Blog - Vista del Sol Diary
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Bell Bird in Cherry Blossom
Bell Birds have been in the garden for the last couple of weeks, they are very elusive and have a very distinctive call. This one was in the Cherry Blossom sipping at the nectar for several days
Vista del Sol gains 4 1/2 star Rating on first review
We are pleased to gain a 4 1/2 star rating from Qualmark on our first review - we were only a few points off 5 star and the inspection was a month earlier than planned when we were not really ready at all as our official opening being another month away - 4 1/2 star is described as excellent - consistently achieves high quality levels with a wide range of facilities and services. A 5 star is well within our reach and we will have to decide whether to ask for a review together with properly assessing our environmental work. The Qualmark is New Zealand Tourism's official quality mark - it is quite a rigerous process and we are proud to be demonstrating our commitment to providing the best possible experience for domestic and international tourists
Kereru - New Zealand Wood Pigeon
Two Kereru, the New Zealand Wood Pigeon, fly in daily to eat the growing flower buds on the Virgilia Tree - they turn up prior to spring for a feed and then after christmas when the flowers are setting into to seed pods - they share the tree then with half a dozen Rosella Parakeets who also visit and make a real mess of the blossom. The Kereru are noisy fliers and are quite a big bird.
Morepork - New Zealand Owl - Nightly Visitor
At dusk a Morepork -the New Zealand Owl - flies into the garden - he (it) always flies to the Vigilia Tree - pictured above - for a look around before going hunting - we hear him at night calling occasionally but this is the first time we have seen him regularly
Satin the Timor Pony
These are pictures of Satin the Timor pony, who everyone falls in love with - see Jasmine's comment in visitor comments http://www.vistadelsol.co.nz/view-comments/ Satin is a darling - only hip high, around 14 years old, had two foals, grew up in a farmyard with ducks, geese, a fawn, cats and dogs - tame as anything, thinks she is a dog, licks your hand and will follow you around and lie down on the grass with you - loves kids to death and is quite ridable with a small saddle etc - she is always ready for a treat and is boss over all the other horses - mainly because I think she thinks she is not a horse
Welcome Swallows
The pair of welcome swallows has had a good year, they produced 4 offspring, and have kept us entertained with their aerial feats for months - they compete with the resident fantails and catch insects on the wing - they have kept the puppy fit with him galloping around after them, they have just split the family - Mum and Dad are still here with the youngsters having migrated to warmer climates?, or, maybe to the neighbors - I wonder where they go?
