PC's fifth attempt

[xelas]

Beautiful reflection, Peter!

[Galana]

I agree. It sets off that photo very well indeed particularly given the stilts are almost all exposed.

Q. Has anybody ever seen a Stilts feet?

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @xelas and @Galana

 

Yes I have. Will post a pic for you later or in the morning...

[Peter Connan]

@Galana, as promised, Stilts with feet...

 

Taken at Strandvlei in December 2015

 

 

 

 

[Galana]

I should have guessed. BIF of course!

[michael-ibk]

Great shots Peter. Especially like the Zebra-framed Egret and the Glossy feathers. 

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @Galana and @michael-ibk

 

28) Goliath Heron

 

Reusereier

Ardea goliath

 

2 January, Pilanesberg

 

The rest are from Marievale, 28 January

 

 

 

Several of the Heron species have been recorded to fish using lures. They place something in the water, and catch any fish that comes to investigate.

 

That appears to be what this guy was doing with this stick, placing it in the water repeatedly.

 

Unfortunately we did not see him cath anything, but then, I don't think this lure was particularly appetising...

[TonyQ]

Fascinating information about the use of lures- I didn't know that.

Very much enjoying your photos

[Galana]

Me neither, but I am not surprised as many animals and birds that catch and eat live food learn tricks.

We have all seen Gulls 'dance' on the grass surface to simulate rain to draw up invertebrates. At the other extreme Jaguar are known to tap the water surface with their tail to lure fish but my favourite is the way Leopard drop Sausage tree blossom from above to draw in Impala.

I am sure there must be many more.

[Dave Williams]

Great collection so far, I'm making notes of what I didn't see that you have on my Gambia trip.

[Peter Connan]

6 hours ago, Galana said:

Me neither, but I am not surprised as many animals and birds that catch and eat live food learn tricks.

We have all seen Gulls 'dance' on the grass surface to simulate rain to draw up invertebrates. At the other extreme Jaguar are known to tap the water surface with their tail to lure fish but my favourite is the way Leopard drop Sausage tree blossom from above to draw in Impala.

I am sure there must be many more.

 

I did not know any of these except for the Jaguar, thank you!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @Dave Williams

 

29) White-faced Whistling Duck

 

Nonnetjie-eend

Dendrocygna viduata

 

 

 

Some more saucy behaviour, unfortunately quite far away.

 

What I don't know is what actually happened. Was it an attempt at a threesome, or did the husband come home half-way through the act?

 

 

 

 

1 & 2 January, Mankwe Dam, Pilanesberg

[xelas]

[Galana]

6 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

 

What I don't know is what actually happened.

She was just the local bike!

[Peter Connan]

30) Little Grebe

 

Kleindobbertjie

Tachybaptus ruficollis

 

By far smaller than any of the other floating birds, it makes up for that with supreme aggression.

 

 

1 January, Rathlogo hide, Pilanesberg

[Peter Connan]

31) Great Sparrow

 

Grootmossie

Passer motitensis

 

 

Birds on the ground among foliage are always tricky. The area-based AF modes so useful for birds in flight become a liability here, and a single point must be used, or sometimes even manual focus...

 

2 January, Pilanesberg

[Peter Connan]

32) Southern Red Bishop

 

Rooivink

Euplectes orix

 

1 January, Pilanesberg

 

During summer these bright birds are a feature of every stand of reeds. In winter they are, to me anyway, completely unrecognizeable, as are the females at all times of the year.

 

They are seed-eaters.

 

1 January, Pilanesberg and 28 January, Marievale

[Peter Connan]

33) Southern Masked Weaver

 

Swartkeelgeelvink

Ploceus velatus

 

 

 

Closely related, but instead of nesting in reeds, these guys nest in trees. Their neat, well constructed nests are a common feature as they are very numerous and common, and they are also incredibly prolific builders. I have a Fever tree in my garden that they have taken a liking to, and at times it has as many as eight nests in it. All, as far as I can tell, are built by just one male, and he regularly tears an under-performing nest down and builds another in it's place.

 

They are mainly summer breeders, but will breed for as long as they can find sufficient food.

 

1 January, Pilanesberg and 27 January, Home

[Peter Connan]

34) Red-billed Quelea

 

Rooibekkwellea

Quelea quelea

 

 

 

Considered the most numerous bird in Africa, Quelea can breed incredibly quickly in response to favourible conditions. They form massive flocks if there is sufficient grass seeds.

 

1 & 2 January, Pilanesberg

[Peter Connan]

35) Black-throated Canary

 

Bergkanarie

Serinus atrogularis

 

 

My first and only sighting of this bird.

2 January, Pilanesberg

[Peter Connan]

36) African Pied Wagtail

 

 

Bontkwikkie

Motacilla aguimp

 

 

 

This guy kept mostly beneath the hide and the walkwy to the hide, and only emerged into sunlight briefly and irregularly.

 

1 January, Pilanesberg

Edited February 11, 2018 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

37) Kalahari Scrub-robin

 

Kalahariwipstert

Cercotrichas paena

 

 

2 January, Pilanesberg

[Peter Connan]

38) Arrow-marked Babbler

 

Pylvlekkatlagter

Turdoides jardineii

 

These birds move around in noisy flocks of 5-20 birds, always chattering. They tend to stay fairly low in the trees and keep moving almost constantly.

 

 

 

Front one is a juvenile.

 

1 January, Pilanesberg

[Geoff]

Nice lighting in the quelea flight shot.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @Geoff