PC's slightly less lazy year.

[Peter Connan]

Not going for big numbers or the best quality, just having a bit of fun. The birds here will be the ones I find interesting and those that just beg to be photographed.

 

I was lucky enough to start the year off right: in the bush for a couple of weeks. More specifically in the Olifants West nature reserve, part of the greater Kruger complex.

 

So, setting the tone with an EBC:

 

1) African Pygmy Kingfisher

8 Jan 2023

 

One of my favorite things to do is an early-morning stroll in the bush. It's a taste I acquired as a child and one of the reasons I don't do too well in most national parks, but it's also a risky endeavor, now even more than in my young days, as in those days I carried a rifle but now I carry a camera.

 

This morning's walk was in the bed of the Olifants river. He flew across to the thicker reeds along the edge of the water, and I was not prepared to follow too far as there was a pod of hippos close by where he disappeared, so I never got a better opportunity than this, but I have never seen them in this area before. Strangely, I never saw his black and white brother this time.

Edited January 17, 2023 by Peter Connan

[BRACQUENE]

I might be an EBC Peter but I am still impressed by this rare sighting and welcome back for a new BY !

[Peter Connan]

Thanks Peter @BRACQUENE.

[PeterHG]

Glad to see you back, Peter and with an EBC of a special sighting. I’m glad you did not pursue it to try and get a better shot….!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG

Edited January 17, 2023 by Peter Connan

[xelas]

Welcome back, Peter, we have missed you! After "a couple of weeks in the bush" this will certainly be a busy year .

 

Are you still volunteering as an impromptu birding guide for fellow Safaritalkers ?

[Galana]

My welcome to add to the others and I look forward to some interesting photos to come.

Good to see your start with an EBC and of such a lovely little bird.

[Peter Connan]

15 hours ago, xelas said:

 

 

Are you still volunteering as an impromptu birding guide for fellow Safaritalkers ?

 

Thank you very much Alex and Fred.

 

Anytime Alex!

[TonyQ]

Welcome back @Peter Connan, it will be good to see more of your photos!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @TonyQ

 

While we are on the EBC (promise, there will be some nice shots later on):

 

2) Ground Hornbill

11 January, Hardekool

 

 

Heard a few times, seen only once and already in flight when spotted. I was driving the OSV when we saw it and had to rush up the hill to a clear patch, stop the vehicle, grab the camera and swing it to my "weak" side, so an extreme crop and the focus never really locked on.

[Peter Connan]

3) Hamerkop

8 January

 

 

Seen along the same stretch of river as the Pygmy Kingfisher but in the afternoon. Just one flypast...

But this remains a very enigmatic and interesting bird.

[Peter Connan]

4) Wattled Starling

8 January

 

 

During that same morning stroll along the river, a flock of birds took off from a tree on the opposite bank. I just took a shot as an aid to ID...\

 

Later, I saw a few more perched in a bush with two other varieties of Starling.

 

[Peter Connan]

5) Trumpeter Hornbill

8 January

 

 

Still during that same stroll...

Never seen these in this area before.

[PeterHG]

A beautiful flight shot of the Trumpeter Hornbill! I had hoped to see one in November, but no luck.

[Kitsafari]

That's a nice light on the trumpeter hornbill, which still eludes me. 

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHGand @Kitsafari

 

I don't know why the Trumpeter Hornbill's Afrikaans name is "gewone", which means ordinary (by implication common). In my experience, they are quite scarce. I have seen them just three times.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

6) Fork-tailed Drongo

1 January

 

 

 

 

I once saw a set of expertly-taken photos of these Drongos mobbing a snake. Liked them ever since, but I have yet to take photos the equal of those...

[Peter Connan]

7) Bearded Woodpecker

10 January

 

 

 

Back into almost-EBC territory I'm afraid.

[Peter Connan]

8) Jacobin Cuckoo

10 January

 

 

 

Two separate sightings, no good photos.

[Peter Connan]

9) Comb Duck

5 January

 

 

Again, two sightings, no decent shots.

[Peter Connan]

10) Dark-capped Bulbul

1 January

 

 

Surprisingly scarce this time.

[lmSA84]

Great to have you back! Wishing you all the best of luck for the year

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @lmSA84, and a good year to you as well.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

11) African Hoopoe

1 January

 

 

 

Especially for @michael-ibk

I actually frequently have Hoopoes nesting under the eaves of a neighbor's house, but the conditions are terrible for photography.

[Peter Connan]

12) Burchell's Starling

01 January

 

 

Seen pretty much every day but usually sitting high up against the sky.

Also seen in the second picture on post no. 12, in company with two other types of Starling. I did not know that starlings flock together like this.