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.