Photographing tui in kowhai is something I always look forward to. When the trees burst into flower, these beautiful New Zealand birds become much easier to find, but that doesn’t necessarily make them easy to photograph.
The flowering season is relatively short, so I try to get out with my camera as often as possible while the opportunity is there. On this particular morning, the sun was shining, and we decided to try a different location from our previous outing.
We headed towards a group of kowhai trees that had been productive at around the same time last year. As soon as we arrived, it was clear that the birds had found them too.
A Busy Morning with the Tui
There were tui flying from one tree to another, with a large flock taking advantage of the flowering trees. It was a great sight, but from a photographer’s point of view, it meant there was very little time to relax. The tui were constantly moving. Just as I spotted one in a promising position, it would often fly to another branch or disappear into the foliage. Then another bird would appear somewhere else.
I had to stay alert and be ready to react quickly. This is one of the things I enjoy about bird photography. You can spend a long time watching and waiting, only to have a brief opportunity when everything comes together.
Photographing Tui in Harsh Light
The biggest challenge during this outing was the bright sunlight. Harsh light can make photographing dark birds particularly difficult. The strong contrast between the brightly lit flowers and the darker plumage of the tui meant that I needed to pay close attention to my camera settings. I was trying to avoid losing the birds into silhouettes while still retaining colour and detail in their bodies. It wasn’t always successful.
With wildlife, you don’t get the luxury of asking your subject to stay still while you make adjustments. The tui continued moving at speed, so I needed to make quick decisions and take advantage of every opportunity. Sometimes the best photograph isn’t the technically perfect one. If the bird is in a good position for only a fraction of a second, getting the shot can be more important than waiting for ideal conditions.
Waiting for a Clear View
The height of the kowhai trees created another challenge. We were standing at ground level, while many of the tui were high up in the canopy. When they were amongst the branches, it was difficult to get a clear view of them.
The best opportunities came when a bird moved towards the outside of the tree. That meant watching carefully and waiting for those brief moments when a tui moved into an open position. As soon as one appeared, I had to be ready. With such active birds, there was no guarantee that I would get more than a couple of seconds before they moved again.
A Flock Full of Opportunities
I’ve included some photographs showing several tui together because they give a better idea of what we were dealing with. There were birds moving in all directions, making the scene both exciting and challenging to photograph.
Having multiple birds in the same area also meant there was always something happening. Even if one bird disappeared behind the branches, another could suddenly arrive in a better position. It was a matter of constantly scanning the trees and trying to anticipate where the next opportunity might appear.
Making the Most of the Kowhai Season
The short flowering season is one reason I enjoy these outings so much. In a couple of weeks, I should have another opportunity to photograph tui in my own garden when my kowhai trees flower. They are a little later than many of the trees in our neighbourhood, so I have to wait patiently for them to reach their best.
Until then, there are plenty of reasons to keep heading out with the camera. Each location offers something different, and the conditions can completely change the experience. On this occasion, the harsh sunlight and constantly moving birds made things difficult, but that is all part of wildlife photography.
The Challenge Makes It Worthwhile
Photographing tui in kowhai isn’t always about having perfect light or a perfectly cooperative bird. Sometimes it is about making the most of the conditions you have.
The bright sunlight, tall trees and fast-moving flock certainly tested my reactions, but they also made the outing interesting. There was always another bird to watch and another chance to capture something different. And with the kowhai flowering season passing quickly, I’m happy to take every opportunity I can to get out and photograph these beautiful native birds.
All the images in this post were taken using my Lumix G9II using my Leica 100-400mm lens. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me through my website, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.