Living in Nature's Embrace

Living on the edge of a forest with a view of the ocean allows one a different perspective from a life lived in even a small city.

You might think that’s obvious but what would you expect to be different?

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean through a whanau/family of magnificent and ancient Pohutokawa (*Metrosideros excelsa*) trees. They flower in early Summer and are popularly known as the NZ Christmas Tree.

We frequently hear the calls of Korimako/Bellbirds in the bush outside our window. The Finches and Sparrows often try to get through the mirrored glass. The Korimako is looking for food and talks as she does so. She is so melodious, you can’t help but smile. If any bird can be called ordinary then this ordinary-looking and shy creature has the voice of an angel. If it’s not these birds in the Luculia then it’s the Tuis who sing at dawn. It’s an equally beautiful song and sometimes difficult to distinguish from the Korimako. The Tui though is a regal-looking bird; much bigger and much more socially outgoing.

Our own bananas ripening in the early Autumn sunshine

Waxeye checking out the ripeness of the bananas - not ready yet-

Being here at SheldrakeBnB, away from the towns, and, as it were, in the very midst of nature, we have become so much more aware of the world around us. We notice when the Piwakawaka/Fantails disappear to the hills and when the Silver-eye or Wax-eyes come down to feed on the bananas or amongst the Hibiscus, when the Kereru/Native Pigeon are mating and when the Kotare/Kingfisher is back in action with its persistent delight with Summer weather.

In Autumn we are visited by a pair of Paradise Shelducks who rest in the Pohotukawa, making their extraordinary calls, often sitting close together on the same branch. Even in flight, they like you to know they're around. They stay a week or a bit longer and then leave. The Karearea/Native Falcon isn’t always noisy: its flight is so graceful and purposeful. He stays for a few days and then moves on. He, or perhaps she, will be back.

Down in the Bay, there’s usually a Heron strutting about in the shallows who taunts our wee dog.

A Reef Heron, small Stingray gracefully moving through the shallow waters. Orcas also have been known to visit the Bay although we’ve never been lucky enough to see one. Penguins live under one of the baches/holiday homes close to the sea and though we’ve seen them on the water we’ve never seen one onshore.