Last Sunday I participated in a “Bio Blitz” in one of our many parks here in Auckland. The mission was to spot and identify as many birds, insects, snails, geckos, skinks, spiders, etc. 
as we could within the span of two hours. About a dozen folks showed up and it was a very successful adventure, especially for the youngsters in the group. My favorite shots from the 
outing were these two of an Australian pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius), commonly called a shag here, with her chick, in her nest on a nearby tree overhanging the water.
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krikitarts 
Welcome back to the blogging world. Glad to hear you found the bio blitz rewarding.
By the way, that kind of shag is one of the birds I managed to photograph in NZ:
I remember that well, and it’s good to see it again, Steve.
What a treasure, to see the chick, too. Could we say that’s the Shag who spied you?
Oh dear, Linda, you’ll have Mike Myers after you if you’re not more careful. Yep, the chick was a really unexpected treat. I prefer the first, with the two in similar profile, but CD likes the one where you can see the chick beak-on, apparently staring into the camera like a beacon, if I may so say.
Another thought rises to the surface: ‘Twas I who saw them first, and the two of them were, of course, both in the same nest, so we could also say that I shot the share, if you take my meaning.
Hi Gary, it’s good to hear from you again. I have fond memories of encountering this bird in various corners of NZ during our visit in 2018 but never saw any chicks, so thank you for correcting that omission. 🙂
Happy to help. They tend to keep them carefully under feathered wraps and out of sight. This is the first time I’ve seen one too, to my delight.
Nice to see another blog from you, Gary. Long time no see and you were missed. I’ve never participated in a bioblitz but they are fun from what I hear. Nice shots of the shag and chick. She obviously likes her nest to have a room with a view.
I’m afraid that perch would be more than a little wobbly when the wind is up, which it has been frequently in past weeks. Still, they seemed to be quite happy with it. Thanks, Steve.
It’s good to hear that you participated in the blitz. I’ve never done that but years ago I participated in bird counts. Your cormorant is a handsome one! We have three that are possible to see from the island here but all are almost completely dark/black. This one’s refreshing (for me) and how nice to catch it on a nest! But I’m confused – on a nest now? It’s not your fall?