Thanks to the generosity of several readers, we now have at least five future wildlife posts, and good ones, too. But I always need more, and we’d run out in a week if I posted one every day. So if you have good photos, please send them to me. Thanks!
Since today is the first Sunday since I’ve returned from South Africa, John Avise has contributed some of his favorite pictures of South African birds. His captions and IDs are indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
South African Montage
While PCC(E)’s safari to South Africa is still fresh in WEIT readers’ minds, I thought I would send in a batch of my own photos of some of the birds I encountered on a business trip that I took to that country in 2007. Most of these photos came from either the Cape Town area or from Kruger National Park. Jerry posted his own photos of several charismatic birds (such as Ostrichs, Vultures, Geese, Hornbills, and Quineafowl), but of course many other birds also inhabit this part of the world. So here I’m showing my best photos of several smaller but nonetheless enchanting South African birds.
African Hoopoe (Upupa africana):
Acacia Pied Barbet (Tricholaema leucomelas):
Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus):
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus):
Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus):
Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus):
Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris):
Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus afer):
Cape Sparrow (Passer melanurus):
Fiscal Flycatcher (Sigelus silens):
Grey-headed Bushshrike (Malaconotus blanchoti):
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis):
Spotted Prinia (Prinia maculosa):
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava):
White-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus):
White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala):
White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides):
Yellow-bellied Greenbul (Chlorocichla flaviventris):
Ah! I missed this series so much!
Wonderful – I like how the Kingfisher is Halcyon, for some inexplicable reason…
Stunning, thank you, John. The Blacksmith Lapwing is my favorite
Beautiful! I forward these to a birder friend every time.
Gorgeous photos, as always, John. Thanks.
Wow! What incredible photos. Thanks!
Lovely! Too many beautiful birds to even try to pick a favorite.
What a rich collection! Lovely all of them. My favorites are the two different kingfishers and the helmetshrike.
These are superbly composed and lighted, and you must have managed to get enviably close to capture so much detail.
In the pick-a-favorite sweepstakes, I’ll choose the Grey-headed Bushshrike for its golden eyes that match its golden breast feathers… although the White-fronted Bee-eater is a close second, and there should be a Christmas ornament in its likeness.
Now we’re back in full swing. Lots of favorites here. I’m with Ruth’s picks and Janet’s. Thank you, John for the photos and thank you Jerry for this feature. Sundays are always special.
The New Zealand Bird of the Year was announced on Sunday. Photos of all contestants at https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/
The top 10 were – (Jerry’s favorite (and mine) only came in at 5 although has won previously)
Hoiho yellow-eyed penguin (6328)
Karure Chatham Island black robin (5442)
Kākāpō (4548)
Ruru morepork (4467)
Kea (4206)
Pīwakawaka fantail (4205)
Takahē (3892)
Tawaki piki toka eastern rockhopper penguin (3834)
Kōkako (3445)
Toroa Antipodean albatross (3415)