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Philip Game | profile | all galleries >> Western Pacific, 2013 (9 galleries) >> Riviere Bleue Provincial Park, New Caledonia tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Norfolk Island | Riviere Bleue Provincial Park, New Caledonia | Rennell and Makira Islands (Solomon Islands) | Honiara, Solomon Islands | Kolombangara, Solomon Islands | Return to Honiara (2013) | Kavieng, New Ireland (PNG) | New Ireland's East Coast | New Britain, PNG

Riviere Bleue Provincial Park, New Caledonia

A day's shore excursion to the Riviere Bleue Provincial Park, 90 minutes drive southeast of Noumea, New Caledonia, and best known as a sanctuary for the endangered kagu or cagou, the signature bird of this French overseas territory. Some images here date back to a 2003 visit to the Park, after which I wrote this article about the island's unique natural environment.

The 2013 adventure cruise with Heritage Expeditions set forth from Christchurch, New Zealand, north through Norfolk Island, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands to the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea.

NEW CALEDONIA: Four a.m. on the dockside in Noumea (mobile phone pic)
NEW CALEDONIA: Four a.m. on the dockside in Noumea (mobile phone pic)		 The public road ends here at the Pont de Perignon
The public road ends here at the Pont de Perignon		 Crossing the Pont de Perignon, Riviere Bleue
Crossing the Pont de Perignon, Riviere Bleue
Lac de Yate, a large man-made reservoir
Lac de Yate, a large man-made reservoir		 Forested hill country in the Park
Forested hill country in the Park		 Early morning on the Lac de Yate
Early morning on the Lac de Yate
Early morning on the Lac de Yate
Early morning on the Lac de Yate		 Birdwatchers raring to go... (mobile phone pic)
Birdwatchers raring to go... (mobile phone pic)		 Birdwatchers let loose in the forests (New Caledonia)...
Birdwatchers let loose in the forests (New Caledonia)...
Reflections in a forest stream
Reflections in a forest stream		 Reflections in a forest stream
Reflections in a forest stream		 Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants		 Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants		 Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants
Visitor information - in French, naturally
Visitor information - in French, naturally		 A boardwalk leads to the Grand Kaori, or Big Kauri Pine
A boardwalk leads to the Grand Kaori, or Big Kauri Pine		 The 40-metre tall Grand Kaori, Agathis lanceolata , believed more than a thousand years old
The 40-metre tall Grand Kaori, Agathis lanceolata , believed more than a thousand years old
Learning about Le Cagou, the Kagu
Learning about Le Cagou, the Kagu		 A kagu makes an appearance
A kagu makes an appearance		 The kagu, Rhynochetos jubatus
The kagu, Rhynochetos jubatus
Pioneer conservator Yves Letocart plays Kagu calls (2003)
Pioneer conservator Yves Letocart plays Kagu calls (2003)		 Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants		 Rainforest plants
Rainforest plants
Leaves pressed into the muddy puddles
Leaves pressed into the muddy puddles		 Tiny red fungi
Tiny red fungi		 The New Caledonia parakeet
The New Caledonia parakeet
Montrouziera gabriellaei Endemic to nickel-rich soils of the maquis minier
Montrouziera gabriellaei Endemic to nickel-rich soils of the maquis minier 		Madeleine Falls, where a stand of very rare araucarian conifers survives
Madeleine Falls, where a stand of very rare araucarian conifers survives		 French scientist displays a speciment of garnierite, rich in nickel
French scientist displays a speciment of garnierite, rich in nickel

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Cathryn27-Apr-2013 22:58
Very interesting. It looks like an unspoilt environment.
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