Some beautiful photos from #Christchurch #photographer https://PaulFrancis.nz which the lads bought and had framed at #VanUfflens as a 30th anniversary present for wifey and I. They’ve come out really well!

#Aotearoa #NZ #Birds #Native #Endemic #Wildlife #Photography #Nature #Tūī #Rifleman #Titipounamu

A photo of a Rifleman (Tītitipounamu) that I'd forgotten about somehow. I love these little birds. They flit about, squeaking their tiny, high-pitched squeak, moving upward along branches and tree trunks on the lookout for food.

(This pic hasn't been rotated, they do stand like this sometimes)

#Birds #BirdsOfMastodon #Rifleman #Nature #NaturePhotography #Aotearoa #NewZealand

A tītitipounamu (aka Rifleman) which was hanging around outside the house we were staying in, up in the mountains. Every morning (and every time we went outside) it would dance from branch to branch, flicking its wings and cheeping it's high-pitched cheep. Its mate was often present too, and they let us get within a few metres of them.

They are NZ's smallest bird, averaging 6-7g (1/4 oz), and 7-9cm (about 3") in length.

#BirdsOfMastodon #Birds #NaturePhotography #Rifleman #Tititipounamu #Borb

Taken over a year to get a decent pic of a rifleman/titipounamu. NZ’s smallest bird, with the infuriating habits of hanging out in dense, dark forests and not sitting still. Luckily they’re outrageously cute…

#nzbirds #rifleman #titipounamu #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #newzealandbirds