Continuing on from my previous post about the birds of Motuara Island, this article focuses on the beautiful yellow-crowned kākāriki. These small native parrots are full of personality, but they can be surprisingly difficult to photograph.
Elusive Yet Noisy Forest Parrots
The yellow-crowned kākāriki is known for being noisy and active. However, despite their constant chatter, they are not often seen. This is because they spend most of their time high in the forest canopy.
As an endemic species to New Zealand, their presence is special. Sadly, their numbers are declining in the wild due to habitat loss and predation.
Why Motuara Island Is Different
Motuara Island offers a unique opportunity to observe these parrots more easily. Unlike mainland forests, the island lacks a tall canopy. As a result, the kākāriki are often seen at lower levels, making photography more achievable.
Another advantage is the limited availability of fresh water on the island. With only one reliable water source, wildlife activity naturally concentrates in this area.
Waiting for the Perfect Shot
Knowing this, I spent time waiting quietly near the freshwater pool. Patience paid off, and I eventually saw a couple of kākāriki come down to bathe.
Watching them was a real highlight. However, photographing them proved much more challenging. They moved incredibly fast, and the light was very low under the surrounding bush. Unfortunately, the images I captured were not of a standard I’m happy to share.
The Challenge of Wildlife Photography
Moments like this are a reminder that wildlife photography is often unpredictable. While I focused on the kākāriki, other birds were constantly moving through the area.
This raised an ongoing question: which bird should I focus on? Which one would disappear first? Every decision mattered, and not every opportunity could be captured.
More to Come
Although I missed the perfect kākāriki bathing shot, the experience itself was unforgettable. The constant movement and variety of birdlife made every moment exciting.
You will see the results of the choices I made in upcoming posts, where I share more species from my time on Motuara Island.
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.