A Pearl-spotted Owlet on high alert as it gets mobbed by birds who were alert to its presence Showing the false eyes behind the head This relaxed African Scops-Owl had fun pulling faces at me
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The anticipation for the call of the Woodland Kingfisher mounts in the Spring as everybody waits for the arrival of this fairly common breeding intra-African migrant. Birders even take bets as to the day the first sighting or call will be heard. Well the wait is now over. The distinctive loud trilling song, kri-trrrrrrrrrrr is now being heard from the riverbed below our house Woodland Kingfisher
I have been trying for absolutely ages to capture BIF images of the very colourful and iconic Lilac-breasted Roller on take-off. After countless failed attempts, finally the plan came together and here is the result Perched on a branch Take-off frame 1 Take-off frame 2
A few images of a female Red-crested Korhaan that I was lucky enough to encounter as it crossed the road I was travelling along
Summer is here and the Cuckoos are in town. You hear them more often than you get to see them. I have with some luck, and considerable perseverance, managed to capture a few images. I am hoping to add a few more species to my list before they depart again in Autumn Diderick Cuckoo. A common breeding intra-African migrant. Brood parasite of a wide range of species, especially bishops, weavers and sparrows. Call is a 5-7 plaintive high-pitched notes dee-dee-deederick Black Cuckoo. A fairly common breeding intra-African migrant. Brood parasite of the 4 Laniarius shrikes found in Southern Africa. Call is a slow and mournful I'm so sick Red-chested Cuckoo. A common breeding intra-African migrant. Brood parasite mainly of the Cape Robin-Chat, and to a lesser extent to at least 15 other species. Call is a persistent and monotonous piet-my-vrou
Comb Duck male African Black Duck Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike Grey-headed Kingfisher Hamerkop Red-billed Firefinch Stierling's Wren-warbler Woolly-necked Stork Water Thick-knee
Steppe Buzzard. A common non-breeding summer visitor Steppe Buzzard showing the underwing pattern A juvenile Dark Chanting Goshawk. Adult Dark Chanting Goshawk
My wife and I were very fortunate to be able to spend a couple of days with the Safari-Live team at their operation on Djuma Game Reserve. They have game drive vehicles and walking patrols which broadcast live twice daily from Djuma in South Africa and the Masai Mara in Kenya to a worldwide audience on youtube. They film and report on whatever they encounter during their outings. There is audience interaction by way of questions sent in by email during the show. These are relayed to the vehicle by radio and the Ranger provides the answers during the broadcast. There was plenty on offer but we had particularly good sightings of a White Rhino cow and calf and a pregnant Leopard. In position ''A'' alongside the TV camera on the back of the Safari-Live Landrover, about to head off on the evening drive. An amazing encounter with a very relaxed mother and a young calf The White Rhino female clearly showing the 'square lip' The calf having recently enjoyed what may have been her first mud bath White Rhino portrait A female Leopard at rest on an anthill Relaxing in the early evening waiting for it to cool down a bit before getting active She sits up to allow us a great photo oppurtunity A nearby Hyena catches her attention as she prepares to move off A clearly pregnant female Leopard walking through the dry grass Portrait of a Leopard Click on the button above to go to the home page of Safari-Live.
We were fortunate to recently have a breakaway to the Thornybush Game Reserve. We stayed at the 5 Star Thornybush Game Lodge situated on the banks of the seasonal Monwana River. The Game viewing was excellent and I managed to come away with some wonderful images A Portrait of an inquisitive male Giraffe The dominant male Lion enjoying an early evening siesta After giving us a quick glance when we arrived he promptly went straight back to sleep Here a young Lion keeps an eye on us from the cover of some thick bushes A Steenbok male busy feeding in the early evening We saw many Elephant, but I particularly like the image of this one nonchalantly walking down the road, oblivious to our presence A very relaxed Leopard walks past our vehicle A well organised bar for our sundowners A magnificent sunset over the Northern Drakensberg to bring an end to an eventful game drive
Purple-crested Turaco in the tree canopy. One hears them more than you see them A pair of Helmeted Guineafowl quenching their thirsts Black-backed Puffback male Black-backed Puffback female One of a pair of Ashy Flycatchers which are nesting under the roof of our deck Arrow-marked Babbler Common Greenshank White-throated Robin-Chat. A common endemic occasionally parasitized by the Red-chested Cuckoo The Southern BouBou male. A similar but larger and heavier bird. A common endemic.
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April 2024
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