Yesterday I passed by the kārearea ex-nest site on the way up the spur in the morning, and again on the way down in the afternoon. Pebbles and Bam-Bam were present on the way up, no sign of Fred or Wilma. They're acting - and looking - more mature every visit. Still darker brown than their parents, but already seem to be lightening. Their legs, cere, and eye-rings are still clearly blue-grey though, so no confusing them with their parents.
I have to admit I'm having some difficulty telling Pebbles and Bam-Bam apart. They seem to be looking more like one another than a few weeks ago. Perhaps we have two Pebbles.... or two Bam-Bams. Nope, they're Pebbles and Bam-Bam, and that's all there is to it! 😊
Pebbles in the early morning light below. I played around with colour temperature and exposure a bit, because why not? The second one where she was giving me that intense falcon stare suited cooler.
A few hours later, about midday, I was further up the spur on a kākāriki karaka nest watch, when I heard falcon caw-ing from high above. Three kārearea were circling overhead, quite some distance between them. They'd have been 100-200m above the canopy at a guess. Wild guess... one parent was taking the kids on altitude flight training. Why not, I'd be up there if I had wings.
Later that afternoon on the way down the spur Wilma (I think) and the kids were present, so I'm guessing Wilma was the flight instructor. Fred was probably hunting.
Here is Bam-Bam giving me that familiar stare as I passed by. The second photo I put in as he looks cute. Looks like he's sleeping, but is just scritching.
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