FIORDLAND FEATHERS.

Day 89 of our 100-day expedition through Fiordland searching for unpaddled whitewater.

We landed on a beach at the entrance of Bligh Sound. After setting up camp and having a look around, I noticed a small cave tucked into the corner of the shoreline. Curiosity got the better of me, so I climbed over a bank of gravel pushed up by the Tasman swells of the sea.

On the other side was a Tawaki penguin (Fiordland Crested), completely unaware I was there. I just watched, enjoyed the moment, then left.

The next morning I came back, camera ready, a few extra layers on, and tucked myself into the cave entrance opposite a tiny waterfall that gently fell into it. Then I waited.

Nothing... Then, after about two hours, the sun finally started to creep in. A young Tawaki hopped its way out, stopping for a drink and a wash under the falls, completely unaware of me just a few metres away.

This shot is a close up of its feathers still wet, water beading and running down its back.