Description
Tekapō: A Caffeine Quest Turned Feathered Encounter
After what felt like hours behind the wheel, we finally rolled into the quaint township of Tekapō, hoping for a quick coffee and a chance to stretch our legs. But what greeted us was far from tranquil: buses disgorging tourists into every café, queues snaking out the doors like they’d been growing there for weeks. The morning caffeine rush was in full swing, and we were clearly late to the party.
Abandoning the idea of coffee, we opted for a walk to the Church of the Good Shepherd and the shores of Lake Tekapo. Peace at last – or so we thought. One bus after another pulled up, releasing weary travellers armed with bumbags and cameras, ready to capture every inch of serenity before it vanished.
Amber wandered off with the dog, seeking solitude. I, on the other hand, decided to brave the crowd and head down to the lake for a closer look, and maybe a bit of bird spotting. To my surprise, the shoreline was blissfully free of human intruders. The glacier-fed lake shimmered in its signature turquoise hue, a breathtaking sight under near-perfect light. I grabbed my camera, ready to shoot.
Time was short. A stick was about to be hurled into the water for someone’s overexcited canine further upstream, and a sleepy circle of New Zealand scaup| Pāpango floated nearby, barely disturbing the surface tension as they drifted in slow, hypnotic loops. They weren’t going to appreciate being roused from their slumber.
I picked my target and fired off a few shots just as one turned to face me. Without lifting its head, it opened a single eye – a piercing yellow dot glowing against its dark plumage. It stared straight through me, as if to say, “I’ve had it with the endless interruptions to my tranquil sleep.”
Message received. We packed up the dog, left the birds in peace, and hit the road once more. Still no coffee, but thanks to that one grumpy Pāpango, I got my photo.
New Zealand scaup suspended on Lake Tekapō
Camera Settings
- ƒ/7.1
- 1/640
- ISO 200
- EV 0
- FL 451 mm
Location
Lake Tekapō, South Island, New Zealand.
Print Size & Specs
New Zealand Scaup
Limited Edition Photo ~ By Tony Stoddard
Extra Large Print
Paper Size (A0) 841 x 1189mm
Edition Number 10
*Unframed
Large Print
Paper Size (A1) 594 x 840mm
Edition Number 10
*Unframed
Medium Print:
Paper Size (A2) 420 x 594mm
Edition Number 15
*Unframed
Shipping
Please allow a minimum of 4 working days from printing to shipping. Photos are printed to order, signed, and numbered.
For print safety, larger prints will be shipped in a tube. Tracking details will be emailed as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Fine Art Print
Each limited-edition photo fine art print is signed and numbered.
Photos are archival pigment prints on Fine Art Smooth Cotton Rag 330gsm. Professionally printed by: Print Art – Fine Art Imaging
Helping to support our native birds
A portion of every print sold will be donated to The Nest Te Kōhanga, a wildlife hospital that’s dedicated to caring for New Zealand’s native species since 2009.
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