Otago Peninsula Wildlife-Artworks

Watercolour and pencil artworks that we done to go along with our mini study on wildlife in the peninsula region

Albatross

Along with the wandering albatross, northern royal albatross are one of the largest seabirds in the world.

There are two species of royal albatross, southern and northern. The southern is slightly larger than the northern. At sea it can be distinguished from the northern by its white upper wings with black edges and tips, whereas the upper wings of the northern are completely black.

Royal albatrosses are some of the longest-lived birds in the world, regularly living into their 40s.

The nesting area on the headland at Taiaroa Head on the Otago Pensinsula is a 'hot spot' - a sheltered area where summer ground temperatures can reach 50 degrees celsius. These conditions aren't ideal for a genus that's far better adapted to subantarctic conditions, but they chose this place.

Toroa have great spiritual significance to many iwi. For example Moriori of the Chatham Islands wear plumes (raukura) of hopo (the local name for toroa) to signify their allegiance to the pacifist principles of the chief Nunuku Whenua. Taranaki iwi likewise wear toroa feathers to signify loyalty to the Parihaka prophet Te Whiti O Rongomai, a pioneer of non-violent civil disobedience

Click for Albatross Cam on the Otago Peninsula

Blue Penguin

The world’s smallest penguin – little penguin (also known as little blue penguin) – is just over 25 cm tall and weighs around 1 kg.Little penguins often return to where they hatched.
Click here to view Little Blue Penguins