Waikareao Walkway

We took our rig back to Tauranga for its 12-month service and ended up staying longer than we expected. We have a problem with our batteries, and this means we have to hang about over the weekend while they try to get the issues sorted out for us. 

It's a stunning day today (Saturday), and just across the road is the start of the Waikareao Walkway.

The blue dot (just to the lower left of centre of the map) shows where we were parked up, and the walkway starts near here. We walked along the western side of the estuary—you can see Motuopae Island in the middle of the estuary.

Not too far into the walk, the pathway goes onto a wide boardwalk.

Looking over the estuary with Mount Maunganui in the distance.

A closer view of the port.

To our left, as we walked along, were people's homes. I noticed these two white-faced herons walking around on the first floor verandah of one of the houses.

The one closer to the window appeared to be trying to get inside, flying up against the glass. Perhaps he can see the reflection and thinks there's another heron inside!

Still puzzled . . . 

Looking back off to the right across the water is Takitimu Drive, the main road between Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

A small side path winds down toward some of the houses.

The walkway is really popular with bikers, runners and walkers. Although there aren't many in my photographs, we came across at least two dozen cyclists and just as many walkers and runners out for their morning exercise. The Waikareao Walkway is well-used.

That's Motuopae Island in the middle of the estuary, with Mount Maunganui in the background.

A slightly closer view with the Mount on the far left and the port visible off to the right of the island.

We eventually reached some bush. There didn't seem to be any signs around, so I assume it's McCardles Bush as per the signage at the beginning of our walk.

Time to head back.

Home . . . for the next two nights at least!

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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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