Tdgraves smaller big year 2023

[Tdgraves]

This year is definitely going to be smaller. Our two Africa trips are both to South Africa, reducing the possible pool and we are going to the Kruger at the "wrong" time for summer migrants, so the total will be lower. I will try to get some in the States and the Caribbean (and try to avoid COVID), but I cannot see how I'll get to a larger total. Our first trip was a bit of a disappointment bird-wise. We tried to go to Barberspan and the light was gorgeous, but the gates were locked: we still have not ascertained why. We also went to the Cape for the first time since 2018, but my plans of at least a good half day in a birding hotspot were scuppered, as our friends, who we had not seen for nearly five years had a packed itinerary to impress us for the two days that we were there! The Kgalagadi total was also probably the lowest ever (my first couple of lists included Upington etc. so hard to be sure). We did manage a few lifers though. Anyway, it's not the total but the taking part that counts. Have started to process the photos, but am also just belatedly starting my Kenya TR, so I'll post in small batches.

 

7T4A4680 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

[Peter Connan]

Wow, what a shot to start off with!

[xelas]

Judging by the opening scene this might be a smaller but it will surely be an impressive Big Year!

[Tdgraves]

3 hours ago, xelas said:

Judging by the opening scene this might be a smaller but it will surely be an impressive Big Year!

but of course, I chose the shot of the trip to tantalise you all!

[Dave Williams]

WOW!

If you don't get another shot all year I would be satisfied with that one. Mind you the Dove could be improved on. 

 

 

Where did you take it, superb POV?

[Tdgraves]

Thanks Dave. Kgalagadi from the drivers seat. We were waiting for 4 cheetah to come to the waterhole to drink (which they did). I don’t think any of the other vehicles noticed the birds, as they were looking at the cheetah’s approach rather than the hole!

[Zim Girl]

Wow, great first picture!

[Tdgraves]

thanks @Peter Connan @Dave Williams @xelas and @Zim Girl

 

[Tdgraves]

Despite this being our fifth trip to KTP, we surprisingly found a few lifers...

 

Nossob in camp, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, 17/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 320, f7.1, 1/1000, EV +2/3

 

7T4A2404 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

1) Abdim's stork

 

This lone stork was living around our room for the duration of our stay. We never saw any others in the park

Edited February 7, 2023 by Tdgraves
typo

[Tdgraves]

Kalahari Tented Camp in camp, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, 23/1/23

 

Canon 7D mark II, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1250, f7.1, 1/2500, EV -1/3

 

J19A6320 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

2) Rosy-faced lovebird. 

 

Around every day but not at all obliging

[Tdgraves]

Upper Auob, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, 22/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 10000, f5.6, 1/800

 

7T4A4252 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 1DX mark III, EF 200-400 f/4L, ISO 500, f5.6, 1/500

 

D14I3774 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

3) Ludwig's bustard

 

Around in the same spot near the dunes for a few days, but never in decent light

[Tdgraves]

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Stellenbosch, 28/1/23 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2000

 

7T4A6750 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

4) Swee waxbill

[Tdgraves]

We also saw an Eurasian golden oriole, but no chance for a photo. That should be it for the new ones, unless I get any surprises when editing the photos.

[Peter Connan]

Some really interesting birds there!

[pedro maia]

The first photo is a stunner!!

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @pedro maia and I was envious of the OH who had the better equipment that day….

[Tdgraves]

So I think that is the new ones done. As there is a lot of photo processing to do, I'll do the start and end of the trip first.

 

On the boundary of Barberspan Bird Sanctuary , South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/8000 (set for darker conditions!)

 

7T4A1513 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

5) Amur falcon

[Tdgraves]

Delareyville, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/640

 

7T4A1534 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

13/1/23, Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f5.6, 1/1000

 

7T4A1498 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

6) Southern masked weaver

[Tdgraves]

Delareyville, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/5000

 

7T4A1540 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

13/1/23, Canon 1DX mark III, EF 200-400 f/4L, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/2000

 

D14I0407 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7) Pied crow

[Tdgraves]

Delareyville, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1250, f5.6, 1/320

 

7T4A1517 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

8) Tawny-flanked prinia

[Tdgraves]

Delareyville, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/1000

 

7T4A1525 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

9) Crested barbet

[Tdgraves]

Although we arrived at the B&B in Upington at the earliest time ever, birding was not as good. Firstly it was 42 degrees, so I had to wait to go out, but mainly I was plagued with biting ants, little and large, as soon as I stopped walking and sometimes whilst walking . I managed a few though...

 

Upington, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/800, EV + 1 1/3

 

7T4A1552 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2000

 

7T4A1586 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Delareyville, 13/1/23, Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/2500

 

7T4A1511 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

10) Speckled pigeon

[Tdgraves]

Upington, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 1250, f7.1, 1/3200

 

7T4A1575 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

11) Greater striped swallow

[Tdgraves]

Upington, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 3200, f5.6, 1/100

 

7T4A1579 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

12) Cape robin-chat

[Tdgraves]

Upington, South Africa, 14/1/23

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/640

 

7T4A1588 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

13) Karoo thrush