NZPhotographer Issue 16, Feb 2019

BEYOND THE BOULDERS
Moeraki is not only well known for its boulders, but
it’s also a very popular place to go out on a fishing
charter which opens up wildlife photography
opportunities. On a fishing trip with my Dad and
Brother, we caught many Blue Cods and Red Cods
and I also had the chance to photograph Albatross
at close range as they were following our boat
for an easy feed. It was incredible to see these
huge birds so close. As we moved from location
to location searching for fish they would follow us,
gliding so effortlessly as they soared that their wings
would gently touch the wave. It is a known fact that
the Albatross can fly for many many miles without
flapping its wings, the only known bird to do so, but
it was a pleasure to witness it up close. The coast
from the water looks so different looking back in and
sometimes dolphins are in the area so it’s well worth
grabbing a boat and heading out with your camera,
even if you have no interest in fishing!
At Katiki Point, the southern point of the Moeraki
Peninsula, you will find the endangered and rare
yellow-eyed penguins plus the common New Zealand
fur seals. These two species live side by side and are
not predator or prey to each other. The location near
the lighthouse is where you can get up and close to
see the penguins, the best time is a few hours after
sunrise and a few hours before sunset when you will
see them enter or exit the ocean. I have been here
a number of times and never left unsatisfied, always
able to capture the birds walking or climbing.
If you pick the seasons right you will also get to
photograph baby seals playing in the pools below,
but don’t forget your telephoto lens as I don’t think
you can get very close to them without the mothers
getting upset.
4 TIPS FOR CAPTURING MOERAKI
• Get to the boulders early before everyone else
does, at sunrise you’ll need to claim your spot.
• For the best seascape shot, get your feet wet and
shoot a long exposure with the water rushing past.
Watch the water to see how it moves before wading
in and pressing the shutter, you might be able to
create a leading line.
• An 80–200mm 2.8 lens is good for most wildlife
photography at Moeraki but for capturing the
albatross on the water, a wider lens will likely be
needed.
• When choosing between sunrise or sunset, I would
personally capture the wildlife in the evening as whilst
the reverse sunsets at the boulders are good, the
sunrises are much much better.
February 2019
31
F9, 1/800s, ISO125