For two decades, Panasonic Lumix nature photographer Toya Heatley has been capturing images of birds anywhere she can, from her garden to bird sanctuaries like Ulva Island. 

What were your earliest experiences of photographing birds? 

Never one to do things the easy way, my first obsession with birds was kingfishers. I had many failures before I captured some images I was happy with.   For every flying kingfisher I managed to capture, I would probably have at least 20 images with the bird missing from the frame. They are so fast and the  camera I was using then wasn’t up to the task.

What are some of your favourite bird photography techniques?

Patience is really the main technique required. If you sit and wait long enough you will learn the bird’s behaviour and be able to predict where it will go next. Once you can do this, photographing them becomes so much easier. Being able to have one eye focusing through the camera lens and the other watching the surroundings is something that comes with practise and can be the difference between capturing a great image or missing it completely.

Do you try to tell a story with your images, such as a bird exhibiting its natural behaviour? 

It’s all about the storytelling or educational value of the image. Natural behaviour is just as important as portraying the natural environment. I think it is crucial to share the stories and images so future generations will look after our native birds and their environments.

Do you have a favourite native bird to photograph? 

There was a leucistic fantail (pure white) in Stratford in 2020, which I travelled to see on several occasions. That was probably my all-time favourite. It was a very special little creature with such a short lifespan. I felt privileged to have been able to spend time with it.

What is your top advice for budding wildlife photographers? 

Slow down, be patient and listen for the birds. You will often hear them before you see them. Respect their environment and tread softly and quietly.

Why do you use Lumix cameras? 

I switched to Lumix cameras in 2018. At the time I was struggling with the weight of my DSLR and big lens and was having to use a monopod all the time. Making the move to Lumix allowed me to go back to handholding the much lighter camera and gave me so much more freedom. 

Can you tell us a bit about the gear you use? 

I am currently using a Lumix G9II and a Panasonic Leica 100–400 lens. This lens almost never comes off my camera and I use it for birds as much as I do for macro images of insects and butterflies. The micro four-thirds crop factor of the G9II means I am effectively doubling my reach to 200–800 (when compared to a 35mm camera). The G9II is an outstanding camera that I would not be without. Someone told me it was the best thing since sliced bread, and I agree! 

View more of Toya’s photographs at digitalpix.co.nz. Learn more about Lumix cameras at panasonic.com.