After my recent Bird Photography Tips post I had an another reminder of the benefits of this approach. Conditions weren’t great but I needed some outside time at the end of the day. Heading up to the lake, little was happening and after the sun had set I began retracing my steps without having photographed anything of consequence. The lake level has been high due to sustained rain but is beginning to drop leaving a muddy rather than flooded margin.

Scanning as I walked back something triggered in my brain – “perfect Spotted Crake habitat” in a place I had seen them some years ago. Settling down to watch, one appeared as if by magic and I had the opportunity to photograph it in the fading light. Unperturbed by my crouched presence I had ample opportunity to photograph as it searched the muddy margin for morsels. A passing pair of pedestrians flushed it into the reeds. but it soon reappeared to continue its crepuscular foraging.

Spotless Crake along with Marsh Crake, are some of the most challenging birds to see and photograph well. They are both very secretive and live in dense habitat so this opportunity was special. I have previously photographed one in this general area but that was many years ago now and I was not able to get as nearly as close a view.

Finally leaving I again encountered the lovely post sunset colours from the sky that I featured in my previous post. A Kuruwhengi/Australiasian Shoveller cooperated for an image as a parting gift.

So what had started out as a mental health break with little hope of photographic success turned into a rare opportunity and elation. Photography is good for you!

Photos with Nikon Z9 and Nikkor Z 800mm f6.3 VR S.