Michael´s Fifth Year

[michael-ibk]

197/T153.) Yellow-Throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus) / Gelbkehlpieper

 

Taken while waiting for the airplane in Mikumi park. Kinda suspected the dark little blob on my camera screen could possibly be a Longclaw but only the wonders of post-procession revealed that I was right. And yes, I realize there´s a sinister Big Year conspiracy going on against me and my desire to get admitted into the yearly ebc-contest so I won´t even try this time.

 

[michael-ibk]

198/T154.) African Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus) / Zimtspornpieper

 

Quite common in suitable patches in the Selous.

 

 

I´m not completely sure about this single bird photographed in Ruaha (pretty plain back) but it´s probably another African/Grassland - or would anybody like to cheer me up and contest that ID?

 

[michael-ibk]

199/T155.) Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) / Kardinalspecht

 

A fabulous headless shot from the Selous, I am upping my game now. But can only be a Cardinal with the striped belly and these spotted wings.

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

200/T156.) Speckle-Throated Woodpecker (Campethera scriptoricauda) / Reichenowspecht

 

A few sightings in the Selous where it seems to be the default Woodpecker. I had to cheat a bit with the order of birds from the book to get this one here because normally the Longclaw would have been Nr. 200 - I think this is a somewhat better choice.

 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

I won´t even try this time.

Not even close although as you say; Probably not really worthy of a nice round 200.

For which many congratulations from me especially for getting there without an EBC.

 

1 hour ago, michael-ibk said:

would anybody like to cheer me up and contest that ID?

Not me. Sorry.

[TonyQ]

Well done on reaching 200, and a fine bird to achieve this

[pedro maia]

What a great picture for 200, congrats, now keep working for your first EBC .

[Zim Girl]

Lovely picture of the woodpecker for your 200th!

 

17 hours ago, michael-ibk said:

 And yes, I realize there´s a sinister Big Year conspiracy going on against me and my desire to get admitted into the yearly ebc-contest so I won´t even try this time.

 

 

Just as well, because I definitely have the winner for this year! 

[PeterHG]

What an excellent #200 ! Congatulations on that and the many excellent shots again in your last batches.. A Lark-less trip....mmm I must say that sounds tempting.

[Soukous]

A lovely collection so far Michael and a fine shot for your 200. 

[xelas]

Almost overlooked you have reached #200, congratulations!

[Galana]

2 hours ago, Zim Girl said:

Just as well, because I definitely have the winner for this year! 

Really? We must compare notes.

[Peter Connan]

Stunning photo for your 200th Michael!

[michael-ibk]

Thank you everybody! Onwards and upwards with a slightly less exciting chapter of the book:

 

201/T157.) Dark-Capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) / Graubülbül

 

Africa´s most disappointing bird. AFB, that´s all I will say about it.

 

 

 

 

[michael-ibk]

202/T158.) Shelley´s Greenbul (Andropadus masukuensis) / Shelleybülbül

 

Two seen on a hike in the Udzungwa Mountains, definitely the toughtest birding outing of the trip.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

203/T159.) Sombre Greenbul (Andropadus importunus) / Dunkelbülbül

 

A lifer for me so quite exciting even though it´s a "bul". One in the Selous (where photo was taken), pretty common on Mafia Island.

 

[michael-ibk]

204/T160.) White-Browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) / Weißbrauenrötel

 

Just one sighting of this familiar bird in the Udzungwas, and it did not choose the best position for me.

 

 

I recently succumbed to Lightroom. Photoshop is also in that package and it´s quite fun though too time-consuming for my taste, and it´s not very user-intuitive coming from a regular PP software.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

205/T161.) Red-Capped Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis) / Natalrötel

 

Another lifer for me. Tried to lure it out without success in the Udzungwas but then it was skulking in deep shadows in our lodge garden on Chole Island.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

206/T162.) White-Browed Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) / Weißbrauen-Heckensänger

 

One of the most tireless singers of all birds, I wonder when they ever eat. A few in Ruaha.

 

[michael-ibk]

207/T163.) Spotted Palm-Thrush (Cichladusa guttata) / Tropfenrötel

 

One sighting in the Selous.

 

 

[michael-ibk]

208/T164.) Collared Palm-Thrush (Cichladusa arquata) / Morgenrötel

 

A few scattered sightings throughout the trip, this one from Lake Manze Camp in the Selous where it was stealing breakfast crumbs.

 

[michael-ibk]

209/T165.) Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) / Dorngrasmücke

 

Only "found" this one back home when going through the photos. I was actually taking a photo of Barbets in the middle of this popular bush and then realized, hey, there´s something else in the upper right corner.

 

 

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

210/T166.) Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) / Fitis

 

One sighting in Ruaha. Was thinking about this one a good long while but think Willow is the safest bet.

 

 

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by michael-ibk

[michael-ibk]

211/T167.) Moustached Warbler (Melocichla mentalis) / Bartgrassänger

 

Delighted about this one, a lifer found in the fields around the Udzungwas. Our Great Reed Warbler was also abundant there but I did not try for it.

 

 

 

Up next: Everybody´s darling, crowdpleasers numero uno - Cisticolas!

 

[Galana]

44 minutes ago, michael-ibk said:

202/T158.) Shelley´s Greenbul (Andropadus masukuensis) / Shelleybülbül

NOW you are getting serious about the EBC cup.

But is it trick of the light or my old eyes being tired that I get an impression of a light coloured belly with a hint of a yellow vent?

 

Lovely photos and the Common Whitethroat is a star.

Bring on the Cisticolas.

Edited April 2, 2020 by Galana
amended text.