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About half way along the eastern beach on Ilot Ua two sea eagles (Pandion haliaetus) have built an elaborate nest with sticks and, surprisingly, some pumice rocks from the beach. These big birds of prey, also known as Ospreys, are efficient fishers and they have to be to provide for the two big brown-feathered chicks camouflaged in the nest.
My tiny GoPro Hero 3 - using the remote wifi from about 50 meters away - captured the parents tending their nest on this bright sunny day. As the remote wireless robot took the sphere image it also captured a sea snake serpenting up the sandy beach.
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New Caledonia is the closest South Pacific Island to Australia and New Zealand. It is a French Territory and although the official language is French the culture is a blend of Melanesian, European, Polynesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, and more. There is one large mountainous island called Grande Terre and 6 smaller islands - the three Loyalty Islands, Belep and the Isle of Pines.The islands are remarkably unpopulated and there are vast areas of wilderness. There are hundreds of kilometers of walking treks, camp grounds, more than 42 parks and reserves, and crystal clear rivers with sparkling waterfalls. Almost one third of the population is located in the capital city of Noumea. Nickel mining is the primary industry and is the major contributor to the high standard of living in the country. Grande Terre is surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world and the protected lagoon created by this barrier reef is the largest in the world. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008, the lagoon is 24,000 square kilometers and supports a diverse and luxuriant fauna of fish and invertebrates.The vibrant, clear and rich colors are one of the first things that visitors notice when they arrive. Noumea has a complete range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and activities to welcome visitors.
