Katikati Birds and Two Reserves

We stayed at the Katikati RSA for a few nights, and not far from where we were parked was this tree loaded with berries that attracted the birds. We were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from this keruru.

And then the tuis arrived. There were several of those all feasting on these little plum berries.

Park Road Reserve

There was more birdlife at two of Katikati's reserves that we visited. The first was Park Reserve and just to the right of the reserve was this white-faced heron strolling through the freshly mown grass.

It was a really peaceful place—lots of open spaces and although it was an overcast day, the sun shone through occasionally, and it was a lovely walk along the side of the water.

These pied stilts were resting at the edge of the water, most of them standing on one leg looking cute!

This poor boat had more water in it than under it.

And then I spied a kingfisher. First on this branch not too far from the pied stilts . . .

. . .  and then sitting up in this tree.

Three swans on the water.

"Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub" sculpture.

Some silvereyes (also known as white-eyes and waxeyes) eating nectar from the stunning red-hot pokers (Kniphofia).

Tamawhariua Reserve

Tamawhariua Reserve is right next to MacMillan Reserve at Long Beach. We took a walk along a long grassy area next to the water. Not the same manicured lawns as at the previous reserve, but we enjoyed some great views. There was a fence along the edge of the bank for some of the way. It appeared the sea was washing away the land.

You wouldn't want to go too close to the edge as in places the grassy edge was hanging out over nothing, and if you walked on it, it was likely to break away and fall into the water.

Looking over, I could see these trees had already become victims of the encroaching tide.

Near the end, the view over the water . . .

. . . and closer. I believe that must be Omokoroa.

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Katikati - Mural Town

Katikati has almost 70 murals scattered around the town, all depicting scenes from local history. It started in 1990 when an idea was born, inspired by the Chemainus Murals in British Columbia . In 1991, the Katikati Open-Air Art Inc. was formed and the first four murals were under way. 

You can pick up a booklet from the Katikati i-site that will tell you where all the murals can be found, and it gives you some information about each of them as well. 

In 1897, the local Anglican Vicar farmed ostriches to supplement his income. Their frequent escapes were the inspiration for this mural. (This is the left half of the mural.)

A colourful piano sat on the main street.

Dave and Lucy found some rock solid locals to interact with.

This interesting sculpture (looking like a pristine egg in a steampunk cradle) was outside the museum. It's the winner of the sculpture competition in 2017 based on the theme: "The Future is Our Children". Every two years, Katikati Open Air Art host the NZ Mural & Art Festival. Since 2006, this week-long event has celebrated the arts and, in particular, the murals of Katikati.

Another mural. This one was in a narrow alley and not so easy to photograph. Titled "Toy Parade", it illustrates toys from the time of the Irish settlers in 1875. All the murals are numbered in order of their creation which makes it easy to find their description on the booklet. This one was "37", although the number three looked more like a crooked question mark!

A peaceful spot not too far from the busy main street.

While staying in Katikati, we spent time with friends (from when we lived in Taranaki about 20 years ago), enjoying a meal together at the Talisman Hotel one night. It was popular place!

More murals . . .

I really like the way some of the murals have something in front of the wall that fits in with the mural scene. For example, the old farm equipment you can see in this photo. And in the very first photo above, the bunches of grass planted in front of the wall to mimic the grass painted in the foreground of the mural.

Another peaceful spot right in the main street of Katikati.

This mural was one of our favourites. Probably because when we first saw it, it tricked us into thinking there were people standing there looking at it. In fact, this entire mural—including the white frame edges—is one flat piece of board. Very well done. I've included a couple of close-ups that show more clearly the 3-D effect the artist has created.

I'll write a bit more about Katikati in my next blog.

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