Delightful view of birds

The Country Camera: An Album of New Zealand Birds by Christina Ferens, self published, $44.90 .. .. .. ..

.. .. .. The world would be a poorer place without the joyous sound of birdsong and the pleasure we get as we watch birds in flight.

Most of us know the names of some common birds and a little about their habits, but now author Christina Ferens takes us deep into their lives thanks to her keen eye, photographic talent, endless patience and a poetic way with words.

Her latest book, The Country Camera: An Album of New Zealand Birds, is a charming, treasure trove that celebrates the beauty and habits of some of our most well-known birds.

The stars of the book are revealed in four categories: endemic — resident of only New Zealand; native — members of a species which migrated here long ago; self-introduced — relatively recent migrants; and introduced.

These distinctions are of interest in themselves: how many of us appreciate that the much-maligned paradise shelduck is endemic along with our much-treasured pigeon? These birds have greater residency claims than many, as do the grey teal duck, the colourful kingfisher and pukeko.

Our much-loved fantail or piwakawaka is also endemic. But Ferens also includes introduced species like turkey, blackbirds and California quail.

The overarching feelings it inspired in me were sensitivity and gentleness.

Ferens must have waited, camera at the ready, for many hours to photograph birds as they went about their lives, oblivious to her presence. A large clutch of quail chicks huddled in a cream and brown spotted mound is one of many stand-out images.

And each photo is accompanied by poetic words which somehow had the effect of calming me. To read her thoughtful, well-researched descriptions of the lives of some of our country’s most precious residents felt akin to a meditation.

This book is designed to be read at leisure and shared with the same generous spirit its author has shared results of the time-consuming business of capturing birds as they busied themselves in their family lives both via wellchosen words and heart-warming photos.

Ferens has devoted several years to gathering material for this book which will delight your friends and family whether they find it on your coffee table or as their Christmas gift.