African Feathers~

May30

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Rainbow flashes,
(Lilac Breasted Roller)

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glimpsed in lakes and trees.
(Egyptian Geese)

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Raucous birdsong,
(Superb Starling)
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wakes you at dawn.
(Southern Yellow Billed Hornbill)

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Bateleur Eagle’s walk down the road,

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and Giant Kingfisher’s get ready to strike.

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Another glorious day,
(Crested Barbet)
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in the African bush!
(Cape Glossy Starling)
Cheers to you from South Africa’s incredible wild birds~

215 thoughts on “African Feathers~”

    • Aren’t they amazing. Africa is like Canada, an unfair advantage for photographers! 😉
      I’ve been having a whirl in London. Got all my hair cut off at a barbers, which was really fun. Looks terrible. So severe. And I am photographing a family of foxes, two kits, two adults, right in central London. Our hotel looks upon a garden owned by some Duke of Something. Today the magpies were playing with the kits. Lots of chasing and squawking. Remarkable! The window in my hotel only opens about 6 inches, so I’ve been balancing the telephoto in the opening, trying to get decent angles. Wildlife is everywhere! Saw the Egyptian Geese at St James Park. That was surreal. I said to them, weren’t you guys just in Africa????

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  7. Magnificent feathers and glorious colors! I remember the Kingfisher but while I saw Eagles, I not think I ever spotted this majestic colorful one. Wonderful pictures, Cindy!

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    • I had trouble with the fishing eagles. The best day shooting a pair of them my good camera’s len malfunctioned and I was in a bird hide and forced to shoot against the sun. The bush dust and grit and heavy use was hard on my camera and my back up was old and heavily used. I have some not good pics of Verreaux’s Eagle Owls. Huge and amazing owls. I got some not so good shots of Tawny Eagles. Absolutely amazing raptors in Africa!

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  13. What a brilliant capture of the Bateleur Eagle… I’ve been trying to get one like that for years, actually I’m jealous, you come to my country and get better captures than I do…I love all your photos, pure brilliance… Hope you have many more captures to share…
    We are going to my favourite place next month (Kalahari Gemsbok Park) for a week… plenty to capture there including the Bateleur, hope I get one as good as yours…
    When do you return and leave my beautiful country…??

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    • Ahhhh, so pleased you felt I did your spectacular country justice. We are in London preparing to fly home. I miss Kruger already. Have a wonderful time in the Kalahari and hoping you see a Bateleur. This guy was just walking down the dirt road!!

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  19. All of these birds are so pretty, fascinating and strange, too. I loved the first Lilac breasted roller bird and the Superb Starling. You are so wonderful for letting us go along with you to South Africa to go birdwatching, Cindy! xo

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    • Yes I can completely relate! Be careful or you’ll be going back, like I did, and maybe will again. My camera broke towards the end and I had to use a back up, I missed some shots I’d like a chance to recapture~ 😉

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  25. What a joy to see your vivid portraits of some of my favorite African friends, Cindy! Have never seen the Bateleur so close up (they’re usually so high up in the sky), so this was a very special treat. Delightful! 😀

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    • The Bateleur was amazing. Got three pics of him walking and then flying at close range. He seemed unconcerned with our presence. We were the only ones on a lonely dirt road and there he was. We saw a leopard too, sleeping in a tree!

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  29. Cindy – You never cease to dazzle me with the beauty of your nature shots. I had a great deal of fun last night. I combined several of your blogs along with those of another photographer I admire greatly. I put your blogs together but as individual blogs, if that makes sense and good friends plus Tom and I had the most magnificent art show last night. What beautiful photography from you both and any number of oohs and aughs! The photographers were indeed the heroes of the evening.
    Tom is worn out today and probably won’t make it out of bed today but it was worth every ounce he gave last night. The smiles were genuine and being able to hold hands and know he was happy was a miracle.

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  30. Oh my! I am touched beyond words Sheri and very, very pleased, especially that it may have made Tom happy. That makes my month! Please tell him so for me. And thank you my dear Sheri for doing and sharing such a wonderful thing with me my friend. Hugs & cheers to both of you! ❤ ❤

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  33. Birds are such colorful creatures. Perfect for photographing. I especially the love the barbet in blue and yellow. I’ve never heard of it before. I’m so impressed you were able to identify each one. I can barely do that in my Wisconsin backyard! Thanks, Cindy!

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  36. Woah, the Egyptian geese looks so pretty!
    (and they look like they use eye makeups like ancient Egyptian ladies did)
    LOL!!! 😀

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  38. WOW, such diversity in what I always think of as a spare and perhaps harsh climate. Obviously assumptions are a silly thing. That Hornbill guy looks serious about waking you up. Best not be a doddler, ha!

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    • You are thoughtful & kind and I appreciate your lovely comments. We do have incredible natural beauty on this planet and I enjoy emphasizing it. Thank you for noticing and appreciating!

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