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Sunday 26 January 2020

Still in the North-East of South Africa.

Southern yellow-billed hornbill (Tockus leucomelas).

Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus), a young eagle still with brown feathers.

Southern Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis).

As above.

Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola).  Birds wintering in S Africa originate from Eastern Europe.

The purple-crested turaco (Tauraco porphyreolophus), very beautiful with crimson flight feathers...

Also very difficult to photograph, they are masters at hiding in the trees.

I  brightened this photo quite a lot to try and bring the colours out.  Look closely and you can see a tinge of red flight feather in the wing behind the branch.

Dark-capped bulbul or Common bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor).

Saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis).

Black-collared barbet (Lybius torquatus).


Joining up with


and

19 comments:

  1. I love these posts. I see birds I would never see otherwise.

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    1. South Africa has some interesting birds. When I first moved to Europe I was disappointed in the bird life but I have learnt that there are some pretty spectacular birds here as well. Have a great week Diane

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  2. Hi Diane - they are just brilliant photos - loved the blue waxwing, the purple crested turaco, the bataleur ... and the others - amazing to see: thank you - cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary the Turaco is spectacular but I struggled to get good photos of them. I do not remember the Blue waxwings when we lived there so I was delighted to get photos this visit though they are not brilliant. Have a good week,cheers Diane

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  3. Spectacular birding! Even the one that looks sort of familiar is exotic . (The saddlebeaked stork looks a little like Florida’s Wood Stork, which we see often. But yours is so much more colorful. I really enjoyed this virtual birding.

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    1. I agree Sallie virtual birding is extremely interesting. I just wish we could travel in more, but we are lucky that blogging now exists. Hope you have a good week Diane

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  4. Those Saddle-billed Storks look really weird with their multi-coloured bill and red on the legs. It's a very different adaptation that I cant fathom. Perhaps to do with display in the breeding season?

    I don't envy anyone trying to get photos of birds that spend all their time in dappled light in the tree canopy. Very difficult.

    Looks like we are in for cold and possible snow this week.

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    1. Phil so far as I know the red colouring in the adult Saddle-billed storks is the same all year round thought the colouring might darken during the breeding season. The only difference between them is the female has a yellow eye, while the male has a brown eye.

      You are welcome to the snow, it is just raining here and looks like it is set in for the rest of this week.

      Keep warm Diane

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    2. I forgot to add they are the tallest stork in the world but not the heaviest. D

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  5. More amazing birds, Diane, and great photos. I don't think I've ever before seen an image of the Saddle-billed Stork, otherwise I'm sure I would have remembered it - truly spectacular. That Hornbill is magnificent too.

    My very best wishes - - - - Richard

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    1. Thanks Richard, I just wish the photos were all a little sharper, I have still done nothing with the lens as I do not know what to do. At home now I get some good shots, then at other times they are dreadful and it will not focus. Very frustrating. The Saddle-billed Stork is quite spectacular.

      Keep well and both of you take care, Diane

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  6. Awesome sightings and great captures!

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    1. Thank you for the comment always appreciated. Have a good week Diane

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  7. Great posts and it brought back many memories of when I was in Africa. Thanks

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    1. Memories of Africa are always good. Once you have been there you never forget. Keep well, Diane

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  8. All these birds are so unique! I would love to travel and see every one of them. Thanks so much for taking time to link up with us at I'd Rather B Birdin

    ~Anni

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    1. Thanks Anni for hosting I'd Rather B Birdin, it is great that we can see birds form around the world that we would never see otherwise. Cheers Diane

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  9. betty-NZ31 January 2020 at 11:39
    My, goodness, these are some wonderfully unusual creatures! I love the variety of their beaks and colors a lot :)


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    1. Hi Betty and thanks for your comment. I have re published it as I do not add links to my comments, sorry. Hope ypu have a good day Diane

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