This evening we met this Northern New Zealand Dotterel here on our home beach, Waihi Beach. Unbeknownst to us, we were very close to her little sand scrape which serves as a nest for two eggs. These birds are rather endangered and are more at risk than some species of Kiwi, according to the Department of Conservation. It certainly must be a tough job trying to raise a family right on the edge of the high tide mark, where animals and people could easily crush the eggs or the water could wash them away. I'll have to keep and eye on this pair to see if they can be successful this year. 

That's my bicycle in the background and luckily for me, I had my little Sony A6000 in my hands with the the Sigma art 19mm lens. I simply bent down to the birds level and used the tilt screen to frame my shot. I didn't even need a zoom as this little fellow was coming in rather close. I may return tomorrow with the Nikon d700 and the 70-200mm as I really don't want to get so close again and disturb the pair.  What a neat experience it was though. Lets hope the weather doesn't bring any nasty surprises for these guys. 

Time is speeding up! I'm convinced of it. As each day draws to a close, often I am left wondering if I did anything constructive today. I don't mean tasks only -although that is how we often measure our worth - by our productiveness. But what if it was more important to look at the differences we made for someone else each day? . Did I love someone today?  Did I make a positive difference in someone else's life? Is it that difficult? Often being friendly and asking people how they really are and sticking around for the answer can make all the difference. On those days when I am needing TLC from another and don't feel able to give out anything positive, choosing to bless someone anyway often makes me feel better too. Food for thought? 

This shot was taken at the destination of a days worth of riding on the back of a motorcycle. What an amazing experience, watching the

This beautiful boy and his sister were brought into the Aid post where our primary health care team were working for the day in the village of Akoma in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea . His whole family came in together — Dad, Mum, eldest son, sister and baby. They came to get their vaccinations updated. Otherwise healthy, I was struck by their sombre, almost fearful demeanor towards me. Try as I might, I could not get them to smile. I even gave them a loom band each — they were unmoved.  Their parents were jovial and chatty and this discord struck me. I got to thinking what it must feel like to be taken to some weird looking foreign people whom you don't even understand, to have needles jabbed into you and be told that this was good! I think me personally, I would be running, screaming and making a fuss. This was not the case with these beautiful children. They have a stoical strength that is much to be admired.  So many, many times on this trip where my function was to minister to others — I was indeed ministered to. I was reminded countless times of where the  real value in life resides. 

How time flies! Thankfully so can we, albeit in aeroplanes and other man made craft. This image signifies the start of  some most interesting adventures that I have recently had. I plan to update my blog with more fresh materiel from these adventures, but in the meantime, not many people can claim this excuse.."I'm sorry, I couldn't update my blog because I was shot in a foreign country". If I was in school it would have been a classic. Who needs the standard "dog eating homework" excuses. Actually, being shot has probably less to do with it than pure busyness and lack of internet connectivity, which in themselves are great reasons. 
We left home at 2am for a 2 hour drive to Auckland Airport. Leaving Aotearoa just before 7am  and arriving and departing Brisbane within just over an hour was a whirl, with this shot being one of the better views I got as we transferred on to our connection to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. Our final flight destination. The adventure begins...