Bird Watching Rewarded In Stills

• Author: Rose O'Connor In Westport
• Published date: 20 October 2021
• Publication title: West Coast Messenger, The

"It is a simple case of I bought myself a basic digital camera in about 2014 and it just grew from there. I actually gave the camera to my daughter to work out how to use it so she could show me!" Mr Williams said.

"I quickly figured out that we had really interesting native birds in our area."

He also enjoys photographing Hector's dolphins that frequent the West Coast coastline.

Mr Williams' wife Kirsty had been planting many natives in their 14ha of 'backyard' to attract the birds. Their property borders native bush.

"I use to photograph the dog but when it passed away I turned my attention to birds. When you become aware that the native falcon is more endangered than the kiwi, then it is very special when it lands 10m from your home."

Mr Williams said he does not spend hours sitting waiting for the perfect photo: "I just carry my camera as I go about my daily jobs around home so I am able to capture those special moments. It also helps that the digital camera takes high speed photos. I might take 100 and delete...