What Sound?

We’d been looking forward to the trip today as we’d been told about the magical Milford Sound. In fact, it is not really a “sound” as this refers to a ria or drowned river valley. Milford is one of fourteen fjords which, as everyone who has done geography “O” level/GCSE will remember, is a drowned glacial valley. When the glaciers were huge and reached as far as this, they gouged out massive amounts of rock leaving a typical “U“ shaped valley. Now sea levels are higher and have invaded the inlet the sides rise vertically from the water in many places giving rise to many waterfalls and producing wonderful photo opportunities.

We were very privileged to see two Fjordland-crested penguins. The species was endangered and although we wanted to see one, we weren't that hopeful. Apparently they mate for life, so if one of them dies the other does not produce any more little ones, which is one of the reasons numbers had become low. As we reached the limit of our cruise down the coast and were about to turn back the couple emerged from the boulders and stood as if waiting to be photographed!

Other wildlife spotted on rocks were fur seals, basking in the sun, as well as a variety of other unidentified birds.

The kea is the world’s only alpine parrot and one of them hopped down near to the bus as we stopped by a mountain stream to collect water and take photos. While standing it looks slightly green with a little blue visible under its wings, but with wings outspread, it apparently is brightly coloured. The birds have a reputation for curiosity and are known to pinch food from unsuspecting tourists.

Jean