PC's 2019: a lazy year

[Peter Connan]

For a various reasons, travelling has to take a bit of a back seat this year. As a result, bird numbers will be pretty low this year, but that doesn't mean my camera is going to remain in the cupboard either. So let's see what happens...

 

On the 12th of January, I visited Marievale. 

 

1) Black Crake

 

Swartriethaan

Amaurornis flavirostris

 

 

 

Marievale, 12 January

[Kitsafari]

I couldn't help but smiled at how the poor crake was running for food and i hope his efforts were rewarded. 

[Peter Connan]

Haha @Kitsafari, it was probably running for cover rather than food. These are pretty shy little birds!

[Galana]

A good if late start @Peter Connan. Quality if not quantity.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @Galana. At this stage, I'm not even making any promises about keeping the quality consistent... I'm just going to have fun this year!

[PeterHG]

1 hour ago, Peter Connan said:

I'm just going to have fun this year!

That's the spirit! Good to see your contributions here again.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @PeterHG.

[Peter Connan]

2) Whiskered Tern

 

Witbaardsterretjie

Chlidonias hybridus

 

 

12 January, Marievale

 

Zibulo, 17 February

 

 

[Galana]

On 3/3/2019 at 11:21 AM, Peter Connan said:

I'm just going to have fun this year!

Having fun is what this thread is all about. Scores are secondary.

[Zim Girl]

I think quality is a 'given' if those pictures of the tern are anything to go by.

Pleased you are doing another year Peter.

[mvecht]

@Peter Connan   Zibulo looks very interesting and your pictures are fantastic. Do the hides get crowded?

How long will it take to drive there from ie Westcliff?

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Galana, @Zim Girl and @mvecht.

 

Michael, I think around 1hr and 45 minutes from Westcliff.

 

Having only been there once, I can't make accurate predictions on how busy it gets, but on the morning we were there (high summer, ordinary Sunday, great weather) there was only one other photographer present. Thus I doubt it gets extremely busy often.

[Peter Connan]

3) Little Bittern

 

Kleinruiter

Ixobrychus minutus

 

Just one sudden and unexpected flypast, with the light still very low. The shutter speed here was 1/1000th, not enough unfortunately.

 

 

12 January, Marievale

[michael-ibk]

Very happy to see you are "in" again Peter, and I´m looking forward very much to your contributions again.

[lmSA84]

Yeah - Welcome back, it wouldn’t be the same BY without you! 

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @michael-ibk and @lmSA84

 

4) Malachite Kingfisher

 

Kuifkopvisvanger

Alcedo cristata

 

 

 

Marievale, 12 January

[PeterHG]

Wonderfful shots of the Malachite Kingfisher!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG.

[xelas]

Amazing photo, @Peter Connan! Was there any Canon 1DX owner photographing next to you?

[Tdgraves]

Wow!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @xelas and @Tdgraves.

 

Alex, I am not sure but there were a couple of big Canons in the hide, but I am not sure exactly which models.

[xelas]

5 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

I am not sure exactly which models.

 

1DX is the one that sounds like a Kalashnikov on steroids  when in full "spray&pray" mode. I assume with that kingfisher being close, and with a fish, some shooters did not hold back.

[Peter Connan]

I can't hear the difference between 1DIV and 1Dx, but anyway. This little guy only visited us once, and was off to one side. I don't think anybody else even noticed it...

 

Next one: 

5) Lesser Swamp-warbler

 

Kaapse Rietsanger

Acrocephalus gracilirostris

 

 

12 January, Marievale

[xelas]

What nice brown eyes this bird has! 

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @xelas