Standing on the peak of the cliffs overlooking the sunset lighting span across the surface of the Tasman Sea near Auckland, NZ, a single Australasian Gannet looks down upon the rest of the Muriwai Beach colony. Approximately 1,200 pairs of Australasian Gannets come to Muriwai Beach every year as they find these cliffs the ideal location for nesting and breeding.
The cliff below looks like a mass of white spots, but in reality, this is where a majority of the adult Australasian Gannets tend to their young. The lighting in this picture highlights the white plumage and black wing tips on this Australasian Gannet as well as its yellow head, pale blue-grey bill and unique blue colored eyes.
Visitors to Muriwai Beach near Auckland, NZ can watch these amazing birds soar above the cliffs and the Tasman Sea or watch them feed their young amongst hundreds of others at their nesting and breeding grounds. Many like to go Muriwai Beach in the late afternoon to view the Australasian Gannets and then capture the beauty of the sunset span across the sky and highlight the coastal shores of the North Island of NZ.
Australasian Gannets, Morus serrator, Muriwai Beach, Muriwai, near Auckland, Waitakere, West Coast, North Island, New Zealand.
Picture: "Australasian Gannet Muriwai Beach Nesting Colony Auckland NZ"
Photographer: Rolf Hicker Photography
Photo Name: nzk3s9381 - Australasian Gannet Muriwai Beach Nesting Colony Auckland NZ
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