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Gannets at the Muriwai colony

I was kept entertained today by the Air Force performing maneuvers close to our house - these all taken from the deck off the lounge! I love seeing the Air Force planes, we are not under any flight path so it's a novelty. They came over our house very low, as our road is high on a ridge dropping away to Muriwai Valley, which is where the parachutists landed.
A series....

If viewed large you can read everything on it and see the Kiwi on the side!
Taken from my house - I've seen it even lower in the past but didn't have camera in hand that time, so pleased to get this one!~

The gannet colony is at the south end of Muriwai Beach, it is currently the most successful gannet colony in the world, with the population increasing (along with another NZ colony at Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay), while some in other parts of the world are decreasing.
The chicks are abandoned by their parents once old enough to fly, then they have to take the plunge off the cliffs alone, and fly solo over 2,000 kms to Australia where they spend the first 2 years of their lives. They then return to New Zealand to breed. Once they have returned, they do not leave again.
Taken while showing Flickr friend Kathy (Maia Bird) who is visiting from the USA, the gannet colony

Went to the gannet colony at Muriwai Beach yesterday with visiting Flickr friend Kathy (Maia Bird), we had a great day :-)