More Mt. Cook

 

We got up early to beat the crowds but by the time we got to the trailhead it was pretty busy though there were still parking spots at $5 per hour (keep in mind there's no entrance fees at NZ national parks).

The trails were very busy and the birds were not very active, singing but not coming out.

We had to cross a long suspension bridge, (always a challenge for Connie). There was a 20 person limit which nobody seemed to be concerned about.  

But we did make it across without incident and continued on to the second bridge which was being reconstructed so the trail was closed.  

At one point it looked as though the clouds would part and we would see Mount Cook but they closed back again.

Just after we recrossed the bridge we spotted a large parrot flying across the river calling "Kea Kea kea."  It disappeared into the trees but we had seen the famous kea.  No photos but here is a Eurasian blackbird.  If it looks like a North American Robin that's because it is a fellow thrush.

Not endemic but very much at home

Our next stop was up the Tasman River Road.  No parking fees but the lot was full so we parked on the side of the road and ate our lunch in the sun with views of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman,

Then we made a short hike to the Tasman River and along a berm above Tasman Lake.

That's Mount Cook obscured by a cloud

And eventually the whole mountain was revealed.

Turns out our campsite had its own view of Mt. Cook!