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Tui
Endemic to New Zealand this is a large dark honeyeater with a decurved black bill, dark brown eyes, black legs and feet, and black head, underparts, wings and t...
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Endemic to New Zealand this is a large dark honeyeater with a decurved black bill, dark brown eyes, black legs and feet, and black head, underparts, wings and tail showing iridescent blue-green on the head and wings. The upper back and flanks are brown with a bronze sheen, the nape and sides of the neck have filamentous white feathers, and there are two curled white feather tufts on the throat. It is rumored that the multitude of vocalizations and songs was the basis for the voice of R2D2 in the Star Wars series. Photo was taken on Tirtiri Matangi Island (Auckland, NZ)
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Feb, 2017Views
869
Likes
Awards
Winner in The beauty of New Zealand- Landscape, people, animals or architecture Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
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Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 2
Categories
Ultimate
Platinum
AntipodesNZ
July 15, 2021
These birds are known as the Tui; Which is the Maori and common usage throughout Aotearoa (New Zealand) Early Settlers called the the Parson's Bird referring to the white tuft of feather on its throat. This photo shows the ability of the photographer for all the colours on the bird are showing. Most photographs show the bird as a black bird with w white tuft. Great Shot Wonderfull lighting skills Cheers
Platinum
BFinkelstein
July 16, 2021
Thank you for helping to make this bird as an important part of the New Zealand history & nature. Funny thing was that we photographed many "black" Tui all throughout our treks - but it wasn't until the last day that this loverly creature visited us in full light while we were eating our lunch. This opportunity literally made the visit a success.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
Photo was taken on Tiritiri Matangi Island, an open wildlife sanctuary off the coast of Whangaparaoa Peninsula about a 90 minute boat ride from Auckland, New Zealand. Tiriitiri Matangi is an amazing example of the country's effort to ensure the survival of many rare and endangered plant and animal species.Time
The photo was taken around 1300. The day was slightly overcast, but the sun somehow poked out of the clouds as we stoped for lunch as did several Tui birds. Maybe they wanted to join us as there were plenty of nectar laden flowering and fruiting plants where we were.Lighting
The light at this particular time was the reason for the capture of this bird's true colors. They look black from a distance, but in good light Tui have a blue, green and bronze iridescent sheen, the sides of the neck have filamentous white feathers and of course, distinctive white throat tufts (poi.) We were tracking the Tui to photograph throughout New Zealand. We photographed a few in Zealandia (another eco-sanctuary near Wellington), but from the distance and their location amongst the trees they did indeed appear to be black with the white throat tuft and a white band near the wind while in flight. Luckily, the absence of foliage and the sun shining straight down on the birds exposed their true colors as they posed for us on the bare branches of a dead tree.Equipment
Camera was a Nikon D500 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens. The camera was handheld, no flash. This shot was at ƒ/8.0 150.0 mm, 1/400 sec, ISO 200 (Flash off, did not fire)Inspiration
The beauty of the Tui of course. Our trip was to document in photographs as many birds, plants and other animals that are endemic to New Zealand as possible. The Tui is legendary in this country. A large dark honeyeater, it is very vociferous with a loud and complicated mix of tuneful notes interspersed with coughs, grunts and wheezes. There is a tale that the sounds of the Tui were the basis for the voice of R2D2 in the Starwars movies.Editing
The photo was cropped and the shadows lightened somewhat, but the photo was so good that little else was necessary.In my camera bag
The Nikon D500 is with the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens is my main lens for birding. When I don't need the reach of the Sigma, I use a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR as my main "walk-about lens". That combination gives me good range for most settings. I recently purchased a Nikon B700 that replaced a Panasonic XG-1, that I keep in my car and carry when just running about on non-photo missions just in case I see something to photograph. I am amazed at that little camera and now carry it with me along with the D500 for occasions with good light and stationary subjects.Feedback
Photographic birding is a very challenging process. More times than not, the target bird is not just going to come and pose for you on a nice bare branch (Bird on a stick) with good sunlight that is in the correct location. When going on specific birding trips we usually go to wild-life sanctuaries or eco-reserves as the environments are conducive to being able to see the unique or rare birds for that location. New Zealand has a dedicated effort to preserve and re-vitalize the local flora and fauna that have been decimated prior to the fabulous conservation efforts by this country. There are numerous examples of countries doing the same thing. Please review my gallery to see fine examples of birding throughout the world.
