Back on the surface

One big disadvantage of having sold our Grey Lynn apartment and moved west to Titirangi is that the bird watcher's delight that is Western Springs Lake and park is no longer walking/running distance from our front door. I needed to check for mail in the Post Office Box, and went in to Grey Lynn and thence to the lake.

Pleased to see the same two Weweia in the same area as a week ago. They are very alert little birds, and quite clearly noticed that a human was paying them attention. As a result they were a little skittish initially. Once it was obvious that the human was no threat, they returned to diving for food. They stay down for a considerable time, and often stay on the surface a very short time. I was able to get this very nice shot of one of them during a longer phase on the surface.

I have posted an extra; of a feral chicken. These are chickens that are descended (usually) from domestic chickens released into the 'wild'. The wild being no wilder than a lake in a city park! By usually, I mean that rarely there may be chickens which have themselves been abandoned in the park. This one seemed far too cocky to have been one of those.

Omicron continues to spread rapidly within New Zealand. Almost 20,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. The better news is that the proportion needing hospital treatment remains low. It is estimated that there are at least 100,000 active cases, and only 373 are in hospital; that is less than 0.4%, and of those 373, only nine (2%) are needing intensive care. 

Many people have found the Government's decisions in the last few days somewhat counterintuitive. But it seems to me (WARNING: I am NOT an epidemiologist) that what this shows is the huge impact on the severity of the disease in the community when that community nation-wide is over 90% double vaccinated. It would be nice if those protesting loudly, aggressively and misguidedly in Wellington could also acknowledge what benefit has accrued from the actions of those who have chosen to place community welfare above any personal discomfort.

On a personal note, Young L is less unwell than when he tested positive, and that is a good sign.