Miranda Shorebird Weekend Workshop Shots

 Pied Stilts at dawn in Miranda

 Closer up of Pied Stilts Miranda

 Silhouette early morning

 In come the Royal Spoonbills heading to roost in a Macrocapa

 The light grows lighter

 Pied stilt with Bob's special lens

 And again

 This was as large as I could manage. The light was back lit so no catch light in the eye.

 Swans fly in

 

Dawn with the spoonbills arriving

Whispering grass

God's light

Artist, author and Miranda Shorebird Centre Manager Keith Woodley with a bird watcher client

 
 Our team and captain tutor  Bruce Shanks with his camo's on in the bird hide

 

Other class participants

Erecting the bird hide that looked a bit like a portaloo

 

Lesson on erecting the bird hide 

Apparently it was really hot inside it. 

 

 Andrew from Wingspan watching

Close up of denin jeans

Masterful directions from Bruce

All the guys got right into it. 
Bit like camping , made me want to go camping again

 

Erecting the bird hide

Bartek close up

 Andrew Bob and tutor Bruce

Bartek from Poland

My room mate Gaelene 

I had a great workshop viewing lots of bird photography and seeing many birds that were out of reach for my lens to be of any real award winning merit. 

Photography is all about the light being right and being close enough to the birds. 

Luckily my photographic friend Reg from camera club had been on the course the year before and had warned me that I most likely would not get any spectacular close up shot of birds. 

It was a course more to equip you with the knowledge on how to theoretically get great bird shots.

So my hunt is still on. 

I do know what I'm looking for, it's a matter of perseverance and patience. 

I really liked the other class members, mostly men and total bird devotees, the food and the whole weekend really was a fantastic introduction to a place that I had not been before. 

The  Miranda Shorebird Centre is a great place for bird lovers. 

Go visit Keith and stay there a while he will make you feel very welcome and take a look at his detailed  bird paintings.  

Also his shop has the best range of bird books I have seen.

Creative Quote of the week
A flock of geese leave their lake and take wing, turning to poems in the sky.  ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com


At the moment I am researching on how to make bird sculptures for the bottom garden without resortng to welding because I haven't got a welder. So watch this space as I embark on the bird sculpture making journey



Mosaic bird making workshops Monday to Wednesday mornings and afternoons. 
Email jkeen@clear.net.nz to book your space. 
374 Clayton Road, Rotorua, Phone 07 3463435