It has always been a dream of mine to capture a truly special image of a ruru, also known as the morepork, New Zealand’s only native owl. Although I had photographed them before, none of those images felt quite right. However, last week I was invited to observe a family of ruru living in a small area of native bush – an opportunity I simply could not refuse.
Protecting a Breeding Ruru Family
The location of this ruru family has been fiercely protected by the people monitoring them throughout the breeding season. Because of this careful stewardship, the pair has successfully raised three fully fledged youngsters.
Giving wildlife the space and privacy needed to rear their young is essential to the long-term health of the species. As wildlife photographers, we carry an important responsibility to ensure the needs of the birds always come first. Ethical ruru photography means observing quietly, keeping a respectful distance, and never disturbing natural behaviour.
The Challenge of Low-Light Ruru Photography
Photographing ruru deep in the bush is not easy. The light was extremely limited, as we ventured in during the early evening beneath a dense canopy of native trees. Therefore, I needed to push both my camera and my technical skills.
To compensate for the darkness:
- ISO: 128000
- Exposure: Overexposed by one-third to balance the available light
- Mode: Aperture priority
- Aperture: Kept as wide open as possible
- Shutter speed: Around 1/60 second
Importantly, no flash was used anywhere near these birds, ensuring their comfort and safety remained the top priority.
Watching the Ruru Come to Life
As the light faded, the ruru began to stir. Naturally, this made the experience even more exciting, and much harder to photograph. One of the highlights was watching their adorable bouncing movement, a curious little dance accompanied by expressive head motions.
While we saw all five members of the family, I managed to photograph three: what I believe was the father and two of the youngsters. Moments like these remind me why patience is one of the most valuable skills in wildlife photography.
A Successful Evening in the Bush
Overall, it was a rewarding evening surrounded by native forest and the gentle presence of these beautiful owls. Capturing images of a ruru family in their natural habitat has been a long-held goal, and I am thrilled to finally share these photographs with you.
If you are a fan of owls – or New Zealand wildlife in general – I hope you enjoy the cuteness and character on display here as much as I did while photographing them.
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.