FIRST PLACE
Saryu Mae - Pīwakawaka Catching Flies
"I met this friendly Pīwakawaka/ Fantail in my garden in west Auckland, New Zealand. It was trying its best to catch flying insects in the morning, so I used fast shutter speed (1/4000) to freeze the motion of both of the flies and the bird. The dark background is thanks to the fast shutter speed and it helps showing the amazing morphology of this bird."
Guest Judge Michaela Skovranova's Comments
"The Pīwakawaka, or New Zealand fantail, is a small, insect-eating bird endemic to New Zealand. The image skillfully captures its playful nature as it twirls through the air, showcasing its tiny, agile body as it catches flies mid-flight. There is a lovely balance of light and shadow luminating the wings and a slight glimmer of light in its eye. This moment highlights one of New Zealand's iconic garden visitors captured with beautiful detail and light showcasing the Pīwakawaka's role in the delicate balance of the ecosystem."
More About Saryu
Hello! My name is Saryu Mae, an amateur wildlife photographer and invertebrate researcher living in Auckland, New Zealand.
How did you get into photography?
Since childhood, my largest interest has been natural science, in particular invertebrate taxonomy (studies of things like snails, insects etc).Therefore, learning photography became a necessity for me. I had been using a old compact camera for long, but last year I started a part time job and finally became able to purchase cameras and lenses which I needed. I am currently 17 years old so this is my second year since I started taking photography seriously.
Why did you choose this image to enter?
I personally love this image because it shows the feeding behaviour of the fantail while we can also appreciate the beauty of the flight feathers. And importantly, it fits the theme of ''Garden bird'' very well.
What was the most challenging aspect of capturing this image?
Capturing the randomly flying fantail within the frame is no easy task, especially when you want them as big as possible in the frame. Also getting a clean background depends a lot on luck. I took way more than 2000 failed images before getting this one shot.
What gear did you use?
Nikon Z 9 camera and 500mm F5.6 PF lens adapted via FTZ adapter.
What are your tips & tricks for photographing birds for beginners?
Wild birds are not our pets, so we need to be very careful when photographing them. Especially nesting birds should not be disturbed. To capture natural behaviour like this flying fantail, it is crucial to wait until birds come towards you. It could take hours until the bird comes to a good position, but that is when you get the best shot.
What is your favourite New Zealand Bird?
Pīwakawaka / New Zealand Fantail! I find the geographical colour variations of this species absolutely fascinating and my dream is to see them all.It's the fluffiest bird, too.
PEOPLES CHOICE
Diego Carena-Santiago - Juvenile kārearea
"Portrait of a juvenile kārearea that curiously landed In a nearby coprosma."
More About Diego
I'm Diego, and I'm currently studying a Bachelor in Zoology at the University of Otago. I was born in the United States but moved to Aotearoa around 2017.
How did you get into photography?
I've always been interested in the arts and started taking photos around 2018, but I never really got into it until 2021! I started with my interests, those being landscapes and military aircraft, but my first photo of a tui and I was hooked!
Why did you choose this image to enter?
When I chose my entries I mostly interpreted garden birds as those in my local area. Living in the Mackenzie Basin there is a huge range of wildlife, and many of these are just outside my door! This karearea was taken along my morning walk, a juvenile which recently appeared along the path.
What was the most challenging aspect of capturing this image?
In terms of difficulty, the hardest part was consistency! The karearea would often not appear for days and even up to a week and it was rather demoralizing as the area it has been frequenting is ever-increasing in grazing and intensive agriculture. When I'm home during the holidays I walk that way twice a day and it's hard to see such a beautiful area changing so quickly.
What gear did you use?
To take the photo I used my Canon 200d mkii and my Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens!
What are your tips & tricks for photographing birds for beginners?
I have only really committed to bird photography in the last couple of years so my one tip would be to practice, practice, and practice! It's important to get inspiration from other photographers, understand their thought process and use of light and composition. However, it's just as important to understand your gear! Every photo I take teaches me something about the camera.
What is your favourite New Zealand Bird?
My favorite bird here in Aotearoa would have to be either the Tītitipounamu or the Antipodean Albatross. It was hard to pick just those two though!
RUNNERS UP
Brendon Doran - Thrush's Song
“Very early in the morning and the sun was about to pop over the hill. It was 3 degrees and it felt like it. Still, the birds were singing and it was amazing to see the song of this thrush manifest in its steaming breath.”
Guest Judge Michaela Skovranova's Comments
"The photograph captures a songbird many are familiar with across New Zealand. The scene is beautifully composed, with mist gently escaping from the bird's open beak, indicating the chill in the air. This delicate detail transports me to this serene early morning winter scene."
Kelvin Wright - A pair of Swallows building a nest
Guest Judge Michaela Skovranova's Comments
"Playfully caught mid-flight as it approaches its companion seemingly in conversation, or perhaps an argument? The blue and orange plumage of the birds is illuminated by natural light, highlighting the intricate details and creating a stunning contrast against the soft green and yellow hues of the background. The image exudes a sense of energy."
John Lambert - Twisting by the Pool
“Tauhou, 'Twisting by the Pool'. Taken at the bird bath on our deck.”
Guest Judge Michaela Skovranova's Comments
"This delightful photograph captures a very playful moment of tauhou in its element. . The droplets of water suspended in the air around it create a lively and dynamic scene. The image showcases the bird's energetic and agile nature and is a pleasure to witness it fully immersed in its playful activity."
Ross Mear - Welcome swallow enjoying the sun
Guest Judge Michaela Skovranova's Comments
"A beautiful, quiet moment is captured in this photograph, where a lovely use of bokeh and shallow depth of field isolates the subject from the background. The blurred background enhances the focus on the curious bird, allowing its beautiful soft colours to stand out. This technique creates a dreamy quality to the image, drawing the viewer's eye directly to the bird."
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