Muriwai Gannet Colony - Images by Marcus and Jennifer Schoo
As they normally breed on rugged coastal islands, there are only a few places in the world where it is possible to photograph Australasian Gannets in mainland rookeries. Probably the most easily accessible such colony is at Muriwai, about one hour drive west of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city.
About 1,200 gannets nest at Muriwai between August and March each year in four separate nesting sites. Two are on the mainland at Otakamiro Point above Muriwai, one on the precipitous Motutara Island just off-shore and one further off-shore on Oaia Island.
About 1,200 gannets nest at Muriwai between August and March each year in four separate nesting sites. Two are on the mainland at Otakamiro Point above Muriwai, one on the precipitous Motutara Island just off-shore and one further off-shore on Oaia Island.
Best Times
Time of year : August - March. Most activity around December.
Time of day : In the morning just after the sun clears the hills behind Muriwai about one hour after sunrise or in the evening one hour before sunset to 30 minutes after sunset.
The Australasian Gannets are in residence from August through to March. Some suggest December is the optimal time with the most fishing and feeding activity. Weather is generally more reliable in New Zealand in late Summer around February. Look for dramatic wide seascapes featuring the colonies around thirty minutes before and after sunset. In the morning wait for the sun to rise above the hills behind Muriwai for great on-the-wing shots of flying birds. The rookery is a popular spot for tourists and is busy (by New Zealand standards!) in the evening though seems to thin out just before sunset. Early mornings are quiet.
Time of day : In the morning just after the sun clears the hills behind Muriwai about one hour after sunrise or in the evening one hour before sunset to 30 minutes after sunset.
The Australasian Gannets are in residence from August through to March. Some suggest December is the optimal time with the most fishing and feeding activity. Weather is generally more reliable in New Zealand in late Summer around February. Look for dramatic wide seascapes featuring the colonies around thirty minutes before and after sunset. In the morning wait for the sun to rise above the hills behind Muriwai for great on-the-wing shots of flying birds. The rookery is a popular spot for tourists and is busy (by New Zealand standards!) in the evening though seems to thin out just before sunset. Early mornings are quiet.
Directions
From Auckland head west on State Hwy 16. At Waimauku take a left onto Muriwai Rd and follow it all the way to Muriwai Beach. A path at the south end of the beach heads up to the rookery. Alternatively, drive up Waitea Rd and park at the top of the cliffs and approach the gannets along the path from the south. There are two viewing platforms, one above each mainland colony, that give excellent views of the gannets.
Photo Advice
For wide seascapes featuring the colonies try the upper (southern) viewing platform in the evening with the sun setting behind the gannets. A 16mm lens on a full frame body (10mm on APS-C) is required to frame both mainland colonies and the two off-shore islands. Try a circular-polariser to reduce glare and a two or three stop ND-Grad to bring the sunset into balance with the foreground rookeries. Waiting until just after sunset allows for a longer shutter time giving soft ocean waves. Alternatively, use an ND filter to reduce light. Evenings can also be a good time to get gannets silhouetted onto a backdrop of sunset.
For birds-in-flight images look for morning light about one hour after sunrise once the sun clears the hills behind Muriwai. The upper (southern) most mainland rookery will still be in shadow so try the lower (northern) viewing platform. Around a 400mm lens works well for tracking shots. The gannets will circle repeatedly over the colony. Look for birds that are in a holding pattern around or just below eye level and track them coming in. Shooting birds at just below eye level gives backgrounds of churning ocean, sheer cliffs or busy rookeries, all of which are usually more interesting than clear sky. Some of the birds will also be carrying nesting material while in flight so keep a keen eye out for these. In the morning birds coming on-shore should have better facial lighting than those going off-shore. Using a monopod will help you rest between shots.
Space is at a premium in the colony so there is lots of opportunity for seeing interaction between birds. Look for birds coming in to land and for squabbles between neighbours. On the path to the lower (northern) view platform there are often some birds quite close to the left side of the path providing opportunities for close portraits.
For birds-in-flight images look for morning light about one hour after sunrise once the sun clears the hills behind Muriwai. The upper (southern) most mainland rookery will still be in shadow so try the lower (northern) viewing platform. Around a 400mm lens works well for tracking shots. The gannets will circle repeatedly over the colony. Look for birds that are in a holding pattern around or just below eye level and track them coming in. Shooting birds at just below eye level gives backgrounds of churning ocean, sheer cliffs or busy rookeries, all of which are usually more interesting than clear sky. Some of the birds will also be carrying nesting material while in flight so keep a keen eye out for these. In the morning birds coming on-shore should have better facial lighting than those going off-shore. Using a monopod will help you rest between shots.
Space is at a premium in the colony so there is lots of opportunity for seeing interaction between birds. Look for birds coming in to land and for squabbles between neighbours. On the path to the lower (northern) view platform there are often some birds quite close to the left side of the path providing opportunities for close portraits.
No comments:
Post a Comment