@QMS
Cool image. Now I have something more interesting to contemplate than my navel.

.
the piercing eye of the Pompadour
is very captivating. Enjoy the shots!

a stack of rocks for contemplation

good to hear the rains have returned

@humphrey
The zoo puts a lot of time and work into creating the animal habitats. One of the walk through aviaries will be closed for the next two years while the do a complete makeover. The elephant habitat at the Safari Park will be opening later this year after a two plus year makeover.

quite challenging for the zoo keepers to recreate their habitats. By means of your excellent images it appears that they were successful.

@janis b
From Wikipedia. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead.
Hope you get some rain soon.

The birds are stunning. I’ve never seen a fuchsia-coloured bird before, in life or in images. I also really like the subtle colours of the Macaw. The Hamerkop takes the cake. Does s/he have a mane, or is it a long neck twisted closed?

I’m glad you got some needed rain. We are still waiting for some of its essential nourishment.

@dystopian
I too love the walk-in aviaries. it's great being able to get close to the critters. They just started a makeover on the Owens aviary. Got to wait a couple of years before it's completed and open again. I was talking to another photographer when I was there Monday. He said it may take longer if they have problems getting the funding.

Hi all, Hey SP!

Great bird photos SP! Even if they are dern furriners.

Always loved the walk-in aviaries there. I should have a pic of a Toco taken there in '78! :+

There are a bunch of awesome Cotingas, they are a spectacular group. Hammerkop is awesome too.

Love Benefit and Stand Up in particular... my fav two Tull disks...

Awesome photos SP! Thanks!

happy trails all!

@janis b
you should be able to get sharp images of the moon. The moon reflects light from the sun so you need to set your shutter speed about the same as you would for a sunny day. Since the moon is over exposed in the image you posted you can either increase your shutter speed or stop down your aperture or a combination of both. The nice thing about digital cameras is you can review your shots in camera and make adjustments as needed.

I forgot to mention that I watched the last third of the lunar eclipse last night. The skies were clear, but the moon wasn’t visible to me until it rose over the ridge in the East. I don’t have the camera equipment to have captured it sharply. I did though vaguely capture it rising behind the mighty Kauris.

@orlbucfan
We're getting to the end of the rainy season here. Normally I'd say by this time of year we probably wouldn't be getting much more rain, but with climate change it's anybody's guess.

you guys!! Sp, glad for your weather update. I was going to ask about it. We are going into Endless Summer mode. UGH!! Hubster is a Tullhead (same deal as a Deadhead, just different group). My 2 fave Tull LPs are Benefit (American edition) and Stand Up. I have both the original vinyl records. According to the Tullheads, Ian Anderson grew to hate "Teacher." Why? I sure don't know as it is a brilliant musical depiction of Jesus Christ. Hope all is well. jb, are you a native Kiwi as in born there? Anywho, Rec'd!!