Inquisitive kea meets tourist in Arthur's Pass

A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa

A story imagining a kea and its mates meeting a tourist in Arthur's Pass

Kea, Parrots, Birds, Native birds, Arthur's Pass, Mountains, Southern Alps, Humour

This fictional story using DigitalNZ images was inspired by seeing an inquisitive kea during a TranzApine train journey through Arthur's Pass when travelling from Christchurch to Greymouth. It imagines what a kea may see and say to other kea when tourists visit Arthur's Pass.

Image: Kea

Follow me.....let's go exploring around Arthur's Pass and its mountains!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

What a beautiful day to go flying! Wait - that sounds like a car engine...

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: kea at Arthur's Pass

Yes! and the car is heading towards the tourist carpark!

kea at Arthur's Pass

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Curious Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Hey Joe - I've got an idea.

Curious Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Kea- Adult & Juvenile, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Let's go the the carpark and check out the car and meet the driver!

Kea- Adult & Juvenile, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Kea

Get ready to land on the handrail...

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Oops - bit too fast.

Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Careful now.

Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Kea

Whew! Made it safely.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Aha - I see the red car is parked nearby.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

The lady driver is walking over to the railing. Here's my chance to make a new friend!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Kia ora! Welcome to Arthur's Pass. My name is Yaka.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

It is lovely to meet you.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Yes, I'm a mountain parrot - we are called 'kea'.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

My friends Joe, Mickey and Gigs are over there looking our way.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Yes, we'd love to share some information about Arthur's Pass and what we do each day.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Hey Joe - I've got an idea. How about you do this...

Kea

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Bird's eye view; kea above the scres slopes at Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

Joe is flying over to the nearest bush to show you what we like to eat.

Bird's eye view; kea above the scres slopes at Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

mychillybin

Image: Kea

This is one of the flowers we get nectar from.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Joe's brought some to share with you!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Our friends Mickey and Gigs will head over to the cars so you can see what we love to do!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

"You go that way Gigs and I'll go this way", says Mickey.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

I can keep a lookout on both of them from this roofing.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

There's Gigs checking out the windscreen wipers - the rubber is easy to strip off!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Mickey is atop the kayak on the roof rack - fancies being a kayaker!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

We enjoy flying.....

Roof Surfing Kea, Arthurs Pass, NZ

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Kea

Soaring through the air to the snowy ridges of the Southern Alps!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Whee - we don't need skis!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

We explore the grasslands...

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Forage for berries...

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

And rest up high on the grassy slopes overlooking the highway.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Looks like the fog is starting to settle in the hills - no more signtseeing for now.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Here they come - Mickey and Gigs are back from their flights.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Beautiful landing, Mickey!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

There's Joe over there drinking water from the fountain.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Yes, it is getting late - guess it is time for us to say goodbye.

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Kea

Haere rā. Lovely to have met you. Safe travels!

Kea

iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao

Image: Central South Island

Central South Island

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Porters Pass to Arthur’s Pass

Porters Pass to Arthur’s Pass

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage