Zvezda & Alex Big Year 2016 - first attempt

[PeterHG]

Excellent collection @@xelas and more to come! Can't wait to get back there. I did see the Yellow-billed Oxpecker on a few occasions in the more northern parts of the Kruger NP, but to my recollection the Red- billed ones were more numerous then.

[xelas]

WALTER SISULU NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN / 06. 11. 2016

 

 

Our last day in South Africa ... for 2016. Again we were honoured to be accompanied and guided by @@Peter Connan ! This place is special even without birds, and there was much more awaiting for us beside birding ... but more about in forthcoming trip report.

 

422. Rattling Cisticola - Cisticola chiniana (very oof)

 

 

 

423. Hadeda Ibis - Bostrychia hagedash

 

 

 

424. Cape Robin-Chat - Cossypha caffra

 

 

 

425. Karoo Thrush - Turdus smithi

 

 

 

426. Kurrichane Thrush - Turdus libonyanus

 

 

 

427. Bar-throated Apalis - Apalis thoracica

 

 

 

428. Black-collared Barbet - Lybius torquatus

 

 

 

429. Cape White-eye - Zosterops capensis

 

 

[xelas]

WALTER SISULU NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN / 06. 11. 2016

 

 

430. African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis

 

female

 

male

 

 

431. Dideric Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx caprius

 

 

 

432. African Black Duck - Anas sparsa

 

 

 

433. Red-chested Cuckoo - Cuculus solitarius

 

 

 

 

434. Bronze Mannikin - Spermestes cucullatus

 

 

[xyz99]

Wow....you had so many great sightings!

 

That African Paradise Flycatcher is a beauty, but so are so many others.

[xelas]

That is all from this trip. The most prolific birding with 130 different birds in 2 weeks. Hope you have enjoyed them watching as much as we did!

[PeterHG]

Four cuckoo species, if I have counted correctly! You had two great weeks, with a lot of good birds and great photos @@xelas and Zvezda. Thanks for taking us with you on your trip and I hope you'll soon find an opportunity to go back to South Africa. Well, come to think of that, you may already have created such an opportunity...

[Peter Connan]

Why is it that, when i take you guys somewhere, you always see more species than i do, and take better photos too!

 

I am wondering who should be the guide next time...

 

 

 

 

?

Edited December 2, 2016 by Peter Connan

[xelas]

@@PeterHG

 

Happy that you have enjoyed in our SA birding. But not only birds were seen and photographed, so watch out for full trip report! And yes, there is one huge magnet that steers our travel compass needle south .

[xelas]

@@Peter Connan

It must be because you directs all your efforts so that your guests had the best of times! Yet I am assured you have plenty of fantastic photos to show us; and some from very different perspectives .

 

Edited December 2, 2016 by xelas

[Tdgraves]

@@xelas and @@Peter Connan no Verreaux's eagle???

[xelas]

@@Tdgraves

None. Only empty nest. Next time. One just cannot have them all !

 

Edited December 2, 2016 by xelas

[michael-ibk]

Wow, South Africa really delivered for you, Alex. Congratulations on getting past 400! Some superb photos here, I especially love the Pygmy Goose (jealous about seeing those), of course the Hoopoe, the Pygmy Kingfisher and the Painted Snipe. Well done, Zvezda, and I assume a fair number is shot by yourself as well?

 

Looking forward to the Kruger report - and our next GTG of course. :-)

[xelas]

@@michael-ibk

 

Thanks, Michael! Indeed some photos were taken also by myself, but for the ease of the process ... Now 400 is a huge number, yet once you will start sorting your latest birds, and posting them, maybe 500 will be where you will end ?!

[Chakra]

Northern Kruger birding is indeed prolific. And the lack of crowd is equally inviting. You are now in the Pro league !

[xelas]

@@Chakra imagine going to Kruger and Costa Rica in the same year . Now that would be playing in the Pro league !

[xyz99]

@@Chakra imagine going to Kruger and Costa Rica in the same year . Now that would be playing in the Pro league !

 

He-he, that would be fantastic!!!

We're going to CR in January...short trip, 1 week only, but better than nothing and I can't wait

[Chakra]

Add South Georgia and Papua New Guinea and you'll be untouchable :P

[xelas]

Add South Georgia and Papua New Guinea and you'll be untouchable :P

 

 

Well, Pantanal and/or Ecuador would be less expensive destination. Or Colombia. Or ....

[Chakra]

No my friend, I've got to see the mating dance of Birds of paradise ???

[Atdahl]

@@xelas, WOW! What a collection! Congrats on reaching 400 and with such style too.

 

Alan

[xelas]

@@Atdahl

 

Alan, thanks! 2017 will be much slower, but 2018 ....

[elefromoz]

Mr and Mrs@@xelas, as expected a beautiful collection of beautiful birds, you two are a great team. The Violet Backed Starling is a fave from me, what a unique colour, that flash of purple amongst the foliage must have been something. Nice photo of @@Peter Connan at work too.

[xelas]

Mr and Mrs@@xelas, as expected a beautiful collection of beautiful birds, you two are a great team. The Violet Backed Starling is a fave from me, what a unique colour, that flash of purple amongst the foliage must have been something. Nice photo of @@Peter Connan at work too.

 

 

Thanks! That is what we try to be: a great team!

[Geoff]

434!!! That is an amazing total. Congrats.

[TonyQ]

@@xelas

An amazing total for 2016! Really impressive throughout - congratulations to both of you. I have really enjoyed following your thread