10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 23, 2011

As introductions to tropical Pacific birding go, you could do a lot worse than Fiji. It was just such a layover that landed me in Fiji a few years ago. As myself and some other stranded Kadavu-bound travellers sat watching the grey clouds over the sea with a beer or two I also managed to find a tiny Fiji Parrotfinch in the grasses.

Fiji 169

Fiji Solomon Islands Parrots Los Angeles 169

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 16, 2013

For some it allows you to enjoy the marvel of nature, for others it allows you to tick the many amazing species of fish and sea life that is down there (even the occasional vagrant). Diving has taken me to places like Belize, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Egypt, places that coincidentally are fun to bird. Kina, or Sea Urchin.

New Zealand 161

New Zealand Goats Vanuatu Fiji 161

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

I’ve subsequently managed to dive in some spectacular destinations, including Turneffe Atoll in Belize, the Great Astrolabe Reef in Fiji, the kelp forests of Monterey and the wreck of the President Coolidge in Vanuatu. but also promised a great number of fish along the walls. Click to enbiggen.

New Zealand 183

New Zealand Belize Vanuatu Fish 183

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 8, 2012

Dipping for fish An extinct endemic form of pelican in New Zealand would have represented another family lost, like the odd form of owlet-nightjar and New Zealand’s lost members of the hawk and eagle family. And, sometimes, New Zealand.

New Zealand 181

New Zealand Pelicans Solomon Islands Palau 181