PC's fifth attempt

[Peter Connan]

215 ) Black-backed Puffback

 

Sneeubal

Dryoscopus cubla

 

I remember saying to @Tdgraves fairly early in the year that I had not seen one of these, then just a month or so later I got one in Botswana, but didn't manage a half-decent photo, but now here it is.

 

 

 

 

22 September, Nelspruit.

[Tdgraves]

Glad you finally found one @Peter Connan

[Galana]

Not one but two?

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Tdgraves and @Galana.

[TonyQ]

The Puffback is a beauty @Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @TonyQ

 

216) Speckled Mousebird

 

Gevlekte Muisvoel

Colius striatus

 

 

 

22 September, Nelspruit.

[Peter Connan]

217) White-rumped Swift

 

Witkruiswindswael

Apus caffer

 

 

 

Crocodile Bridge, Kruger National Park, 23 September

[Peter Connan]

218) Golden Weaver

 

Goudwewer

Ploceus xanthops

 

 

22 September, Nelspruit

[Peter Connan]

219) Spectacled Weaver

 

Brilwewer

Ploceus ocularis

 

 

This second shot was at ISO7200, sorry about the noise...

 

24 September, Nelspruit

[xelas]

Noise?! What noise??

 

Both Weavers are spectacular, @Peter Connan! Really like the spectacled part of them, the eye shines, even the noise.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @xelas. I do think the Spectacled is the prettiest South African Weaver.

 

In terms of the noise, the D500 did surprise me pleasantly this time, but the fact that I could get close enough and thus didn't have to crop too much definitely helped!

[Peter Connan]

220) Greater Double-collared Sunbird

 

Groot-rooibandsuikerbekkie

Cinnyris afra

 

 

 

22& 24 September, Nelspruit

[PeterHG]

What a beautiful bird and terrific shots, especially the last one!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG.

[xelas]

Amazing! I have only seen those hints of yellow feathers with a binoculars, never on the photo.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @xelas. Apparently they are only really visible on a bird in breeding condition.

 

221) Scarlet-chested Sunbird

 

Rooiborssuikerbekkie

Chalcomitra senegalensis

 

The female was quite accommodating:

 

But the male made life difficult...

 

 

 

22-24 September, Nelspruit.

[Peter Connan]

222) Purple-crested Turaco

 

Bloukuifloerie

Musophaga porphyreolopha

 

The national bird of Swaziland, these birds are skulkers. Often heard and less frequently seen in my friend's garden, they tend to crawl around inside the densest vegetation.

While I was there, there was a mulberry tree fruiting, and lots of birds were making use of it. I had found these guys in there, but no real photos. Then one afternoon,  this chap landed in a bare tree 100m away, and called. I took up position, hoping he was on his way to the Mulberry Restaurant. And he was!

 

 

22 September, Nelspruit

[Tdgraves]

Great skulker in flight shot!

Edited October 17, 2018 by Tdgraves
Typo

[TonyQ]

A wonderful photo @Peter Connan  really superb!

[Galana]

Brilliant capture. Well done.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Tdgraves, @TonyQ and @Galana.

[michael-ibk]

What a bird, and what a shot. Bravo Peter!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @michael-ibk.

 

223) White-crowned Lapwing

 

Witkopkiewiet

Vanellus albiceps

 

 

 

In two of these shots, the spurs on the wing are clearly visible. They are used in territorial disputes and presumably sometimes to fight off predators.

 

Sabie river, 23 September

Edited October 18, 2018 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

224)African Cuckoo-hawk

 

Koekoekvalk

Aviceda cuculoides

 

 

 

One single sighting high up in the sky...

25 September, Nelspruit.

 

And with that, we once again temporarily grind to a halt...

[Dave Williams]

4 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

224)African Cuckoo-hawk

 

Koekoekvalk

Aviceda cuculoides

 

And with that, we once again temporarily grind to a halt...

 

 

At least you are optimistic it's only a temporary glitch!

Terrific Turaco flight shot but the lapping Lapwing wins it for me! Belter.