Love On High

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Playing Tootsies In The Sky

A bird I have never seen before, except via photography shared by papilloncharity@papilloncharity the African harrier-hawk was a total first for me cruising over head at ten this morning.

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Yes, excited by the sighting, then doubly excited by what happened right before my eyes, appreciating love dance on high for close on ten minutes, front row seat with no one else to enjoy except Woody sniffing the ground, he seldom looks up!

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Here goes my amateur shots, now regretting not switching to higher ISO, something learned just a couple of days ago.

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In for a penny in for a pound, I tried a short video, alas big fail they move too quickly for my eye/hand coordination.

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Coming out a tumble with talons out

Back to the gymnogene, or harrier hawk, or African harrier-hawk recognized by all three names, plus official identification Polyboroides typus. Glancing up I thought, that face is familiar, single band on the tail, yes Stephen/Zac I do absorb informational learning online!

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First one then two.... Soaring in unison, one suddenly diving the other flipping over in what appeared mock fighting, _well now we got the story straight with good old google. Apparently they play a tootsies game on high, he dives down to tickle her back she flips over and talons touch, all in the name of love and courtship.

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Eventually still trying to contain my excitement, photographed two woolly-necked storks going in the opposite direction over the tree a couple of minutes later, reminder to self, have never seen their love dance either.

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Woolly-necked stork - (Ciconiidae)

Spring is on our doorstep the birds are busy building, rounding up females and starting the next cycle in life.

Huge thank you Feathered Friends Community and melinda010100@melinda010100

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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!

Thought for Today: "What the eye has seen, the heart never forgets." - African Proverb

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by barbara-orenya@barbara-orenya

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Love On High | Ecency