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Three of the same (#12 in series: pied shags/cormorants)

 

 

You can see this post’s species in Australia too, but not with such a spectacular, snow-capped backdrop.

In Australia Phalacrocorax varius is the largest resident cormorant/shag.

New Zealand has an even larger, endemic species, the King ShagLeucocarbo carunculatus.

As you can see above, some of New Zealand’s pied shags are dwarfed by the coastal mountains immediately inland from the town of Kaikoura.

The Seaward Kaikouras (one of a pair of ranges) reach higher than do any mountains on Australia-proper.

 

 

 

Pied Cormorants, Kaikoura, Seaward Kaikouras, South Island, NZ, 10.33 am, 15 July 2010. Photos copyright Doug Spencer.

 

 

All three “Kaikouras” are worth experiencing – ideally, on foot, on the water, and in the air; landscape, wildlife, and cultural aspects are all rewarding.

And the local lobsters – generally available, fresh, year-round – are delicious.

Click here to discover more about today’s featured species.

Published in New Zealand photographs