First up is this Cape Robin-chat (Cossypha natalensis), as he landed in the bright sunlight.
So, it was just to open the study window silently, and to allow my camera to do its thing. As usual I was happy with the results after I downloaded the shots on my PC, and I posted the shots now untouched. I have several feathered species in here for you to enjoy, and for a change I did not have to hunt for the shots, as they all presented themselves to my view. No effort and the worst that could happen was that I could spill some hot coffee on my lap :)
When a robin flips its tail like this, then one can know that there is a female around somewhere, and sadly I could not see her.
A real handsome cutie that any female will fall for, but I think Robbie is married, and it's time for mating :)
Below, I saw the Red-eyed doves (Streptopelia semitorquata) landing on top of a tree across the road, and as I lined them up with the camera, the one took off.
Now what have we here? Maybe a bird that wants to be a model? :)
As we pulled our car out to go to the shop, this juvenile Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus) was eyeing me on the sidewalk of our neighbor's house.
So, it was easy to roll the car slowly forward, and to ask the missus to lower her car door's window. Then, I snapped it as the car came very slow alongside it in the road.
I heard the Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris), and at first couldn't see it. They normally hunt for worms under the fallen leaves in the gutters of the road. But not this one, as it was a first for me to see one between the thorns of an Acacia tree.
A stray dog, or some other kind of predator must have scared it.
Then as we were finally on the way, I saw the Redwing Starlings (Onychognathus morio) sitting on a high lamp post.
All of this within an hour, and I think that all of the birds were out to enjoy the sunny day, as the poor things suffered during the dark storms that we had recently. We are just happy that they all have survived the storms, and it is solid evidence that Mother nature looks after her wild residents. But in fact, not all is well, as we also have bird species that are threatened with extinction. For several reasons, but mostly due to the loss of their habitats.
Although an ever-growing list of species is exciting for birders, we should not lose sight of the fact that worldwide, increasing numbers of birds are becoming of conservation concern. The fates of threatened birds are tracked by BirdLife International and the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) which jointly produce the global Red Data list for birds.
Source: Book: Birds of Southern Africa. ISBN: 978-1-77584-668-0.
Maybe I should just say here, such is life.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge Camera.
Until next time, cheers!
