National Geographic Orion eased her way through a passage in the coral reef to reach a Melanesian paradise known as New Caledonia. After a short drive into the highlands, we were quickly reminded of the antiquity of this ancient piece of Gondwanan crust. The plants included a native cycad, whose fossil history predates the dinosaurs. The sprawling branches of the Cook’s pine bathed the forest walkways in luxurious dappled light, as we searched for equally intriguing bird life.
We didn’t have to wait long before the feathered gems of the forest began to reveal themselves. The striking plumage of the emerald dove brilliantly reflected the morning light. Endemic white eyes raced from branch to branch, casually eluding the best of our photographers. Without warning, the prize of the forest emerged from the dense underbrush. A pair of kagu momentarily slipped into view while our photographers scrambled for their cameras. These enigmatic birds are the sole members of an obscure family, which may be most closely related to the South American sun bittern. Sporting a bright red bill with orange legs and silver plumage, the kagu is a stunning reminder that the remote corners of our planet hold some of earth’s best kept secrets.
