We arrived in Rarotonga, Cook Islands after a relatively short flight.
Petrified Coral could be found anywhere on the beach, huge pieces of coral and shells are everywhere.
Not many shorebirds but Wandering Tattlers were common
Lovely Flowers…
First day Frigatebird
Our accommodations at http://www.tropicalsands.co.ck/
Pacific Reef Heron on Beach, they come in two color phases.
Another Tattler
Tropical Sands
My Birding Ride
Avatiu Harbour
Shoreline at low tide
Unlike other ocean destinations, we’ve been the shallows were alive with life
Lovely blue clam, I found while wading
Rarotonga Starling
Most abundant bird Jungle Fowl
I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with Ian Karika who is the manager of the Takitumi Conservatin Area searching for a Kakerori or Rarotonga (Flycatcher ) Monarch an endemic species of the island. The totally Grey bird is over 4 years old and the other is under 4. Pretty cool to watch Ian call the birds in, not by pishing but clapping and calling out. He has more than doubled the population of these rare birds since 1996. Thanks Ian
Rarotonga Flycatcher Adult Above, younger bird below
Going to the summit
Not what I signed up for but what a blast..
For info Contact: Ian Karika – Kakerori@tca.co.ck
Big surprise at summit was the fly by of two White-tailed Tropicbird’s, I wished I’d been more ready.
Cucumber Moth
Second most numerous bird the Myna
Something seems familiar
Jungle Fern
Insects
Large Bats
Life in the shallows
Early morning sighting on beach in front of Tropical Sands
At night the sand becomes alive with movement
More photos of Tropical Sands
Our hosts Kanoe and Rudy, great place, very clean, nice people
White Tern
I took a photo of two flying tropicbirds and it was a total surprise to find they were a pair of Red-tailed Tropicbirds
No Idea
I wanted this shirt, but they only had mediums
From the Islander Hotel across from the airport, waiting for flight and watching whales
A great time…
Whales were happy too
Last look at Rarotonga
Until the next adventure
Ciao for now
BIRDQUEST2004 