Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – 2017. Cape Kidnappers is a headland at the south end of Hawke’s Bay. Three large farms occupy the Cape and they have joined together to form a privately owned wildlife sanctuary. At the headlands of the cape is the world’s largest mainland gannet colony. The Cape offers stunning view of Hawke’s Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It got its “Kidnapper” name from an incident between the local Maoris and Captain Cook in 1769.

Grey heron at a pond on the track to Cape Kidnappers

The cliffs looking north toward Hawke’s Bay

Cape Kidnappers Station. 2,000 hectares (5,000) acres with sheep, cattle and commercial forestry

Cape Kidnappers Station. 2,000 hectares (5,000) acres with sheep, cattle and commercial forestry

The cliffs looking north toward Hawke’s Bay

A pair of gannets – dance of the gannets’ recognition ritual

Gannets at Cape Kidnappers

Gannets at Cape Kidnappers

The headlands of Cape kidnappers

The coast line looking north from Cape Kidnappers. Hawke’s Bay is in the background

The lighthouse at Cape Kidnappers

Gannet in flight

Gannet in flight

Gannets in flight over Cape Kidnappers

A deep gully and stream crossing on the way to Cape Kidnappers

Herding cattle the modern way at Cape Kidnappers Station