Caught

Caught this dude fishing today... but only just.

The tide was almost in and the water was mill-pond-like. This dude would disappear under the water and re-emerge quite some way away in his quest to find breakfast. After watching him on and off as we tracked a similar path (me on terra firma obviously) I heard a flurry in the still morning air and was just in time to catch him with his catch.

It's days like this I wish I had a bigger zoom. Sadly these are already heavily cropped.

It was an awesome morning to be out to catch photos though. Doing the 100 Days Project is not only making me take my camera with me all the time, but really is making me look out for extraordinary things in my everyday environment. There are special things everywhere people!

How to Warm Up from a Chilly Start

This morning I thought I was mad... up and out the door in the semi darkness at 6:45am on a Saturday for an early morning training session on one of the coldest mornings of the year. 

As I left Leanne's cold-as-?@#$ garage-come-gym (granted, I was well warm by then) I commented on the lovely light that the freezing morning had given rise to, and what a shame it was that I didn't have my camera in the car.

On my drive home, as a reward for my good work, I planned the leisurely morning I felt I deserved, which revolved mostly around hot shower, hot coffee and comfy couch sitting. However when I drove past the local ponds, the frost and mist lured my photographer's eye and I found myself quickly calling in to home to grab my camera, and out to stalk my neighbourhood birdlife once again.

Lurking around the ponds, I patiently waited for birds to swim into the light etc, wishing I had a longer lens... but hey, you make do with what you can afford. As I was leaving, a series of swans and other birds were performing their morning ablutions where the larger pond spilled into the smaller on, creating a lovely reflection of their actions.  I love the 'contortionistic' shapes the swans made as they preened themselves. Far too many of that scene on the memory card, and hard to edit down to favourites.

Well over an hour later I made my way home for that coffee and shower. Despite my sodden feet and the fact I had had the flimsiest of coats on, I didn't feel the cold at all while I was out there. Funny the things that warm you up.

I thought they were blue?

Early morning appointment this morning, finished by 8 so I thought I would see if there was anything within the local Wattle Downs community worth photographing before I returned home. Whilst it is a pretty little peninsula surrounded by water - as the name peninsula suggests - there really is not a lot of attractive scenery to tempt a photographer.

My little adventure coincided with an early winter frost. Onlookers may have considered me mad as I wandered along what Wattle Downs residents consider a beach... I was disappointed that my general summation of the area in photographic terms was pretty accurate despite the tide being completely in, though a few water birds did catch my eye.

A spied what I believe was an oyster catcher, though my photos lacked the sharpness and proximity to be sure. It flew off as I approached. I was also unlucky with the fast moving and cheeky kingfishers who ceased their dipping and diving as I approached their fishing spot. I stood for quite some time amidst the frosty flora, waiting for them to leave their perches, but alas, they were too smart for me.

I did manage to steal a few photos of a heron. Now I thought it was a blue heron, but when I came home and did my research, turns out it's a white-faced heron.

True, it does have a white face. And general observation shows it really is grey not blue. Except when you photograph it in the silky morning blue-tinged water. I have posted the same photo twice here, one with the water painted in black and white so you really can see that I was right - it is BLUE.  In the first photo anyway. (No post processing on the blue either!)

It was worth a try

Early weekend starts to travel to dog shows recently have allowed me to observe the morning glory of the man-made ponds in Wattle Downs... mist rising... swans gliding... but traveling on a schedule puts paid to stopping for photo opportunities.
However waking ridiculously early has become annoyingly habitual in the one year when I don't HAVE to get up early to go to work. So this morning I decided rather than linger over my morning coffee, that I would get out and take some photos in this spot. Sadly I did not get one shot I was happy with. The mist was sadly lacking this morning, the birdlife decided not to swim into the light for me, and a green slime has invaded the water disrupting any chance of capturing any sort of reflective shots in the still water.
But seeing as I made the effort I thought I had better post a photo anyway... Better luck next time!

