Pukeko turns heads in town
SONIA O'REGAN
17/08/2012



A pukeko on a shopping spree turned heads in Blenheim this morning.

The native bird, nicknamed Vernon, first headed to the National Bank. He was not buzzed in through the electronic doors, and headed off along Market St.

Just like the bird on the Genesis Energy television advertisement, the pukeko appeared to be scoping out unconventional items for a nest. He wandered into the Good 2 U discount store and tried to retrieve the metal binding spiral of a text book.

Marlborough Express photographer Scott Hammond took pictures before working with the owner of the store, Paul Lim, to place the bird in a box to prevent it from coming to harm in traffic.

A passerby, Rex Gapper, said the bird had been hanging around town for weeks and he had nicknamed it Vernon, after his brother.

National Bank branch manager Nicky Strong offered the use of a back foyer where the bird was happily ensconced for a few hours with a bowl of water, awaiting collection.

''He's nice and safe, he's not going to get hit by cars,'' she said.

...more at link

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The story make a little more sense in the context of a series of NZ TV ads for "Genesis Energy"...

The ads featuring pukeko(s) walking about doing stuff

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I'd never heard of these birds before. They're beautiful, especially the chicks... and have such big feet!!

(I would have given Vernon the spiral from the notebook!)

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They are quite common around Auckland... seen in marsh area along the side of motorway (freeway) heading into central city

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I hope they are careful near the highways!!

I love those commercials!

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Ummmmmm..... They do get to become "road kill" from time to time

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light