SPRING IS HERE

SPRING IS HERE

 

I can always tell when Spring is here because a pair of mallard ducks start knocking at my door... every Spring without fail the pair arrive on our front deck and tap on our glass sliding door wanting a feed. Spring is finally here!!! and the breeding, nesting and hatching has begun! What a wonderful time of year for a wildlife photographer. Amongst the earthquake rubble the daffodils are in full flower and our city is being transformed by Spring's vivid colours!

| Above: A pied shag with stunning breeding colours |

Lately I've been busily trying to get my images organised and I've spent the last few weeks editing and sorting through a huge number of photos... and I can happily say that I'm almost done (phew!). I always prefer to be out with the camera rather than behind a computer, although I find it interesting going through old pictures and re-discovering photos and trips again.

It's been great doing talks for photography clubs and societies... and I had a wonderful time talking to the New Brighton Photography Club on Tuesday night - what a good bunch of people! I'm looking forward to meeting and talking to the members of the Greymouth Photography Club next month and spending some time photographing some of the birds on the west coast!

 | Above & Below: The endemic Black-fronted tern |

Last Friday night a friend and I threw our kayaks on the car and headed up the coast to a place called Kaikoura to spend the weekend kayaking around the peninsula. There is always something special about kayaking around the peninsula and we were treated by some great weather, some fantastic views and great wildlife like the New Zealand fur seals. 

A special moment for me was when a reef heron flew directly over our kayaks and landed on the rock platform a few metres away. The photos below are  some of the photos of the reef heron (Egretta sacra) feeding... what a buzz considering that these secretive herons are not a common sighting in New Zealand, especially in the south island.

 

  

| Above: A banded dotterel strolls amongst the weed on the Kaikoura Peninsula |

| Above: A New Zealand dotterel preening | Below: Shag Pile, Christchurch |

It's been fantastic to have the very talented Karen Neal use some of my photos as references for her wonderful wildlife paintings. I received a print of the wonderful kingfisher painting 'Gone Fishing' recently... go check out her work!

Spring greetings

It’s that time of year again, time to defrost and shake off the winter blues! For a wildlife photographer Spring’s arrival brings so much anticipation and excitement. It’s a time to capture the essence of new life from territorial disputes to nesting birds and incredible courting displays. It’s a time to finish last year’s projects and to start new ones… so much to do and so little time. This is truly an amazing time of year!!!

So here's a few spring shots to start of another season :) 

Pukeko Nest, Christchurch

  

Pukekos are very social birds, and copulation and courtship within a territory occurs between all adults members, this social breeding is thought to help synchronize sexual cycles allowing several females to lay in the same nest at the same time.  Incubation is shared by both males and females and only adults incubate. Each female will lay up to 6 eggs, and a communal nest can have up to 12 eggs from 2-3 females.

Pukeko chick, Christchurch

Being highly social birds, all birds in a territory assist with chick care, so each chick may have a parent, aunt/uncle, older brother/sister as a minder. In this photo an older family member helps feed a chick.

 

Variable Oystercatchers, Opoutere Beach

A pair of endemic variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) patrol their territory. Variable oystercatchers are very territorial during the breeding season and will defend their territories sometimes aggressively. Nests are laid in a shallow dish of sand or shingle where the female lays 2-3 eggs.

Black swan cygnets, Christchurch

In this photo two black swan cygnets hitch a ride on mum's back. Parents often carry young cygnets on their backs  for protection and warmth. Cygnets are tended by their parents for approximately 6 months.

Banded dotterel nest, Lake Ellesmere

The banded-dotterel nest is a simple, well disguised scrape in the ground where usually 2-3 eggs are laid. Incubation is shared by both sexes. In April most birds migrate to Australia or the north of the North Island where they escape the cool temperatures of the South Island winter (smart birds).  Notice the two bands across the birds breast which give the bird its name.