The Poaka (Pied Stilt, Himantopus himantopus) is one of the earliest birds I can remember being shown by my father. As such, it has long held a place in my heart.
Somewhere I still (I hope) have a picture I drew of one as a child, and on a wall in my house hangs a Janet Marshall numbered print of a pair.
This lovely pair were photographed in a location I have probably seen more Poaka than in any other place — what my father called “The Bowl,” at the head of the Pāuatahanui Inlet of Porirua Harbour.
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