PC's Better year

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @elefromoz.

[Peter Connan]

212) Green-backed Heron

 

Groenrugreier

Butorides striatus

 

 

3 December, Rietvlei.

[Dave Williams]

You, unlike me have put quality over quantity!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Dave Williams, but the majority of your shots are truly stunning.

 

Actually, focusing on only posting quality shots has had less of an effect on the numbers than I initially anticipated. The current list of EBC's is only 6 birds long...

 

Having sayd that, in amongst those six are a totally unexpected sighting of a Yellow-billed Kite flying over my neighbourhood, only the second recorded sighting of Long-crested Eagle over the Roodepoort Botanical Gardens (in company with a juvenile Black Eagle) and a massive flock of Storks (I think White, but the photos are so bad even I am struggling to positively identify them...

Edited December 15, 2017 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

213) Red-faced Mousebird

 

Rooiwangmuisvoel

Urocolius indicus

 

 

8 December, at home, Kempton Park.

[Peter Connan]

214) Black-shouldered Kite

 

Blouvalk

Elanus caeruleus

 

This is one of those birds. Fairly common just a few kilometers from where I live, I frequently see them perched on telephone lines along the roads when visiting friends in Centurion, but almost never when I have a camera and a bit of time. So several times, I specifically went hunting them.

 

 

A couple of days later, I swung by the Bonaero Park Dam, and found another one, this time eating something (perhaps a Lapwing chick judging by the leg). No chance of getting closer though, that whole area is a bog after the rains we have had recently, and I was on my way to work (clean clothes and all...).

 

 

 

9 & 12 December, Kempton Park

[Peter Connan]

 

On the 10th of December, I went to Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort to try and photograph the Verraux's Eagle aggression-phase once again.

 

This time, we did see the eagles, and one incedent of aggression, but it was very far away. We also saw the young eagle repeatedly try his luck at catching a Mountain Reedbuck, somethin his parents wouldn't even attempt. I must have a picture somewhere but am struggling to find it among 800 others...

 

 

 

We also saw Long-crested Eagle, only the second recorded sighting of this bird in the area, and am including a photo here for interest, but not claiming it as part of the count as the photo is not up to standard. Seen here in company with the juvenile Verraux's Eagle

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2017 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

But while we were standing up there waiting for the eagles, I did get another one of those birds. The ones that are so common right up to the moment when you pick up a camera.

 

215) Rock Dove

 

Tuinduif

Columba livia

 

 

 

10 December, Walter Sisulu National botanical Gardens.

[Peter Connan]

When the light becasme really harsh, we went down to the restaurant for lunch and a discussion on shooting BIF, which then meandered past camping and destinations... Then we decided to have a quick look at the hide.

 

Arriving at the hide there was nothing of interest, but 5 minutes later it started drizzling. We were just agreeing that it would probably not amount to real rain when it did, and kept on for about an hour. Somewhere in the middle, this guy arrived:

 

216) Giant Kingfisher

 

Reusevisvanger

Megaceryle maxima

 

 

 

 

 

10 December, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort

[xelas]

I like the first photo a lot! Slower speed worked same magic on rain drops as (much slower) makes it on your star trails photos!

[TonyQ]

I think the third photo works brilliantly!

[PeterHG]

An excellent set of photos of the Giant Kingfisher, @Peter Connan! 

[Dave Williams]

Agreed! Cracking bird.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @xelas, @TonyQ, @PeterHG and @Dave Williams for your kind comments.

 

This was going to be my last bird, but fortunately I went to Marievale again this past Sunday...

 

[Dave Williams]

How many of the shots are from South Africa Peter? I wonder who has the highest single country tally?

[Peter Connan]

This becomes tricky @Dave Williams. At this stage, 131. But a number (probably most) of those birds were also seen in SA, but I have not been trying to keep tally of those...

 

 

[Peter Connan]

As mentioned a couple of posts ago, I revisited Marievale on Sunday the 17th. 

Driving up to the gate: Red-billed Quelea (already counted, No 126)...

 

 

Later on...

217) Fan-tailed Widowbird

 

Kortstertflap

Euplectes axillaris

 

 

[PeterHG]

I love that Quelea photo, @Peter Connan! (I see you're going for the 'greatest number in one shot' award )

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @PeterHG. Just one of those magical moments one has to try and capture!

[Galana]

7 hours ago, PeterHG said:

I love that Quelea photo, @Peter Connan! (I see you're going for the 'greatest number in one shot' award 

So do I? I have a similar one.

Also Tempy web access. at about 1mb per day. Cannot help with the Sabota saga at the moment. Will try later.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @Galana

I had hoped that saga was concluded, but there may well be a few new iffy ID's here soon...

 

218) Yellow-crowned Bishop

 

Goudgeelvink

Euplectes afer

 

 

 

17 December, Marievale

[Peter Connan]

Right, with eyes closed and fingers and toes crossed:

219) Ruff

 

Kemphaan

Philomachus pugnax

 

 

17 December, Marievale

[Tdgraves]

Definitely a ruff @Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @Tdgraves.

[Dave Williams]

One of the species that change from absolutely stunning to plain as can be in non breeding plumage. I'd love to witness a Ruff Lek one day ( seen a few roughnecks in my time though!)