NZ Pūteketeke and Chick + Edit

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Description

Wanaka Lake, South Island, NZ
Australasian Southern Crested Grebe (Pūteketeke)
The Australasian Southern Crested Grebe occurs only in New Zealand and Australia but it is threatened in both countries, and the New Zealand population probably numbers fewer than 1000 birds.
Southern crested grebe / pūteketeke are found on fewer than 100 lakes and lagoons of the South Island, mostly in Canterbury and Otago. They were once found in the North Island as well, but are now extinct there. This species is also found in small numbers in parts of Australia where it is known as the Australasian crested grebe.

On Wanaka Lake, there have been concerted efforts to conserve and breed the grebes back from near-extinction.
Also called pūteketeke or kāmana in Te Reo Māori, they have some spectacular behaviours. Although grebes can fly, this is rarely seen by people. It is likely that grebes fly mostly at night. The name “pūteketeke” comes from the similarity of the bird’s black head crest to the tikitiki topknot hairstyle worn by Māori men of rank.

Specific Feedback

comments and critiques welcomed

Technical Details

Sony A1 II
200-600 + TC 1.4

Date Taken: 2025-04-12 14:34:26
Exposure Time: 1/2500 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 2000
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Exposure Bias: 0 EV


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Sweet image, Sandy. This combination in grebes always works well and the pose of the chick is utterly priceless. You might look at selecting just the chick and giving it a bit more pop as it’s kind of overwhelmed by the gorgeous adult, but that’s a very minor issue.

What a moment! It’s an, “Awwwww” shot. I like it a lot. Did you look at using photoshop’s dodge tool to gently bump some of the kid’s mid tones?

@Dave_Douglass @Dennis_Plank
Thanks for the thoughts!
Chicky lightened up.

Sandy: What a beautiful creature and moment so superbly captured and presented. Most excellent.>=))>

Oh Sandy! I am so jealous. The baby riding on the parent’s back is just grand. And the expression is priceless.

Well captured. Colours look good, good reflections. No nits here!