Over the past few months, my focus has been capturing the beauty of a charming Little Pied Cormorant through my camera lens. I discovered him quite unexpectedly early one morning. The day's photographic expedition was centred around putting the recently unveiled Nikon Z8 to the test. As I drove towards the lake, I contemplated my expectations of the day. The fog was unusually thick for Sydney, heavy and saturating. While this can be a splendid advantage for creating artistic and evocative images, it does mean those impeccably defined, razor-sharp photographs would not be achievable. Back home we fondly call this sort of weather ‘Cornish Mizzle’. Seated by the fog cloaked lake, soaking up the mist, I felt totally at home and completely inspired to create.
Eventually, I made my way towards the petite deck that offers a vantage point over the lake, my attention was drawn to an endearing cormorant. Its feathers dampened with the moisture-laden air, creating an enchanting scene. Maintaining a respectful distance, I was careful not to disturb the bird as it perched solemnly . Armed with Nikon Z8 the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 lens, coupled with a 1.4 TC for that additional focal length, I carefully composed the shot. The result was a captivating, almost ethereal painting – a fusion of misty sea greens and the elegant form of the ruffled Little Pied Cormorant.
Over the past few months, I've had the joy of closely witnessing the magnificent behaviour of this exquisite water bird. I've managed to make numerous captivating images that fill me with delight, and I intend to gradually reveal them to you. This expedition has been successful and rewarding. Yet, there remains one elusive picture that I'm diligently pursuing. Countless Sunday mornings have found me nestled by the lakeside, my fingers and toes embracing the chill. I've developed an intimate understanding of this bird's movements across the water, and I'm eagerly anticipating that my persistence will ultimately grace my collection with the concluding image.
Not the end!