PC's fifth attempt

[Peter Connan]

168) Common Ostrich

 

Volstruis

Struthio camelus

 

I guess if you go to Rietvlei and you don't see an Ostrich you are doing something wrong, but getting a good picture is not always that easy...

 

27 May

[Kitsafari]

On 7/2/2018 at 9:18 PM, Galana said:

Love the Violet -eared Waxbill.

 

x2. gorgeous looking bird and your shot showed its lovely colours so well.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Kitsafari.

[PeterHG]

Incredible Thick-knee shots, @Peter Connan!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG

[Peter Connan]

169) Common Fiscal

 

Fiskallaksman

Lanius collaris

 

Rietvlei, 27 May

 

My garden, 1 July

 

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort, 23 June

[xelas]

A lovely series of a commonly seen bird, @Peter Connan! You have had some great birding days in Rietvlei and Walter Sisulu; was there a picnic also?!

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @xelas

 

Not this time. I had borrowed one of my brother's cars while repairing the Patrol. So, on the day of return, I went to WSNBG early in the morning, and from there met the family at my Mother's house for lunch...

[Peter Connan]

170) Pied Crow

 

Witborskraai

Corvus albus

 

27 May, Rietvlei

[Zim Girl]

Beautiful set of latest pictures, @Peter Connan, I love the Violet Eared Waxbill - very pretty small bird.

[Dave Williams]

Excellent shots Peter but I'm finding it slightly difficult to look as I should have been in the airport on out way to Cape Town right now! Believe it's a bit chilly in Jo'berg too!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Zim Girl and @Dave Williams

 

Dave, I completely understand your disappointment!
 

It's gotten warmer again (minimum this morning was 8 C), but the news is bragging that the next cold front will hit us for the weekend (not sure why cold fronts always arrive on the weekend). I just hope the skies are clear on Friday, as it's a full lunar eclipse!

[Peter Connan]

171) Rose-ringed Parakeet

 

Ringnekparkiet

Psittacula krameri

 

 

 

 

These were taken at Rietvlei on the 27th May, but at certain times of the year there is a flock roaming around my home. They are usually quite tricky to approach though.

[xelas]

Last parakeet photo is fabulous! Indeed they are seen around your home, on the tree just opposite of the garden  !

[Peter Connan]

19 hours ago, xelas said:

Last parakeet photo is fabulous! Indeed they are seen around your home, on the tree just opposite of the garden  !

 

But never when I have a camera in my hand... Although I have taken photos of one in the tree on my driveway. But as you know, that one is full of leaves...

 

Another less-than-stellar set of photos, but such a beautiful little bird, and what a surprise it was to see!

 

172) Orange-breasted Waxbil

 

Rooiassie

Amandava subflava

 

 

27 May, Rietvlei

[lmSA84]

Lovely shots of a difficult subject. The last time I saw Orange-breasted Waxbills was at Marievale near those huts that you rent as accommodation at the entrance 

[xelas]

6 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

Another less-than-stellar set of photos

 

The look stellar to me, @Peter Connan! 

[Galana]

Lovely Waxbill. One I have yet to see. Currently working on putting that right.

[Peter Connan]

thank you very much @lmSA84, @xelas and @Galana

[Peter Connan]

173) White-breasted Cormorant

 

Witborsduiker

Phalacrocorax lucidus

 

 

 

 

And an unfortunate amputee

 

27 May, Rietvlei

[PeterHG]

Your flight shots are a treat, @Peter Connan !

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG

[Peter Connan]

174) Pied Starling

 

Witgatspreeu

Spreo bicolor

 

Pied in birding terms normally means predominantly black and white, but this one does have some colour and even some gloss/sheen when the light is nice!

 

 

 

 

And that concludes a surprisingly productive little early-winter visit to Rietvlei on the 27th of May.

[Peter Connan]

Early in June I got another opportunity for a weekend to Siyaya Lodge in dinokeng.

 

175) Pale Chanting Goshawk

 

Bleeksingvalk

Melierax canorus

 

 

9 June, Dinokeng

[Galana]

I would have called Lizard Buzzard. Do you have a shot with its chin up?