Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Kruger Park colourful birds #2

Watching Woodpigeons and Blackbirds digging in the snow out of my window now, but my head and heart are still in South Africa. Luckily those images keep the memories fresh and warm.

On February 16th we drove around Satara, to the south and to the east. We left very early, especially for big mammals. The plan worked well, and we saw some exciting stuff (more to follow), but here I will focus on the birds we saw during that day and also during my short drive out of the park to Orpen Gatecon the 17th. As always in Africa, the focus is on colourful, long-tailed birds.

Burchell's Starling is common but so pretty

Sound-recorded one as well:

Crested Barbet is super-charismatic too

Lilac-breasted Rollers are common and usually very photogenic. This time around I had less luck photographing them. Still this adult posed nicely:

 And this youngster too:


Southern Carmine Bee-eater - classic Africa

I love Hornbills, even if they don't have eyelashes. Here's a sweet pair of Red-billed Hornbills:


This Yellow-billed Hornbill was too close:


Three-banded Plover are neat waders:


Lots of raptors in Kruger Park. By far the commonest was Bateleur.


Brown Snake Eagle

My next post will be about vultures and cats - expect some action...

African White-backed vultures and a cat

On the way back to Johannesburg I bumped into some Abdim's Storks - very cool birds

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