Fiordland Camera Club president Chris Watson has stumbled across a drowned $12,000 camera, still on its tripod, while attempting to photograph a white heron on the tidal flats of Milford Sound on Saturday (20 Jul).

Watson and 17 fellow club members were in the area with tutor Trey Ratcliff, as part of a day-long photography workshop, culminating in a fiord boat cruise.

"When we got off the boat the sunset was looking like it was going be one of those really really cool ones," Watson said.

An abandoned high-value camera and tripod found on the tidal flats of Milford Sound. Photo: Chris Watson

"Everyone's like we've got to be quick because the sun is setting."

While the rest of the group took to the walkway, Watson decided to take advantage of the low tide and dash across the tidal flats.

"I'm walking across there and the sunset was amazing. I took a couple photos and turned around and there was a tripod on the ground in front of me."

"Then I looked closer and there was a camera on the end of it as well."

Watson said the Canon R5 camera and lens, together worth around $12,000, was the same as his but had probably been there for at least a year.

"The camera is literally falling apart."

The rescued camera in pieces in order to remove its memory card. Photo: Chris Watson

Watson said he had managed to remove the camera's memory card and was currently drying it out.

"Fingers crossed I can find someone to help get some photos off it."

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However mystery remains around the camera's owner and why it was abandoned.

"I'd be keen to find out the story behind it. How it got there," Watson said.

"My theory is that someone was in there one night taking photos at nighttime of the stars - doing time-lapse."

"And they were cold, so shot back for a coffee, sat down for a bit and when they came back the tide has got it."

"There's no way they would have just left it there."

"I would be out there swimming to get it."

Watson said he had been on the flats before and admitted you couldn't hear the tide coming in.

Chris Watson captured more than just a photograph of this white heron while on the tidal flats of Milford Sound on Saturday. Photo: Chris Watson

"All of a sudden, you're on this wee island and surrounded by water."

"I've had to walk up to my waist to get back out again," he said.