All birds on this page were again seen out birding for the day with Tim Cockcroft. The quality of the photos is not brilliant, but I have picked the better ones to add to the blog. Not only was I having a lot of problems with my lens not focussing at times, but many of the birds were also quite distant.
Grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola).
Long-tailed widowbird (Euplectes progne).
As above, female on the left.
Cape glossy starling (Lamprotornis nitens).
Jackal buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus)
As above.
Red-faced mousebird (Urocolius indicus)...
As above.
Trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator)...
As above...
As above.
Joining up with
and
I’ve never seen most of these, except for the first one. The widowbird is quite something. How does it manage to get around with those long feathers?
ReplyDeleteMarie the Widowbirds always fascinates me, flight never really looks that easy and especially on a windy day though they seem to manage. Thanks for the comment as always. Hope you have a good Sunday Diane
DeleteHi Diane - love them ... the widowbird is special, the thought of the Trumpeter Hornbill and that Cape Glossy starling with its eye - the one I can see! I hope the Nieu Bethesda post is coming up ... lovely ... just love Africa - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, the widow birds have always been one of my favourites and the starlings eyes are 'brilliant'. Sorry pressed the wrong button on the photodiary but the post went up about an hour later. Hope you have a good week Diane
DeleteOf course it is striking how the female and male widowbirds are so very different. Not just a few features, but almost everything - this while other species' males and females remain much the same. The Jackal Buzzard is very interesting as I had not heard of this one.
ReplyDeleteIt's very irritating when optics and cameras fail to perform. Best to get your lens checked out. We actually liked Lanzarote very much and went four years on the trot, despite the sometimes windy but still sunny days. But I can see how one bad experience would put someone off for good.
Hi Phil yes the widowbirds could not be more different, the male is very striking. Very best wishes Diane
DeleteBeautiful captures as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks Naalia, not always easy to get good photos but I hope these show off a bit of the beayty of South African birds. Have a good day Diane.
DeleteI am in LOVE with that widowbird!!
ReplyDeleteSorry for being tardy visiting today. Internet connection issues. Thanks for joining us at I'd Rather B Birdin
Anni the male is a beautiful bird, interesting the difference between the sexes. Keep well and good luck with you internet connection. Diane
DeleteWhat a great set of birds - all but one would be new for me!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Paris, France
Yes, if you have not been to Africa most of these you would not know. Cheers Diane
DeleteNice variety!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and the ccomment. Have a good day Diane
DeleteThose birds are amazing! Especially liked the Widowbird.
ReplyDeleteHi Kenneth, the widowbird is a very likable bird 😊 Thanks for the visit and the comment. Cheers Diane
DeleteLove the long-tailed widowbird!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, an interesting bird. Hope all is well Diane
DeleteJust got back to visiting blogs after losing my PC for a while. It went in for a larger disc drive and ended up with problems - now, hopefully resolved.
ReplyDeleteThese are some spectacular birds that you are showing us here.
Are you, by any chance, using a Nikon camera? If so, I think I may know what your problem was as I have on several occasions over the the years had a similar problem - camera sometimes won't focus or even operate, sometimes gives a black image, occasionally gives a clunk sound or shudder when shutter released. It tends to happen more in extremes of temperature - very hot or very cold. The problem, in my case, has been the electrical connection between the lens and the camera which is effected by a series of sprung pins on the lens, and the solution has always been simple - take the lens off the camera (preferably in a draught-free and dust-free environment) and with a lint-free cloth wipe and work the sprung pins on the lens mounting ring (to make sure that the pins are moving freely), and then wipe the corresponding plates on the camera body that the pins make contact with.
You'll probably now tell me that you don't use Nikon - in which case, I'm not sure if the same advice is relevant!
With my best wishes - - - Richard
My PC crashed out completly earlier in the year. Thankfuly I do back up often.
DeleteThink I explained the lens in my email, and yes I do use Nikon :-)
Very best wishes to you both, Diane