PC's slightly less lazy year.

[Peter Connan]

157) Monotonous Lark (a lifer for me)

 

16 December

[Peter Connan]

158) Rattling Cisticola

 

 

12 December

[Peter Connan]

159) Collared Sunbird

 

 

 

13 December

[Peter Connan]

160) Yellow-billed Stork

 

14 December

Edited December 24, 2023 by Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

161) Levaillant's Cuckoo

 

12 December

(do these birds only ever come out if the weather is poor?)

[Peter Connan]

162) Diederick's Cuckoo

 

10 December

[Peter Connan]

The day after commenting about a missed opportunity on somebody else's thread:

 

163) Orange-breasted Bush-shrike

 

 

16 December

[Peter Connan]

And lastly, another lifer, but not only for the bird but the whole family. Unfortunately a bit of an EBC.

 

164) Black Cuckooshrike

 

 

 

17 December.

 

17 birds in an area where we had already spent time, and in the same season, indicates either how lazy I am or how things can change, not sure which.

In the last few days leading up to the new year we will be camping close to Marakele, so maybe there will be a few more entries, but overall I am not too unhappy considering the amount of travelling I didn't do this year.

 

But for now, a merry Christmas and a happy new year to all my BY friends. See you soon!

Edited December 24, 2023 by Peter Connan

[xelas]

Lifers are always good, even if they hide behind branches and leaves. Enjoy Marakele, happy holidays to you all!

[TonyQ]

Well done with two lifers, and some beautiful photos.

(Is 160 a Yellow-billed stork rather than a yellow-bellied stork by any chance?)

[Peter Connan]

1 hour ago, TonyQ said:

Well done with two lifers, and some beautiful photos.

(Is 160 a Yellow-billed stork rather than a yellow-bellied stork by any chance?)

Of course it is, thanks @TonyQ!

And thanks @xelas.

[Galana]

Great photos of Deiderick's Cuckoo and awesoe Orange-breasted Bushshrike. I don't hink I have ever seen a clearer photograph of either.

[Kitsafari]

That black cuckooshrike is a bird of beauty! never seen it before. 

 

It was probably a dry trip - we've had that a number of times this year yielding low numbers. or it's just our lack of luck! 

 

Happy holidays to you too @Peter Connan

[Peter Connan]

 

 

3 hours ago, Galana said:

Great photos of Deiderick's Cuckoo and awesoe Orange-breasted Bushshrike. I don't hink I have ever seen a clearer photograph of either.

Actually I don't consider the Diederick's a good shot. Here are a couple I have managed in the past:

 

 

 

[Galana]

7 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

Here are a couple I have managed in the past:

Great photos.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @Galana

[michael-ibk]

Some great birds and photos Peter! 

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @michael-ibk

[PeterHG]

Those (older) flight shots of the Diederick Cuckoo are stunning, Peter! I also loved your interaction shots of the vulture and the crocodile. And of course the magnificent Bush-shrike! Same wishes to you and your family, of course.

[TonyQ]

Stunning flight shots Peter!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHGand @TonyQ.

[Peter Connan]

We (myself, my wife, youngest daughter and son-in-law-to-be) ended off the year with a quick camping trip to Tikva Lodge. This little lodge belongs to a guy I am friendly with through our 4x4 community. It's situated on the back fence of Marakele National Park, near the town of Thabazimbi.

 

Basically a lovely garden surrounded with a few chalets with a bar, communal braai area, pool and other "activity-facilities" for family holidays. Since the owner is a fairly experienced 4 wheel driver and one of the facilities is a small 4x4 obstacle course, this might be an ideal place for self-drivers with limited 4x4 experience to start their trip.

 

Some "product improvements", mostly from the garden:

 

Fork-tailed Drongo (juvenile):

 

Lesser Striped Swallow:

 

 

 

 

Woodland Kingfisher:

 

 

 

[Peter Connan]

I seem to have doubled-up a couple of numbers somewhere...

163) White-faced Duck

 

 

30 December

[Peter Connan]

164) Lesser Honeyguide

 

30 December

[Peter Connan]

165) Little Swift

 

 

 

28 December