No hanging around eyes peeled in search of birds, first up on top of an old tree trunk the African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) prominently on display, warming up for the day of poaching heron or stork birds prey, will do a bit of fishing too, sharing it's status alongside American Bald Eagle or Eurasian white-tailed eagle, none truly eagles, all old world birds.
Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus ), not a bird I have seen previously. Movement in the sky above is what caught our attention, stopping we watched graceful acrobatics above, could not alight the vehicle so stayed put! First the female landed she is only slightly bigger than the male, with all the antics second pole taken by the male, well that is my guess.
Now I did take a lot of photographs, notice the number on the electrical component, first has a number at the top, second pole a number at the bottom. Those talons go well with the named bird, enjoys snakes apparently Puff adder and cobra are two venomous snakes taken.
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), now this is a big wading bird in town. Attains a height of 150cm or five feet tall, with wingspan 270cm or 9 foot, impressive in size and stately elegance moving through the tall grasses.
Sidling through ever looking for a morsel a large bird would need some feeding!
2021 - short video of the birds with fledglings ready to move, normally 2 - 3.
Black-collared barbet (Lybius torquatus) we have them around gardens enjoying a stroll, I have never seen them preparing a nest, a couple of photographs to show you how it's done!
Knock, knock, knocking above my head....
Well what have we found the busy little fellow preparing for his future generation, nice piece of furniture!
Checking if all is ready, hang on there perhaps some more design required indoors....
Onlooker is an Ashy flycatcher or Blue-grey flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens) watching progress of above barbet with front row seating, they may use abandoned weavers nests for their raising of young.
Another visitor protecting his realm is the White-eared barbet (Stactolaema leucotis), three birds photography taken in a small clump of trees while walking around the gardens when we were away on holiday.
Late afternoon walk was most rewarding right on our doorstep in St. Lucia town gardens.
Thanks for visiting and joining in bird life wherever you live in the world. Walk for health and in order to find excellent photography sometimes big surprises right under our nose.
All photography is my own. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer and bird watcher, keep smiling!
**Additional Information: African fish eagle
Saddle-billed Storks - Brown Snake Eagle - General
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Thought for Today: "A bird that flies off the Earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground." - South African Proverb
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