The Shag Tree

We headed up to Waikanae yesterday because there wasn't a lot happening at Pauatahanui and there is ALWAYS something to photograph at Waikanae. Yesterday was no exception!  The spoonbill (only one) was off in the distance and unreachable even with my big lens. There were pied stilts and pukekos, shags and ducks. It was just a case of finding what would capture my interest and make a good shot.

I started trying to photograph the shags flying in from the estuary but they were either too fast or changed directions too often and I never really managed to get the shot I wanted. I did manage to get one carrying some sticks back - he was obviously still nest building.  I looked around to see what else there was and found the cutest New Zealand Scaup (male) playing about in the water. He was there one minute and gone the next as he dived under the water out of sight.

Then we drove round the road and went looking at one of the shag trees. There are several that they roost in and one in particular had a couple of easily photographed nests. There were at least three different species of shags in the tree which I found absolutely amazing.  There were pied shags, little shags, and little black shags all nesting in the same neighbourhood.

I like to think I timed it right but then they are probably feeding the chicks constantly however I was very happy with the feeding shots I got. It is a shame that the nests are so messy among the branches but if you can get past that the birds are really interesting to observe. I certainly would not want to me a shag mamma, the kids would always be trying to get down your throat!

 

Waikanae Estuary

Judging the tides, the weather and the time available to me is not always easy. Yesterday we had the time and the tide, and after so many beautiful days I was hoping for blue skies too but when we arrived at Waikanae it was overcast and cloudy.  Strangely as we left, the clouds broke up and the blue sky was there after all - just a little bit late for me.

The Waikanae Estuary is a great place for bird photography, there are so many different species of bird that you can easily get close to if you are patient and quiet. I took a camp chair and sat and waited for the birds to come to me, and that is exactly what they did. I was hidden in the reeds so not seen as a threat. I will do this again as it worked so well. Comfortable too!

I was especially happy to see the Royal Spoonbills fly in. They are such majestic birds to photograph and it is not always easy to get too close to them. Again, the birds came to me so weren't worried about my being there - it was great! I just wish the clouds weren't about because the water looked so flat and grey.

I noticed that one of the Spoonbills had blood on the top of her head. She had obviously been in the wars somewhere and was quite annoyed with anyone who came too close to her. (I am assuming her gender, I could be wrong). She lashed out at the other two a few times while I was watching them.

Waikanae Estuary - Little Black Shag

Went back to the estuary this morning to see what was there. Unfortunately the tide was in and there were more people and dogs than there were birds. We had a bit of a look around and found some shags, seagulls and a few ducks. None of them really excited me but I am happy with these images of the little black shag.

Waikanae Estuary - White faced heron

While wading in the mud at low tide I met up with two guys and who had cameras way bigger than mine. One of them was concentrating on getting his shots, the other was really chatty. He gave me lots of advice on where to go and how to photograph the birds in the estuary. He was very helpful and we even compared some of our photos (in camera). These guys had seriously expensive gear and I felt like an amateur next to them. It is amazing just how intimidating a big white lens can be!

As they left they stopped by where my husband was sitting reading his book and commented that they hoped he had lots of money, because once the bug bites it bites hard and can be extremely expensive. Ha ha they are too late already!

The one piece of advice I remember the most was "If your feet aren't wet then you aren't close enough!" Not only were my feet and shoes wet but my nice white socks are now an icky brown! When these images were shot the light wasn't great and neither was the weather but I made the best of it and am happy with the results.