Toya Heatley
October 2026 - Kereru in Totara Tree
About the Image(s)
This was taken at our local park where the totara tree produces little
yellow berries in March (Autumn/Fall)) that the birds just go nuts
over. It is a time of year when many different species of bird all
gather to feast on the berries. These two are kereru (NZ Wood Pigeon).
They are extremely large and clumsy birds that I always enjoy watching
and photographing. Their wingspan often makes it difficult to move
about in the trees, so there is a lot of flapping about happening. I
love the sense of movement the wings give to the image.
I took this image with my Lumix G9M2 and a PL 100-400 lens. I kept the light
behind me and used these settings. ISO4000, 113mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 sec.
13 comments posted
Toya
The grouping of the pair of Kereru in the Totara tree is very colorful. The image portrays the action of the wings. The focus is wide and captures both birds as well as the pine needles. Posted: 10/01/2026 20:26:14
The grouping of the pair of Kereru in the Totara tree is very colorful. The image portrays the action of the wings. The focus is wide and captures both birds as well as the pine needles. Posted: 10/01/2026 20:26:14
Large, colorful birds in action...what a catch. Focus and cropping excellent and your greens are perfect. I'm guessing from the info that local to you is New Zealand. I look forward to seeing the birds of NZ. I've never been there. Posted: 10/03/2026 04:28:54
Thank you Leslie, yes New Zealand is where I live. Posted: 10/03/2026 04:31:07
This is a great capture. I think it could be a little sharper especially the eyes. Gigapixel could help that. The greens are too bright which is easy to fix by decreasing the brightness a little. Posted: 10/03/2026 13:42:50
Thanks Michael, I appreciate the comments but I am a little confused as to why Gigapixel would increase the sharpness? I have had another go at processing it with the greens dulled down a bit. Not sure I like it now though :)
What do you think? Posted: 10/03/2026 18:47:06
What do you think? Posted: 10/03/2026 18:47:06
I think the greens still need dulled down a little bit more. Gigapixel is super at sharpening . I have been doing it my way for several years but now they have come out with ways toy do it automatically. I still suggest down sizing the photo and then resizing it in gigapixel.if it does not work for you let me know. Posted: 10/04/2026 02:12:09
Thank you I have been using gigapixel for many years to enlarge and recover old family photos, just never for sharpening on its own. I am happy with the level of sharpness in the edited version :) Posted: 10/04/2026 04:15:03
Toya, first and foremost, welcome to our Bird group! We have an outstanding group of photographers here, and I know I've learned so much from everyone. I'm sure you'll find this to be a wonderful group to share, learn, and grow with. I too have never seen a Kereru. Magnificent! Your catch with one looking right and one head on with wings out is super. Birds are very sharp and detailed. Hope you don't mind but I took the liberty to decrease the brightness of the background and I think it makes the kereru's pop. Posted: 10/03/2026 14:37:19
Thanks Tom. I have taken on board comments from both you and Michael and have had another go at processing the image from RAW. This is what I have come up with, I have to admit I am not sure I like it now as to me it feels flat, but I do value the comments from you both. Posted: 10/03/2026 18:43:14
Toya, I really like what you did. Major improvement of an already awesome image. Funny how we all look at things differently. Great work. Posted: 10/03/2026 22:06:37
Thanks, after sitting with it for a while I am inclined to agree with you now :) Posted: 10/03/2026 22:45:28
Toya, I didn't realize your bio image wasn't up. Notified our web master and he took care of it. Posted: 10/03/2026 23:51:47
Thank you :) Posted: 10/04/2026 04:13:08