RIETVLEI NATURE RESERVE *

[steamtrainfan]

A MORNING VISIT SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2013 06:00 - 12:00

This morning started off all overcast then cleared for about an hour and then clouded up again. Not too easy for good shots. Herewith a selection of 10 out of the 40 to be posted.








This little Black Backed Jackal put on a nice early morning show for us.


Then we came across thos group of three whe were very shy but forunately Joan managd to squeeze off one shot.


Sorry about the flower in his nose but this our first sighting of a wildebbeest in Rietvlei.


And a blesbok nearby.


This guy was struggling to stay on board his free ride.


Aaaah, now thats much better!!!


Another first for us - a springbuck.

More to follow.

[steamtrainfan]

Thanks very much R.P.

HI Flutterby. We have been very lucky in that we have seen jackal every time but this is the first time that one has actually posed for us. Normally they are so shy and dash off into the long grass before one gets near enough to get a good shot.

Here are some more from Saturday morning.


A White-fronted Bee-eater.


The same one with a meal.


And now with a friend. Can anyone ID the friend please?


And now another view.


A European Bee-eater.


I have ID these from my Roberts that they are Barn Swallows????????


A Black Shouldered Kite. Joan could not resist taking this shot as he was in such a lovley position but the sun had disappeared behind low clouds.


This one I could not get an ID from Roberts - there are too many that look alike.


To me, this looks like a Southern Red Bishop??????


Could this be two more S.R.B's.

Final pics to follow.

[Dewi]

Great couple of posts STF.

We always see Jackal in the reserve, but they are always shy and never stopped to pose for us like this one did for you.

Nice bird pics. Especially like the Kite on it's perch.

The "friend" looks like a young Yellow Canary maybe?

The Cisticola is a Levaillant's.

Agree on your Bishops.

[steamtrainfan]

Here are Joans third lot of pics for Saturday 16 March 2013.

While travelling along we heard a major row of birds screeching. We saw two guinea fowl chasing a secretary bird in thick grass. The SB tried to remain aloof to all this pestering but eventually walked away and crossed the road in front of us.






Long Tailed Widow Bird.


Another Egret hitching a ride.


Another L.B.J. I am afraid. Can anyone ID?


This Pin-tailed Whydah was getting ready to put on an aerial display for us which was truly fantastic to watch.


First he had to ruffle his feathers to get them all smooth and ready for take off.


We have a lift off.


A bit of a tail drag slowed him down.


Slow and low flypast.


High speed flypast looking sleek and trim.

The final few to follow.

[steamtrainfan]

Here are the last few of Joans pics for Saturday 16 February 2013.


This guy was so close we could hear him munching on the grass.


A shot of the above rhino taken with a littel mik en druk.


Long-tailed Widowbird.


Hard to tell which Bishop this is??????


Rufous-naped Lark.


The RNL giving us a song.


Another lovely songster - Cape Longclaw.


Cape Longclaw taken during interval.


Can this be a Red-collared Widowbird or juvenile Long-tailed????

That is all for now folks.

Not too shabby for about 6 hours viewing time.

Thanks very much for watching.

[Amoli]

If I look at the markings on the wings,
I would guess a Long-tailed Widowbird.

But them that know, will be round soon... -O -O

Can this be a Red-collared Widowbird or juvenile Long-tailed????

.

[steamtrainfan]

Thanks very much F.B., R.P., nan and Amoli.

WE went in again on Saturday 23 February until 12:00. Herewith a 40 picture photographic story. Three firsts today: Fish Eagle, Buffalo and Brown Snake Eagle.

Once again we were very fortunate to encounter a group of 4 jackal but only this one stayed around to be photographed.
















A Rufus Naped Lark showing off.




11 to 20 to follow.

[Dewi]

Beautiful photos again STF.

Love your Lark shots.

Amoli got the Widowbird correct - red & white flash on the wings.

The Bishop is Southern Red.

Can't wait to see the other pics you took.

[steamtrainfan]

Thanks for all the comments and . Joan and I do so enjoy reading your comments.

Some more from 23 February.

Southern Red Bishop.


I can only remember this one being called a butcher bird.


Our first fish eagle at Island View Hide. Unfortunately he was facing the wrong way.








Our first buffalo sighting. A lone bull with a humungus set of horns.


Please ID this handsome fellow.


Pin-tailed Whydah.




Coming up next. A series of photos showing a brown snake eagle flying, coming in to land on a branch and then eating the snake it had caught. The photos are a bit fuzzy as it was now close to midday and the light was shocking.

[Flutterby]

Your butcher bird is a Fiscal Shrike, and the handsome fellow is a Stonechat.

Nice buff sighting!