Gannet Safaris Overland Ltd — Attraction in Hawke's Bay

THIS SPECTACLE SURPASSES ANYTHING IN THE GALAPOGAS A big statement, but we arrived there in comfort, courtesy of Gannet Safaris, Overland. This tour took us to the very edge of the gannet colony, there said to be 24,000 gannet on one little part of the cliff top. The fact that there is only a small wooden rail some 200 mm high separating you and the colony is unique when compared to Galapagos. In fact you can virtually touch a chick on the outer of the colony and landing adults virtually collide with you. Where else can you be so close to such a wonderful part of nature. At this time of the year the early hatchlings are close to flying and as the breeze strengthened they would spread their wings and flap continually, one at my feet lifting off the ground a few cm. We are told that their first flight will be to Australia, no practicing. They will spend about 4 years there and return with adult plumage to mate and continue their next two decades of life in NZ, breeding one chick per year. Why they chose this cliff top for a colony begs the question? Just amazing, a David...

A great morning, the ride up to the Gannet's was really not what I was expecting, Marcus, well his badge told us he was Marcus but who knows with his jokes. He told us about the surroundings and how the sanctuary was formed, and he made it interesting and fun, although what I would call dad jokes so early in the day I was not ready for it.

Once at the gannets there are so many and they really don't mind the humans, they swoop in so low, but missed us all, we go the time to have a a walk around and really look at them, and for those with a sensitive nose you can't help but smell them as well. You spend time at one colony but you can see one of the others down from the lighthouse.

Take any camera or phone and you will have the chance to take some lovely shots. You don' t need to worry about having a big lens you get close enough. But I am a keen photographer and took a larger lens which was great for capturing them coming back to land. #Had the chance to see chicks of various sizes and if you looked carefully a couple of eggs as well.

A well...

Just magnificent. Seeing the Gannett and thier community living is an example for us to share and live in small spaces. The older yellow necked Gannet soaring over the ocean and the skies is a sight to behold.... they let the wind beneath thier wings help glide and will flap only when needed. The young chicks are gaining in strength by flapping thier wings continuously so that when the morrow comes for them to soar they will have the confidence to leave the ground beneath thier two small feet. They have a long journey ahead...to Australia and back. Seeing the manifestation of the Lord's work in all of it. And the views from the top of the mountains are breath taking. The weather was just perfect...the sun glistening over the green blue ocean and the mountains around standing in all majesty appreciating the freedom of the waves...