Black spined weevil - Scolopterus penicillatus

Discovered a Black spined weevil - Scolopterus penicillatus on our rose bush. Beautiful fellow. It is native to NZ. Competing with the bees for pollen. These little 6mm fellows open up like a DeLorean and fly. Nature is So fascinating.

Riroriro Nest

Riroriro (Grey Warbler) has nested right near our house. I have set the Trail camera up to see if we can get some feeding shots. This is one of my favourite birds. They build such cosy, soft nests. This one is 1.5 metres from the ground. I have read that they nest high  when they know it is not going to be windy and low when it is. It looks like this El Nino is going to be windy according to science. Riroriro just knows this stuff.

Wetland Videos

Our second trail camera is now working in our wetland. We have been missing some action as our first camera is still at the kiwi burrow. Kiwi is visiting a couple of times a week still.

These new videos are of our banded rail and white faced heron. It is a wonder we have fish at all when you watch these fellows feed.

Abbey Caves - Glow worms and spiders

Abbey Caves
We took our B&B guests back to Abbey Caves again this evening for another photo shoot of the glow worms.

 While at Abbey Caves we also found this huge harvestman spider. It is about 150 ~ 160mm from toe to toe. It was just hanging on this rock in the dark.

Abbey Caves

Abbey Caves are a set of three caves through a wonderful limestone rock and bush area only 20 minutes from The Riverbank. They are known for their glow worms. Free to enter.
Had fun with my cell phone in the caves this evening. It's not magic. 
This is what nature does.