On Saturday 7 February I took a trip to Northern Farm. This is a working farm that is open to the public at weekends. Many, many cyclists use the tracks.
It is situated just West of Diepsloot on the R114 and at the moment is a little difficult to find because the R114 is being completely rebuilt. I managed to drive past and had to double back to find the entrance which is just to the west of where the R114 crosses over the N14.
My first tip is to ask at the office for a map and for the combinations to the hides.
There are two hides on the property but I only found one of them (because I didn't have a map) and I couldn't access it (because I didn't have the combination).
The farm is huge, it goes from the point where the R114 crosses the N14 almost to the end of the runway at Lanseria Airport. There are many tracks and quite a few dams which you can get very close to - if you can't get close in your car, you can get out and walk.
There are plenty of birds to be seen but I would consider it a bird-spotter's venue rather than a bird-photographer's venue. I did manage to get some interesting pictures but most of them were at extreme range even for my 150-600mm lens.
Reed Cormorant.
Palm Swift.
Red Bishops.
Lesser Striped Swallow.
Glossy Ibis (didn't see any on the ground).
Wandering Glider Dragonfly.
Redknobbed Coot.
Blackheaded Heron.
LBJ. (Lis : that means Little Brown Job)
Amur Falcon.
Steppe Buzzard (I think).
Yellowbilled Kite.
Greater Kestrel.
Northern Farm
Northern Farm
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Northern Farm
The Palm-swift is a very cool capture. High up but you managed to get it
Nice falcon photos, too and even a dragonfly close-up
Nice falcon photos, too and even a dragonfly close-up
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Re: Northern Farm
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- Richprins
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Re: Northern Farm
Fascinating, BT!
Never seen a palm swift...and glossy ibis!
Did you cycle?
Never seen a palm swift...and glossy ibis!
Did you cycle?
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Re: Northern Farm
I'm very pleased with the new lens, it really is a step up from my last one.Flutterby wrote:Lovely pics! You are certainly putting your new lens through its paces!
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Northern Farm
The Palm Swift picture is heavily cropped but still pretty clearToko wrote: The Palm-swift is a very cool capture. High up but you managed to get it
Nice falcon photos, too and even a dragonfly close-up
Plenty of raptors at NF. Dragonflies are easy with the big lens (at least they are in focus now).
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Northern Farm
Lisbeth wrote:
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
Re: Northern Farm
Palm Swifts nest in the palms on the roundabout at Shingwedzi.Richprins wrote:Fascinating, BT!
Never seen a palm swift...and glossy ibis!
Did you cycle?
Not sure about Glossy Ibis in KNP, never seen one there.\
I leave that cycling stuff to my little brother.
Hunting cannot be considered a sport as all contestants in a sport should know they are playing the game!
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Re: Northern Farm
Aha! Then I've probably seen one!BluTuna wrote:[
Palm Swifts nest in the palms on the roundabout at Shingwedzi.
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