Finally, this post completes my backlog and brings me up to date.
I was able to get out for just 2-hours with The Beast on a tranquil winter morning that was very gloomy to start, but the sun burned off the low cloud and fog by the time I had to leave - nevertheless, it was still enjoyable.
A Daurian Shrike was reluctant to leave it's perch in the damp cold
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| Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) |
as was this Common Starling that was feasting on a discarded corn cob
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| Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) |
I found a male Desert Wheatear and with patience it eventually did come close enough to have its picture taken
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| Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti) |
Driving on a cut road through one of the fields I flushed a Red-spotted Bluethroat that then proved to be quite obliging as it sat in front of me preening the water droplets off its feathers
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| Red-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinis luscinia) |
A juvenile Black Kite was also reluctant to fly in the morning coolness
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| Black Kite (Milvus migrans) |
Not so with an adult Eastern Imperial Eagle and this Greater Spotted Eagle, who was a lot more skittish and didnt allow me to get very close
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| Adult Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) |
A few Namaqua Doves were seen, here a male and juvenile
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| Male Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) |
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| Juvenile Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) |
I checked the spot where I had seen Buff-bellied Pipit last year and sure enough there was a single bird present this year, but unfortunatley not at all cooperative for an image, even a record image.
White Wagtails are still seen at most locations in large numbers, as I had to call it a morning just as the light was really improving
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| White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) |
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