Third time lucky? Peter Connan's year.

[Peter Connan]

P.s. @@Peter Connan - what does your title mean??

@@Tdgraves, it's the third time I am trying to achieve a respectable big year. But since I don't have any firm travel plans, I am probably doomed to failure. Again.

 

Pied Starling:

 

Witgatspreeu Spreo bicolor

 

Same same.

[Peter Connan]

Malachite Kingfisher:

 

Kuifkopvisvanger Alcedo cristata

 

Same same

[Tom Kellie]

 

Ha @@Tom Kellie great minds think alike! After hearing of yours and @@xelas birding trips, I had suggested to @@Peter Connan that we meet up the next time we are in South Africa......

 

 

~ @@Tdgraves

 

Well, well, well!

When your next South Africa visit is congealing, please let me know the general time frame.

I would very seriously look at my schedule to see if it might be possible to cross paths.

What a lovely Safaritalk get together we'd have!

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

Long-tailed Widowbird:

 

Langstertflap Euplectes progne

 

Same same.

[Peter Connan]

Thick-billed Weaver:

 

 

Dikbekwewer Amblyospiza albifrons

 

Same same.

[Peter Connan]

Black-bellied Korhaan:

 

Langbeenkorhaan Eupodotis melanogaster

 

7 February, Barnstormers RC flying field, Bapsfontein.

[TonyQ]

@@Peter Connan

If you achieved so many wonderful sightings in such a short time then I would think you have a very good chance of being "lucky"!

[Peter Connan]

Rufous-naped Lark:

 

 

Rooineklewerik Mirafra Africana

 

7 February, Barnstormers RC flying field, Bapsfontein.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@TonyQ

 

Black Heron:

 

 

Swartreier Egretta ardesiaca

 

14 February, Marievale, again with @@xelas and Zvezda.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

Cape Shoveller:

 

 

Kaapse Slopeend Anas smithii

 

As above.

[Tdgraves]

 

P.s. @@Peter Connan - what does your title mean??

@@Tdgraves, it's the third time I am trying to achieve a respectable big year. But since I don't have any firm travel plans, I am probably doomed to failure. Again.Pied Starling:PiedODP.jpgWitgatspreeu Spreo bicolorSame same.

I thought it might relate to the elusive prize that @@Game Warden offered.....

 

Anyway, you don't need to "travel" apart from a few Kms in the car, as you live in South Africa!!

 

Already several species so far that I have yet to see

[Peter Connan]

Hottentot Teal:

 

 

Gevlekte Eend Anas hottentota

 

Same same.

[Tdgraves]

Ps do you have some new kit or have you been practising? The standard of photos is VERY high....

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@Tdgraves. However, I feel that to truly be able to call it a big year, I feel I need at least 30% of SA's species. And that won't be possible without extensive travelling.

 

Kit is Nikon D750 and mostly 500mm f4. Nothing new since august last year.

 

Fulvous Duck:

 

Fluiteend Dendrocygna bicolor

 

Same same.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

South African Shelduck:

 

Kopereend Tadorna cana

 

Same same.

 

I think that'll have to do for today...

Edited March 23, 2016 by Peter Connan

[Treepol]

@@Peter Connan lovely photos as usual - how lucky to get both bishops in one frame.

 

As I write this the yellow-tailed black cockatoos are wheeling and squawking overhead, shame its too dark for photos this morning.

 

[Tdgraves]

Now I am cheating big time.This image belongs to Zvezdana, not me I hope she and @@xelas don't mind.Wattled Starling (female):Kgalagadi 2016-012 A.JPGLelspreeu Creatophora cinerea

Definitely cheating - referee?!?

[dlo]

@@Peter Connan

 

So many great great shots I always enjoy your pictures and you always educate me with so many birds I've never heard of. Thanks for doing this.

[Peter Connan]

@@dlo, only a pleasure.

[michael-ibk]

Terrífic stuff, Peter - all excellent.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@Treepol and @@michael-ibk. I appreciate your kind comments.

 

So, the first egg has landed.

 

The Korhaan in post #31 is in fact a Northern Black (Witvlerkkorhaan or Eupodotis afraoides

Edited March 24, 2016 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

Black-headed Heron:

 

 

Swartkopreier Ardea melanocephala

 

Marievale, 14 February, with @@xelas and Zvezda

[Peter Connan]

Lesser Swamp-warbler:

 

Kaapse Rietsanger Acrocephalus gracilirostris

 

Same time, same place, same wonderful company.

[Peter Connan]

Pied Kingfisher:

 

 

Bontvisvanger Ceryle rudis

 

Same same

 

We also saw Malachite, slightly closer than the one at Rietvlei, but not so that anybody could get any really good photos.

[Peter Connan]

34) Purple Swamphen:

 

 

Grootkoningriethaan Porphyrio madagascariensis

 

Same same.