Pedro´s Rookie Year

[xelas]

Most definitively one of the strongest competitors in the EBC category, @pedro maia!

[pedro maia]

Second morning in Mashatu we went to the photo hide where we also went last September, one is at ground level with a great perspective, there´s a professional photographer, Janet Kleyn, that gives tips to those who need, like us, and then you just have to wait for the animals to show up, I was expecting to get some BY additions and it was what happened.

 

Of course it´s better if you have photography knowledge, because there´s a lot to consider especially in what light is concerned, and of course I did lots of mistakes but also tried new camera settings that with practice I hope will help in the future.

Edited September 1, 2019 by pedro maia

[pedro maia]

#189/BT 30, 19/8, Great Sparrow, Mashatu

 

[pedro maia]

#190/BT 31, 19/8, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Mashatu

[pedro maia]

#191/BT 32, 19/8, Grey Lowrie, Mashatu

 

Very different light exposures and conditions in these photos

 

 

 

This one was taken at the camp hide

 

 

[pedro maia]

#192/BT 33, 19/8, Helmeted Guineafowl, Mashatu

 

 

This one was taken on a game drive, I found curious that they didn´t walk by the ditch, just jumped from one side to another

 

 

[pedro maia]

#193/BT 34, 19/8, Swanson´s Francolin, Mashatu

 

[pedro maia]

#194/BT 35, 19/8, Natal Francolin, Mashatu

 

 

 

[Alex Rogers]

Love the Louries and Francolin. The former are just cool birds, and the francolin are so beautiful when you see them clearly and can admire their markings. Are people starting to call them Spurfowl, or does everyone just call them francolin still? 

[pedro maia]

9 hours ago, Alex Rogers said:

Love the Louries and Francolin. The former are just cool birds, and the francolin are so beautiful when you see them clearly and can admire their markings. Are people starting to call them Spurfowl, or does everyone just call them francolin still? 

 

I think I heard something about it but in Mashatu species list they are listed as francolins so I used that name.

[Galana]

14 hours ago, Alex Rogers said:

Are people starting to call them Spurfowl, or does everyone just call them francolin still? 

These splitters need no encouragement.

" When split, the English name "francolin" is generally restricted to the members of the genera Francolinus, Peliperdix, Dendroperdix and Scleroptila, while the name "spurfowl" is used for Pternistis ("spurfowl" is also used for Galloperdix of the Indian subcontinent). " Except on alternate Tuesdays when there is an "R" in the month! "

[michael-ibk]

What a Nightjar. Exceptional. 

 

Looks like a very productive time in Mashatu. Many beautiful photos, especially from the hide. Getting a Dove in flight is really difficult, well done!

[pedro maia]

It was quite productive considering that we only stayed for 3 nights and that it was a regular safari, not a birding trip, and the nightjar was my only chance to win something here or at least to compete for the victory . 

[pedro maia]

#195/BT 36, 19/8, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Mashatu

 

 

With the kids...

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by pedro maia

[pedro maia]

#196/37, 19/8, Red-billed Quelea, Mashatu

 

Edited September 2, 2019 by pedro maia

[pedro maia]

Someone was really thirsty...

 

#197/BT38, 19/8, African Green Pigeon, Mashatu

 

 

 

[pedro maia]

#198/BT 39, 19/8, Crowned Lapwing, Mashatu

[pedro maia]

#199/BT 40, 19/8, Meve´s Starling, Mashatu

 

[Alex Rogers]

Looks like a very productive waterhole - great place for a hide. Love your quelea shots, really gives an impression of how sociable those birds are. 

[PeterHG]

Beautiful Quelea shot and I love the colours of the Meve's Starling. Must be a real pleasure to use that hide for photography

[pedro maia]

1 hour ago, PeterHG said:

Beautiful Quelea shot and I love the colours of the Meve's Starling. Must be a real pleasure to use that hide for photography

 

Thanks Peter, I tried some new camera settings to try to enhance the starling colours and I like how they worked, even if the result was also an overexposed background.

 

About the hide, it´s really great because of the perspective and the closeness to the waterhole, a good photographer like you would take wonderful pictures there.

 

And it´s not only about birds, this picture, from Mashatu´s Facebook, is from the week prior to my trip:

 

[pedro maia]

And it´s time for my double century, a number I never thought about when I started my BY, also because I didn´t think I would be able to go to Africa this year (and even if I did think about that possibility), 

 

Still at the hide, at a certain moment we noticed some unusual turmoil on our left, a few birds were diving close to the ground as if they wanted to chase something away, a closer look showed what was bothering them:

 

#200/BT 41, 19/8, Pearl-spotted Owl, Mashatu

 

 

 

What a badass, the dove is bigger than it, one of the highlights of the trip.

[Alex Rogers]

Oh wow, awesome capture!

[michael-ibk]

Wow, Incredible, I had no idea a Pearl-Spotted would even try to kill a Dove! Awesome bird and pics for your Nr. 200, congratulations Pedro!

[Zim Girl]

Fantastic picture for your 200th!!