Muriwai Gannet Colony Photowalk

Join me for a casual sunset photo meetup at the Muriwai gannet colony. I'll be talking about Ocean Wildlife Photography at Photo Warehouse on the morning of September 5th, so I thought I'd host an informal photowalk and give people the opportunity to put some of my tips into practice.

Early September is the start of the breeding season — the birds are back on the headland; courting, squabbling over nest sites and flying constant sorties past the viewing platforms — and Ōtakamiro Point faces west, so the last hour of light is the time to be there.

We'll meet at 4 pm at the Maukatia Bay car park (1 Waitea Road, Muriwai — not the main Muriwai Beach car park, whose gannet-track entrance is closed) and walk the Maukatia Gannet Track up to the platforms, about 1.3 km and 25 minutes at an easy pace with a few steps, then shoot through to sunset and walk back before the gate closes.

• Photographing birds in flight
• General bird photography tips

• Your own camera gear
• A telephoto lens will be useful - if you have one
• Warm layers and a windproof jacket