This morning, because there is no wind for kiting and a high tide, I went for a walk from the camping ground at Muriwai the short distance to the Gannet colony. The birds nest in great numbers just a few minutes walk from the South end of Muriwai beach. I couldn't miss the opportunity to photograph these beautiful birds with the ugly name.
The humans like this fishing spot too. Fisherman brave the dangerous sea to fish from these rocks; you can see several of them in the top left of this picture. They are right below the gannets nesting site.
The Gannet society, all perfectly spaced out, each Gannet couple in its alloted space.
A Gannet greets its partner with a beak and neck rub. This accompanied by soft cackling, gurgling sounds and happens whenever a bird returns to the nest, no matter how long they have been away.
A Gannet in flight, no doubt looking for his partner somewhere below.
A masterful landing.
Looking North up Muriwai Beach where I will be heading tommorrow for the Muriwai Moose (kite buggy) Meet.
1:03:06 PM 
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