Hawksbury Lagoon (Waikouaiti, Otago, New Zealand)

[kiwiapple]

I've lived in Oamaru, New Zealand, for 15 years, and have often driven through the village of Waikouaiti when going to Dunedin. In all that time, I never once ventured off the main road and so I had no idea that there was a hidden treasure just a few minutes' drive away. The Hawksbury Lagoon is a refuge for a pretty good number of bird species, some native, some introduced, and it's pretty easy to get around. I visited it today for the first time, but I'm sure it won't be the last. I used my new Canon R5m2 and Canon RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L lens.

Pied Stilt, Poaka

Juvenile Black Swan, Kaki Ānau

Juvenile Black Swan, Kaki Ānau

Pied Stilt, Poaka

Black Swan, Kaki Ānau

 

[AlanLichty]

Wonderful local treasure - and a perfect place to play with your new toy. I like the Pied Stilt shots - neat bird and a very nice in flight shot. The swan shot is a great catch as well.

Very nice level of detail although I have come to expect this from the combination we are both shooting. I never was much of a birder until I started shooting them with the R5m2 - the creature tracking autofocus almost makes it hard to not get a shot when you are shooting bursts. Its addictive. From the sounds of it we might get to see a lot of your new found playground

 

[kiwiapple]

Wonderful local treasure - and a perfect place to play with your new toy. I like the Pied Stilt shots - neat bird and a very nice in flight shot. The swan shot is a great catch as well.

Very nice level of detail although I have come to expect this from the combination we are both shooting. I never was much of a birder until I started shooting them with the R5m2 - the creature tracking autofocus almost makes it hard to not get a shot when you are shooting bursts. Its addictive. From the sounds of it we might get to see a lot of your new found playground

Thanks, and yeah, I also was not much of a birder but the new gear makes it quite appealing. I did have an issue that maybe you can advise me on--with the Spot focus method selected I found the autofocus couldn't find focus. I had to get close to focus manually first and then try the AF again. And the slider was set to full AF range.

 

[AlanLichty]

Thanks, and yeah, I also was not much of a birder but the new gear makes it quite appealing. I did have an issue that maybe you can advise me on--with the Spot focus method selected I found the autofocus couldn't find focus. I had to get close to focus manually first and then try the AF again. And the slider was set to full AF range.

I have seen mine get lost sometimes. I usually just push the AF button and it corrects itself. All the AF tech can do amazing things but its almost overreach for simple tasks

 

[JimFox]

It's amazing how we can at times find treasures sitting right under our noses! I am glad you found this, as it looks like a treasure trove of wildlife.

Great images, all of these. I have been trying to pick out some favorites, but I think they are all great.