Guiding on a Wet Day

My tour group today was 100% Australian, full of bonhomie and intent on enjoying their holiday. Alas it was starting to spit as we left and Australians are not really used to rain, especially ones from Perth. They rushed in and bought plastic rain covers then off we set to see Zealandia and its wonders.
By the time we got to see the takahe it was teeming and I lost all of my group except four as they decided to head back to the comfort of the exhibition and the Rata cafe coffee.
The remaining four decided as they were wet already they would continue. I explained to them that probably all of New Zealand's birds originated from Australia blown over by the prevailing wind. Once here evolution sped up as they adapted to New Zealand's conditions with many losing the power of flight as it had lost its advantage in escaping predators.
We went on the Te Mahanga path to gain some protection from the rain and by the time we came out the rain had almost stopped. The four congratulated themselves on their decision to continue and were rewarded with the sight of kaka and kakariki.
On return we saw a lovely big tuatara and plenty of weta in the weta motels. Weta motels are upright logs attached to trees. These logs split down the middle with one half hinged to act as a door and the other half hollowed out in places to create a weta sleeping space. A piece of perspex is placed over the niches. People can then open the 'door' and observe weta in residence. Poor old weta. Nobody seems to like them and back off quite quickly upon seeing them. I explain they are harmless to no effect.

weta motel

We were back in plenty of time for once so we called in to look at the green tree geckos in their cage. These little specimens always have the total opposite effect on visitors as compared to the weta. People think they are gorgeous and ooh and ahh over them as they admire their lovely green colour flecked with pale yellow on their backs . I explain they are ovoviviparous, that they carry their eggs internally and give birth to live young, usually twins. If they open their mouths you will note they are blue and their tongues are yellow. If you give them honey to lick off your finger their tongues will turn red.
When we were young, it was still legal to keep them as pets and we got great enjoyment from them.
Nowadays you need permission to keep them and one of their threats to survival is poaching for private collections overseas.

The Wellington green gecko (photos by Carol Smith)

We got back in time to enjoy the shop and the exhibition.