Brown Snake-Eagle and another Brown Snake-Eagle African Hoopoe Female Saddle-billed Stork Black-headed Heron, a new tick for my RGR list B.I.F.shot Brown-hooded Kingfisher African Spoonbill and friend.... Long-tailed Paradise Whydah male in breeding plumage Blue Waxbill Barn Swallow and another Barn Swallow The European Bee-eaters have been here for some time now, but have not been very obliging. My first reasonable image of the season and its the end of January!!
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This Summer I have seen what I presume may be the same bird several times, but have, not until, now been able to get into a position to take a reasonable image. The other day I was off looking for the Elephant herd and there it was perched on a dead tree next to the road. This time it was a lot more obliging. This small grey and white raptor with the black shoulder patch, bright red eyes and yellow legs is very distinctive. They are common and nomadic in response to prey availability and veld conditions Having said that, this is the first year I have observed them on the Reserve, and this species is a welcome new addition to my list here Target species for the afternoon. The hot weather is making action around the dams and waterholes interesting. Here the collared Matriarch approaches the vehicle on her way to a nearby dam
With the demise of the original male Cheetah that was introduced to the Reserve a replacement was introduced in the form of a coalition of two large males. As per protocol they spent some time in the boma before recently being released. A few days ago I came upon their tracks and was fortunate to catch up and spend a couple of hours with them They had been moving along the fence line, acclimatising themselves with the property when they had come across the male from the next door Reserve. An ongoing standoff ensued with much hissing and movement up ans down that section as close to the fence as possible Our collared male getting acquainted with the fence and the neighbour. The tracking collar is a management tool used to monitor their whereabouts and check all is well as they settle onto the property He looks back at me as I sit and observe him from my vehicle Hissing at the neighbouring male that is so close but so far He takes a bit of a break from proceedings He also takes time to carry out some important scent marking in their new territory The non collared male approaching the fence to assess the other male They need to make a kill looking at how empty they are constant movement along the fenceline My first images with the two in the frame Moving on down the line
After the Cape Glossy Starlings vacated this nest site the Woodland Kingfishers began to use it. I am sure this is the same pair that used this nest last year. Express delivery Time to go fetch another food parcel Still hunting from this perch in front of our house Returning to the nest site with another catch delivery incoming
A scrape in the ground, 100 - 170 mm in diameter and 60 - 100 mm deep. Often placed against the trunk of a sapling, ( in this case a young Knobthorn tree). The eggs are easily visible when not attended.The incubating bird blends well with the surroundings, sitting tight if approached. She leaves the nest a few times a day to feed, when she is joined by the male. Laying months mainly Oct - Nov (Oct-May) in S Africa. Clutch size 5 - 6. Notes taken from Roberts Nests & Eggs of southern African birds - Warwick Tarboton. When I first discovered the nest there were 3 eggs present, since then another has been laid. I will monitor developments with interest Female seen feeding near the nest in the company of the male Male Crested Francolin
The newly introduced pair of Hippos are now proud parents. The calf snoozes whilst lying on Mum's back Wakey Wakey Splish Splash Whispering in Mum's ear Whilst observing the Hippos I also managed to record Yellow-billed Kite, seen here about to have a drink, Woodland Kingfisher, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, and African Paradise-Flycatcher
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