Faulty starter motor, but I'll get it fixed . Soukous BY 2020

[Soukous]

Thanks @Tdgraves, @xelas & @Galana

I have amended #71 to be a Fork-tailed Drongo in line with the majority view. (ie, I was in a minority of one )

It doesn't affect the count as I had not yet posted a FTD.

[Soukous]

#81 - European Bee-eater - Merops Apiaster

Klein karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

I've not see this species here before, although they do regularly pass through. 

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#82 - Rock Kestrel - Falco rupicolus

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#83 - Karoo Scrub Robin - Erythropygia coryphaeus (FTP #29)

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#84 - African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#85 - Cape Bulbul - Pyconotus capensis

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#86 - Greater Striped Swallow - Cecropis cucullata

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#87 - Yellow Canary - Crithagra flaviventris (FTP #30)

klein Karoo, Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#88 - Speckled Pigeon - Columba guinea

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

[Soukous]

#89 - Speckled Mousebird - Colius striatus

Klein Karoo, SA. feb 2020

 

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#90 - White-backed Mousebird - Colius colius (FTP #31)

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#91 - Drakensberg Prinia - Prinia hypoxantha (FTP #32)

Sani Pass, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

I've amended this from Karoo Prinia to Drakensberg Prinia because (a) I know I got photos of both and (b) the streaking on the breast does not look bold enough for KP and does not extend far enough down towards legs.
of course i could be wrong.

 

[pedro maia]

Great photos, it´s easy to see the difference between a photographer and someone who takes pictures...

[Galana]

39 minutes ago, Soukous said:

of course i could be wrong.

Always that danger. Check out the buff/white tips to the tail feathers! I don't think the DP has those.

[Soukous]

5 minutes ago, Galana said:

Check out the buff/white tips to the tail feathers! I don't think the DP has those.

 

Occasionally it does. 

The new - and excellent - bird app, Bird Pro, which is endorsed by Birdlife SA and is probably the very best app for South African birds at the moment ( sadly it only covers South Africa) has photos of DP with white tips on tail feathers.

I cannot find any mention in Roberts of the white tips being a distinguishing feature between the 2 species. 

 

 

[Soukous]

41 minutes ago, pedro maia said:

Great photos, it´s easy to see the difference between a photographer and someone who takes pictures

 

steady on now. 

[Soukous]

20 hours ago, Soukous said:

#91 - Drakensberg Prinia - Prinia hypoxantha (FTP #32)

Sani Pass, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

I've amended this from Karoo Prinia to Drakensberg Prinia because (a) I know I got photos of both and (b) the streaking on the breast does not look bold enough for KP and does not extend far enough down towards legs.
of course i could be wrong.

 

 

Ah rats! 😕 

On further investigation I have to concede that this is indeed a Karoo Prinia, not Drakensberg. 

The streaking on the chin is the clincher. DP has a plain chin. 

 

I'll post something different for #91 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Soukous

[Dave Williams]

Catch up time, I have been busy doing various things including taking my 500mm back to Canon as it's been playing up for the last few months. I too have experienced a sudden jump in ISO ( when using auto-iso ) for no apparent reason on one or two occasions but I never considered it was a problem with the contacts. Anyway, my trip to Canon diagnosed that the contacts and lens mount needed replacing. The stabiliser was not getting the message and was locking up. It will be interesting to see if there are other improvements in performance. Anyway, £196 lighter in my pocket, I might get out again soon.

Enjoying your photos Martin, excellent quality and some good birds. Oddly the African Oystercatcher is high on my hit list , it's only a black bird but for some reason it has great appeal!

 

[Soukous]

18 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

the African Oystercatcher is high on my hit list , it's only a black bird but for some reason it has great appeal!

 

It is a lovely bird, for a black bird. 

[Soukous]

I got a bit of a shock this morning when I saw over 70 notifications. Then I discovered it was just @Dave Williams catching up. Thanks Dave. 

[Soukous]

#91 (revised) Secretarybird - Sagittarius serpentarius

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

Saw a couple here and also one in Sani Valley. I wasn't planning to post this as I don't like the photo, but there is a reason which will become apparent very soon.

 

 

[Soukous]

#92 - Cape Robin-Chat - Cossypha caffra (FTP #32)

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

immature

 

 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Soukous

[Soukous]

#93 - Southern Boubou - Lanarius ferrugineus (FTP # 33)

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020

 

 

 

[Soukous]

#94 - Mountain Wheatear - Oenanthe monticola (FTP #34)

Sani Pass, SA. Feb 2020

 

immature

 

[Soukous]

#95 - Neddicky - Cisticola fulvicapilla

Klein Karoo, SA. Feb 2020