Yesterday we spent a relaxed morning enjoying wildlife photography at Staglands Wildlife Reserve, exploring the grounds with our cameras. The weather was ideal for walking around the reserve, although the bright sunshine created some challenges for photography. As a result, many of the images have a more creative, high-contrast look.
Peaceful Scenes by the Pond
We began our visit at the pond, where a family of geese were swimming quietly together. When they moved close enough, I was able to capture an image despite the strong sunlight reflecting off the water. Although the light was harsh, their calm behaviour created a peaceful start to the day.
A Ram with Remarkable Horns
From there, we moved on to the sheep pen. One of the resident rams immediately stood out thanks to his impressive curled horns. From the right angle, it almost looked as though he was wearing spectacles. Small details like this are what make photographing animals at Staglands so rewarding.
Energetic Kune Kune Piglets
Next, we visited the kune kune piglets, which are always a highlight. As soon as they spotted us, they ran over with their ears flapping enthusiastically. To capture the moment, I positioned myself away from the other visitors and photographed a sequence of one piglet running straight towards me.
Because the piglets are often fed by visitors, they expect food from anyone new. This predictable behaviour makes it much easier to anticipate their movements and capture action shots.
Mischief in the Kea Aviary
The highlight of our visit was the kea aviary, where three kea were constantly on the move. These intelligent native parrots were climbing, hopping, and exploring everything within reach. Photographing them was tricky, as it was difficult to avoid the aviary netting. Even so, I managed to capture a few images I was pleased with.
One kea provided a particularly memorable moment when it tried to chew a pair of rubber sandals worn by one of our group. This playful interaction perfectly showcased the kea’s curious and mischievous nature. I’ll be sharing a short video of this encounter on Facebook later today.
A Quiet Moment with the Whio
While walking through the toi toi walk-through aviary, we came across a whio, or blue duck, resting quietly by a small pond. With its beak tucked into its wings, it appeared completely at ease. This calm moment provided a contrast to the more energetic native birds elsewhere in the reserve and highlighted the value of protected environments for species like the whio.
A Morning Well Spent
Overall, our morning at Staglands Wildlife Reserve offered a wide range of wildlife photography opportunities. From peaceful pond scenes and playful kune kune piglets to native birds such as kea and whio, the visit was both varied and rewarding. Even with challenging light conditions, the reserve once again delivered a memorable experience. Lunch in the café was good too!
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.