Bird Watching

Fulfilled another '50 Lister' yesterday, by visiting the Open Sanctuary island of Tiritiri Matangi with a group from the Manukau Photographic Society. Just a short ferry trip from Gulf Harbour (or a little longer from Auckland City - we chose to leave from Whangaparaoa to save central city parking fees!) is this little gem of a place which has been being developed as a sanctuary since 1984. I recall a School Journal story about the replanting of the island, and the development of the project can be found, along with heaps of other information, here.
One of the major goals of the project has been to develop colonies of NZ native birds in a predator free environment. Some are threatened, others not. Whilst we did not get to see any kokako, a drawcard of the visit to the island for bird watchers, our enthusiastic and learned volunteer guide pointed out many others.
The most 'frequent flyers' however, were the tui and the korimako (bellbird). They were especially prevalent at the man made feeding stations, and if you had your camera ready just at the right time, you could catch a shot! Had to be quick though!
The movie at the bottom is more for the 'soundtrack' than the moving pictures; at the final feeding station we happened upon, the bellbirds were in full chorus.
For a person who has not been especially interested in birds, this trip sure made me appreciate them and their qualities.

Female Korimako

Male Korimako

Any Suggestions?

Posting another dude from the ponds on Sunday. This fella was busy sunning himself in the early morning rays. I think there's something almost comical also (I refer to yesterday's post) about the pic above. Anyone have a suggestion for a caption/thought bubble? Something along the lines of ... "Now which pocket did I put it in?" or....

The other two photos I include just because I like the sequence.

Wait for meeeeeeee!

As I was 'swanning around' yesterday, the funniest sight caught my eye from across the pond. Someone had obviously arrived with a bag full of bread, which quickly had all the birds on the block making a beeline to the car park. It really did look hilarious, and this quick shot does not really capture the humour of the moment... or maybe it does? You tell me.

Sharpen Up

I am by nature a bit of a hoarder. This is not a good thing. I wish I had the ruthlessness of some - it would sure make keeping my drawers, cupboards and wardrobe tidier. When I do have a big hiff out, it's not as though I ever miss the stuff.
Not that I have had a purge today - no, my post is more about my attempts to curb this habit, which has infiltrated my digital storage! I thought I'd start with photos.
My photos take up a lot of file space on my machine, particularly as I shoot in RAW. Whilst I rarely download all that I take, I always end up with more on my machine than I need or like.
I have not been retrospective today, and definitely need to spend a good whack of time going through photos from the past 2 years and having a cull.
BUT so things don't get worse, I have made some new rules for myself today:

• Download only as many photos as you have time to 'fiddle' with in that session
• Shunt any that you really don't like to trash IMMEDIATELY

and the most important - and seemingly obvious -

• Don't keep anything that is not in focus.  Must. Be. Sharp.

Now you might say that today's pic is a little blurred in places, and you would be right.  However I quite like the movement shown by the less-than-sharp wings and feet. BUT the head and neck are uber sharp, so I have not broken my newly established, self imposed rule...

Taken back at the Wattle Downs ponds this morning when I found myself up nice and early, so went off 'swanning around' again...

Bird watching

I did not know I had a thing for birds, but I must admit I find them very appealing to look at through the lens. Not that these are spectacular shots, but the colours, I think, are amazing. Thanks again Franklin Zoo.

Nothing extraordinary here

I had intended to post a photo of the carnage at the NZKC grounds today, where exhibitors had left their gazebos etc out in readiness for a second day of outdoor showing. Following the storm we had here last night, it looked like a war zone. (Fortunately we have an indoor facility available too!). But I digress.

Sometimes it is the simple things that catch your eye.

These two little fellows, humble and common mynah birds, were taking shelter from the persistent rain as I drove up my driveway.

Some useless information about the mynah bird from here:
The same pair mate for year after year (My two do look like an old married couple up there)
Unlike most other birds, they walk, as opposed to hop.
"Mynah" is a geographical classification, as opposed to scientific. Mynah means "starling" in Hindi, and derives from the Sanskrit “madana,” meaning joyful or delightful, which comes from the word “mad,” to rejoice, which in turn derives from a root meaning “bubbles.” So ultimately the word “mynah” means “bubbling with joy.”