Rietvlei Nature Reserve through Greenies' Eyes

[Flutterby]

[Dewi]

Great pics STF.

The Starling is either dust bathing, or more likely "anting."

They let the ants swarm all over and use their formic acid as a type of insecticide to get rid of parasites. It is also believed to act as a suppliment to their own preen gland to help maintain their feathers in good condition.

While I'm on about ants here - the "Stonechats" are Anteating Chats.

[steamtrainfan]

Hi Dewi - thank you for all the very interesting information.

[Amoli]

How fortunate we are to have this reserve so nearby...

Travelling to Rietvlei in winter takes a wee bit longer than in summer.
Here are some pics filled with heavy mist..



This aloe at the entrance gate serves as a weather buro - currently very misty in the park



No raptors this morning



View from Island Bird Hide - what lies beyond the now and here, is unknown..

[Amoli]

Misty Black Shouldered Kite



and waterbuck...



and buffaloe...



Yippeeee... the sun is breaking through

[Amoli]

As you will see in my previous post how long the grass is at the moment.
Soon the reserve will start with the burning programme.

Is winter a time to give your cameras a rest. No, never - there are some wonderful birds during winter months and our animals don't fly away either.

Haven't seen the Springbuck all summer -



The black collared barbet is a first for me in Rietvlei



And a friendly African Grey Hornbill



Some elegant jewellery



and for fun a Sared Ibis.



and, of course. I would come back with some UNKNOWN birdies which I will put up on the ID thread...

That's all for now..

[Toko]

Well done with the Barbet, Amoli.

Some nice misty scenery photos

[Amoli]

Thanks Toko - it does have it's own beauty

[Flutterby]

Looks lovely in the mist! And you saw buffalo!!

[Lisbeth]

Wet, misty and misterious Is it cold too?

Nice barbet