-
Pukeko at the lake. π¦
-
Looked out the front door and spotted these two young pheasants moseying about. π¦ They scurried off when they saw me though.
-
This is one of Aotearoa New Zealandβs smallest birds, often heard but seldom seen. I got lucky a few months back. Riroriro, Grey Warbler π¦ :
Length: 11 cm; Weight: 5.5 - 6.5 grams
-
Up, up, down, down. π¦ Canada Geese, on the wing.
-
These ring-necked pheasants are very common round here. They’re splendid birds, but also kind of incredible. That eye belongs in a cartoon. π¦
-
We see Kingfishers around here quite often β usually in the garden. I didn’t really expect to see this little one on the beach yesterday. π¦ KΕtare, Sacred kingfisher
-
These Rock pigeons, although common everywhere, are actually not that easy to find at Waikawa Beach. π¦ I first spotted them a few months ago, but it was only yesterday things came together for a quick photo of one. It flew away immediately. π
-
These two annoyingly distant Spur-winged Plovers were at the beach this morning. I’ve been wanting to get photos of them, but am a bit disappointed with the results. π¦
-
I was never really very fond of gulls, but Iβm coming to quite like the ones at Waikawa Beach. Tarapunga, Red-billed gull. π¦
-
This morning on the beach I was lucky enough to get a decent shot of this Tuturiwhatu, Banded dotterel π¦:
Length: 20 cm; Weight: 60 g
A small compact brown and white plover with a short black bill, relatively long dark legs and large round dark eyes. -
Two photos from a couple of days ago of a Kawau, Pied Shag at the beach. π¦
Length: 65 - 85 cm; Weight: 1.3 - 2.1 kg; A large, relatively slim β¦shag β¦ white face, black feet, blue eye-rings, yellow facial skin. Black back, nape and upperwings β¦ white throat, breast and belly.
-
A new favourite photo: a Kuaka Godwit at the edge of the sea today. π¦
-
Busy day but it started with a dawn beach walk and an encounter with Taranui, Caspian terns. π¦
-
Love this: Scientists Attached Tracking Devices to Magpies π¦:
Within 10 minutes β¦ we witnessed an adult female β¦ trying to remove the harness off of a younger bird.
β¦ By day 3, even the dominant male of the group had its tracker successfully dismantled.
// @jayeless
-
Finally refreshed the straw and shavings in the front part of the quail run. π¦ Put the soiled straw round nearby vege garden. Trimmed back flax plant for easier access to quail run. The quail should love to scratch the straw around. It’s all in a hill at the moment.
-
I tend to see ngutupapa, Royal Spoonbills on the beach solitary, in pairs or even three at a time. Today is the first time I’ve seen a flock of maybe 12 or 15 β I was unable to actually count because of distance and the big piece of driftwood. π¦ See moreβ¦
-
When Canada Geese, Oystercatchers or Pied Stilts fly over you know all about it, thanks to the racket they make. π¦ With other birds you hear the clatter of wings. You're lucky to spot the gorgeous Royal Spoonbills though as they glide over completely silently.
-
The amazing Kuaka, Godwit flies between Aotearoa New Zealand and the Arctic every year to feed and breed. π¦ They are a similar size to the more delicate Pied Stilt. These were on the shore this morning.
-
The other day I took photos of a Karoro, Southern black-backed gull as it flew by. Hand held. Pretty pleased with the results. π¦
Black-backed gulls are often seen on the waterβs edge where they scavenge corpses and fish frames washed up on the tide.
-
I haven’t spotted any Pukeko at the lakes recently so was glad to see a couple at sunrise today. π¦
-
I borrowed on paper from the Library Backyard Bird Photography: How to Attract Birds to Your Home and Create Beautiful Photographs, 2014, by Mathew Tekulsky π¦
Not so much a “How-To” as a “How I did”. Disappointing and I was also concerned cameras have advanced a lot since then.
-
Wow, this 28 minute film is entrancing: Hargila π¦ :
Through the efforts of a remarkable conservation leader, Dr. Purnima Devi Barman β¦ the [endangered Greater Adjutant storks] are now protected, celebrated, and increasing their numbers locally.
Gorgeous photography.
-
I’ve seen a few Spur-winged plovers around recently but haven’t had a chance to take a photo of them yet. This picture from October 2018 will have to do for now. π¦
-
This photo from February 2020 turns out the be the only one I have of a Goldfinch. π Poor little mite flew into our window and was stunned. π¦ Need to look out for one to take photos of.
-
I’m learning a heap of useful info from the free videos from The Cornell Lab Bird Academy. Here’s one example: Inside Birding: Size & Shape.
If you want to learn more about birds this is great stuff! π¦