Third time lucky? Peter Connan's year.

[Peter Connan]

184) Marsh Owl (some more horrible pictures:

 

 

Vlei-uil Asio capensis

 

Rietvlei, 25 June

[Peter Connan]

185) Wattled Lapwing:

 

Lelkiewiet Vanellus senegallus

 

25 June, Rietvlei

[michael-ibk]

You´re back in force! Reall like the Lapwing shot.

[Peter Connan]

186) Pied Crow:

 

 

 

Witborskraai Corvus albus

 

Rietvlei, 25 June

[Peter Connan]

187) Black-collared Barbet:

 

Rooikophoutkapper Lybius torquatus

 

25 June, Rietvlei

 

[Peter Connan]

More bad photography:

188) Half-collared Kingfisher:

 

 

Blouvisvanger Alcedo semitorquata

 

Rietvlei, 25 June

[Peter Connan]

189) Black-chested Prinia:

 

Swartbandlangstertjie Prinia flavicans

 

25 June, Rietvlei

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@michael-ibk.

 

Unfortunately, I am still behind, And with no further trips planned for the year, I suspect I am in trouble.

 

The only thing in my favor is that it's winter here now, which means that summer will return before the end of the year, and with it all the migrants. Maybe I can catch a few.

 

However, when you consider that my total bird list is only 257 species now, and that all these birds were taken in just one country,I think I have done OK.

[michael-ibk]

257 is the number of all the birds you have seen in South Africa ever? Then 189 in half a year is pretty brilliant, I´d say - you´ve been working hard.

[dlo]

Great Hoopoe shot @@Peter Connan and I'd say 189 in one year is pretty amazing! If I do a Kenya report later this year I will try hard to be a lot better with my Id's but I will surely need some help with that. I would be quite happy with 50 species though and I'm sure I will get no where near the numbers the big year participants are getting.

[Tdgraves]

Thank you @@michael-ibk

 

However, when you consider that my total bird list is only 257 species now, and that all these birds were taken in just one country,I think I have done OK.

@@Peter Connan wow - that makes our 251 look excellent. I wonder what it would be if we had paid more attention on our first few safaris?

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@michael-ibk, @@dlo and @@Tdgraves.

 

I think the the fact that my life total is only 257 is an indication of how many opportunities I have squandered, and perhaps also how bad I am at LBJ ID, rather than an indication of what is available here...

Edited July 4, 2016 by Peter Connan

[TonyQ]

@@Peter Connan

Great to see more South African birds.

I am very impressed you have 189 in one country already. And I love your photos - tha Black Collared Barbet is a very striking bird.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @@TonyQ

[Tdgraves]

Should say that the 251 is South African birds....

[xelas]

Et tu, @@Peter Connan ?! That was one very productive visit to Rietvlei. On your own or in a company? I wish you will do several more weekend trips, and will reach 200 soon!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @@xelas. I was in company with a friend and his young cousin, a photography student.

[Peter Connan]

Just a few doubles...

 

Bokmakierie

 

Hadeda Ibis:

 

Sacred Ibis:

 

Longclaw:

 

Ostrich:

 

 

Glossy Starling:

 

Pied Starling:

 

 

Edited July 5, 2016 by Peter Connan

[PeterHG]

@@Peter Connan

I love those 'doubles' you posted, especially the close-ups of the Ostrich. Impressive toe!

[michael-ibk]

+ 1. Photos like this clearly demonstrate that birds and Veloceraptors are not that far apart indeed.

[TonyQ]

And I really like the Pied Starling shot.

[dlo]

Some real beauties there Peter.

[Atdahl]

@@Peter Connan, more impressive shots. That claw closeup is fantastic! Also, 251 birds in a country the size of SA is fantastic.

[Peter Connan]

Thanks everyone.

[Peter Connan]

On the first weekend in August, I went on a 4x4 trip with some friends. We followed the course of the Klein Letaba river from the town of Giyani to the fence of the Kruger National Park, then drove a couple of km up-river, where we exited the river-bed. From there we drove 30-odd km north, and then entered the Molotots river at it's confluence with the Groot Letaba. We then followed the Molotots back west 100km or so before going home.

 

The area is "trust land", IE it is farmed but is not divided into farms. The river-beds are being destroyed by the local populace, but there are still beautiful sections. Unfortunately the birds are extremely shy. I suspect the locals catch anything they can, especially since their cattle are in an extremely bad state due to the drought, and we found several cattle carcasses.

 

Fortunately, I did find some new species. So, starting with the worst photos first:

 

190) Southern Boubou:

 

Tropiese Waterfiskaal Laniarius ferrugineus