Black-headed heron

Black headed heron photographed near Sedgefield South Africa.

Sacred Ibis

Sacred Ibis grooming. Picture taken early morning, Sedgefield, South Africa.

Black-headed Heron

Building material for a new nest. Looking at the material, can this nest possibly be comfortable?

Black-headed Heron

Taken near Sedgefield, South Africa. Wish I could fly.!

African Purple Swamphen

As is evident from the first picture the Swamphen has a fairly formidable beak. Never realized it was quite as strong. The three pictures show the Swamphen approaching, biting through, and swimming away with a young, green reed. 

Black Headed Heron

It is a rainy day in Johannesburg, South Africa. Normally we do not get rain during early August, the middle of winter. A good time to sit down and scroll through my saved photos. Came across this one of a Black Headed Heron. Should actually be working on an assignment. Amazing how one find all kinds of things that needs doing when an assignment becomes due.    

Black-headed Heron

Black-headed Heron with yellow eyes indicating that this picture was not taken in the breeding season. Their eyes turn red during the breeding season. Fortunately it does not work like that for most other species, that could be scary. Photo taken near Knysna, South Cape, South Africa.

Flamingo

Referring to my previous post, my neck is now much better. A quick visit to the physio was all that was needed. 

Flamingo

It is fortunate that you can't see me. I have a neck similar to that of a flamingo. I tried this same move this morning, and now my neck hurts. Ouch! I took this picture early this morning at the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary. There are about six hides at the sanctuary. It comes down to the luck of the draw. You never know when the birds will be doing what at which hide.  

Cape Cormorant

Cape Cormorant - at the dentist, South Cape, South Africa

Black Headed Heron

Guess who won the discussion on who should be sitting at the top of the tree?

Black Headed Heron

There are many trees around, but only one tree on the little island in the middle of the dam. The perch at the top of this tree belongs to the top bird. There is always competition for the honor. This time the Black Headed Heron won.

Coot building nest

I photographed this Coot building a nest near Sedgefield, South Africa. Its chick is growing up fast and it must be preparing for the next breeding season. The chick is still young and dependant on its mother. When eating etc. it learns by imitating its mother. It watched its mother building and would then go to the nest and also start 'building' while the mother was away gathering building material. The photo of the mother (above) was taken a few days after the picture of the chick. The original photo of the mother, taken at the same time as that of the chick, did not come out great. It is difficult to get detail into a picture of a black bird taken against a colourful background.

Coots are fairly common in all fresh water dams, swamps and lakes. They are aggressive and will chase away much bigger birds that comes too close to it's nest. While building three Egyptian Geese started what appeared to be a fight close by. The Coot and her partner chased all three of them from the little dam. 

Flamingo

I photographed this flamingo at the Rondebult bird sanctuary near Germiston. I am for the most critical towards Government both local and national. But I have to say: Well done with Rondebult!

Visit the sites listed in my previous post. UJ's solar car has reached 100km/h on an overcast day. Well done.

Goliath Heron

Goliath Heron with lunch photographed in the Kruger National Park. The Goliath Heron is the biggest of all the herons.

African Spoonbill

Another picture of an African Spoonbill. I enjoyed the way that it was looking at me over its shoulder, as if to ask "what are you looking at?"

Lilac-breasted Roller

The lilac-breasted Roller must be one of south Africa's most beautiful birds. It perches conspicuously and is quite common in the northern parts of South Africa.  

Goliath Heron

The Egyptian Goose stood in what the Goliath Heron considered to be its spot. The confrontation lasted for about 5 minutes. The heron eventually browbeat the goose into submission. Size does matter.

Black Crake

This Black Crake was feeding near here I was sitting. I enjoyed the way that it would quietly lift the edges of the leaves of the water plants to see what is beneath.

Goliath Heron

The Goliath Heron is the world's largest heron. I photographed this one having a mid-morning snack. The Goliath Heron reaches a height of 150cm. The fish in this picture was about 25cm.