This is my fourth post from my two visits to Motuara Island, focusing on the small pool of water where I spent time observing native birdlife. Photographing here was incredibly challenging due to very low light and fast-moving birds. Among the species present were the beautiful bellbirds, also known as korimako.
Photographing Bellbirds in Difficult Conditions
Bellbirds are nectar feeders, and their specialised tongues are perfectly adapted for collecting liquid. Rather than drinking directly from the pool, they preferred the slow trickle of water flowing into it. This behaviour made photographing them even more difficult.
Because of this, the birds only came down to the pool briefly to bathe. When they did, it was with remarkable speed and efficiency. Capturing images of them bathing proved nearly impossible. Although I managed a few shots, none were strong enough to include here.
Bellbird Behaviour Around the Water
Most of the bellbirds I photographed had wet feathers, indicating they had already bathed. Afterward, they spent time preening and shaking off excess water, which created better photographic opportunities.
Interestingly, this was the first time I photographed more female bellbirds than males. Female bellbirds are lighter in colour and display distinct white lines on either side of their heads. In contrast, males are darker and have a slightly more intense, almost “angry bird” appearance.
Camera Settings for Low Light Bird Photography
Once again, I was handholding my camera in challenging conditions. Using aperture priority, my settings were pushed to the limit:
- ISO: 12800
- Shutter speed achieved: 1/60 sec
These settings resulted in noticeable image noise. However, modern editing software has improved significantly in recent years, making it possible to recover and enhance noisy images.
Embracing High ISO in Wildlife Photography
This experience reinforced an important lesson. I am no longer afraid to push my camera to its limits in order to capture the images I want. While noise was once a major concern, advances in technology now allow photographers to work confidently in difficult lighting conditions.
All the images in this post were taken using my Lumix G9II and Panasonic Leica 100-400 lens. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me through my website, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
