A kiwi seemed to have caught what made the sound. Video shows the insect much better than the photos. Photos are captured from video.
Observed wandering across the path among scrub and Manuka. The first one I’ve ever seen in the wild up close.
Handled with research permit
Update: DNA results confirm this as a Canterbury Grass Skink, Oligosoma aff. polychroma, clade 4.
Found by Okarito resident formally reported by DOC to the national herp database.
Middle of hillside paddock with calf high grass. Didn't want to catch him so. It greatest photos.
One gecko under rock on outcrop.
Approximately 150mm from nose to tail, dark green with tan stripes on back with pink belly, living in eroded volcanic rubble with tussock and shrub surrounding.
Locality: NEW ZEALAND AK, Western Springs Park
Habitat: Small swampy pond (nearly dry).
Identification: Hyphydrus elegans (Montrouzier, 1860)
11.5 m long dead sperm whale on the beach
Ohaka heads, Whatipu beach, Waitakere Ranges
20020411_044
A Kaka Kura or Red Variant at Zealandia
Location is approximate, we were somewhere between the Auckland Islands and Macquarie Island...I've guessed, but I think we were in Australian waters.
Hopefully this shows patterns better than previous pic
Gecko
Hoplodactylus species
Blue-Green eye