. A second day of lovely fine weather. So lucky.