While travelling to New Zealand via Australia I thought it was about time I started to take some wildlife images for personal pleasure.  Most of my photography is commissioned commercial/corporate work in the studio or location.

I now ask myself why I haven’t spent some time exploring wildlife photography, capturing the habits of animals other than the human kind.

The cute Kola Bear was quite happy getting on with its life but stopping to pose occasionally, yes it was cuddly and adorable and wow didn’t he know it.

Cute Kola Bear – Look at me!

Is it lunch time yet?

Glad I had my canon 70-200 L lens to capture these images….

My next encounter reminded me of when I was a child and used to watch “Skippy the Kangaroo”………. Ok so many of you don’t remember this program or even know about it, check it out on the Skippy link you don’t know what you have missed….

Skippy the Kangaroo

What amazing exotic birds fly around in Australia.  Not only do they prance around as if they own the place but the parots are cheeky enough to pinch the sugar packets from the dining tables.

This chap was enjoying his treat then along came a friend!  Not sure if the exhibitionist was working for his sugar fix or trying to distract his friend!

Sweet toothed parrot enjoying sugar

Let me show you my party piece then maybe I can get some of that sugar!

The black faced spoonbill was amazing sitting without a care in the world, what a funny hair style this bird has.  I continued to photograph the different birds I came across, maybe this wildlife photography is rewarding after all.

What a hair cut!             

Then this amazing bird was sat in front of me the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo, it looked like something out of Star Wars…………. Is that a helmet it is wearing??  And these two beauties came into site.

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo that looks like something out of Star Wars

Rainbow Lorikeet – are these twins?

As we sailed around New Zealand we had plenty opportunity to capture some additional wildlife images and was thrilled to witness the Hector Dolphins, the smallest of dolphins, playing in the sea.  They were certainly teasers as they refused to jump but continued to circle the small boat we were on.

Hector Dolphins frolicking in the sea

Showing off to his guests

Our next encounter were the seals, again how glad I were to have my zoom lens with me. These fellows were cooling off in the water, I’m sure a little showing off was also occurring.

This seal was certainly enjoying the cooling water.

Is this the correct swimming stroke

Seal enjoying the New Zealand sun

We then came upon the seal pups and just how cute were they.

Motherly love

Protection is key!

Basking in the Sun.

On returning to Australia to get our flight back to the UK after two weeks around New Zealand, the final bird was of course the all famous Black Swan and what a proud bird indeed.

The stunning Black Swan of Australia

Why not visit my Youtube presentation of wildlife during my travel to New Zealand.

For further information contact Lesley on 07790016535 or visit my websites: http://www.ellejephotography.co.uk/  http://www.ellejestudio.com/