Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer
When I first began photographing birds ten years ago, I used a P&S Camera held to a birding scope, a process known as digiscoping. There were many inherent problems in working with equipment in a way it was not designed for but I remember it as being very exciting to think about how to overcome these obstacles.
This is one of my favorite images using that process, a Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer, which is standing on a flower called a Protea. Both the bird and the flower are endemic to the Cape Region of South Africa, the southern tip of the continent of Africa.Although it has a limited breeding area, it is not uncommon there and Birdlife International lists it as a species of Least Concern.
 Cape Sugarbird female, Promerops cafer |
 Cape Sugarbird, Promerops cafer |
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Water Thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
Found in Southern Africa, not surprisingly near water, the Water Thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus, was known as the Water Dikkop or Waterdikkop from the Afrikaans. It is a bird of beautifuly fine markings.
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Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens
The Fiscal Flycatcher, Sigelus silens is a member of the Old World Flycatchers and is commonly found in open woodland. It is a resident in southern Africa in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland.
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Green Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
The Green Woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus, is a common bird of the woodlands of southern Africa. They can be found in groups with only one breeding pair, and are loud and conspicuous.
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White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (with Cape Petrel in background)
The White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis, has almost entirely dark plumage except for the underside wing edge and a variable amount under the chin. It ranges the southern oceans with a preference for offshore waters near the continental shelves.
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Cape Petrel, Daption capense
The Cape Petrel, Daption capense, is one of the most distinctively plumaged of the Petrel family. They have also been known as the Pintato Petrel. They breed and roam widely in the southern oceans.
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The Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta, is a mid size species which breeds in the Australia and New Zealand areas and travels about the southern oceans. It was recently part of a split into three species, foremerly being grouped with Salvin’s and Chatham Albatross.
It is very commonly seen on the pelagics run out of South Africa.
For an ARKive video of this species click on the following link:
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This is a protected area of coastal dunes, and Lowland Fynbos. On the way, we stopped at Sir Lowrey’s Pass where we saw the fabulous Cape Rockjumper. We missed the other target endemic, Victorin’s Warbler, which had gone quiet.
In the farmlands leading to the reserve we saw Clapper Lark and the recently split Algulhas Long Billed Lark. Groups of Blue Crane could be seen in the fields, and a Lanner Falcon made a flyby.
Near the entrance to the reserve, a group of Wattled Starlings was found near a colony of Red Bishops. Both the Greater and Lesser Honeyguides were also in the area, and it was a special treat to see a Cape Griffon soaring overhead. Cape Mountain Zebra may be seen.
Common Fiscals were easily found in the Reserve, as well as a long distance view of a displaying Stanley’s Bustard. A Hoopoe wandered through one of the picnic area, and it was interesting to see the darker brown plumage of this race compared to the European race. It has been treated as a seperate species, and may be again.
Several hours of driving up the South coast brings you to the Knysna and Wilderness areas. During the
drive, which comes out of Sir Lowry pass into a vast plain, you will find such species as the Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird, and the African Stonechat, which has been split from the Eurasian Stonechat species. Knysna and Wilderness are both holiday areas, boasting an assortment of beaches and good restaurants. (more…)
When there are a lot of birds around, it is hard to imagine a more exciting experience than a seabird trip. Based on this, the trip from Capetown is in the running for world’s best. At it’s peak, we had thousands of seabirds in view, including perhaps a hundred of Shy Albatross. While the Shy was the most numerous of the Albatross, they were joined by the Black-Browed, and both of the distinct races of the Yellow Nosed. Later there was great excitement when a “Northern” Royal Albatross was spotted. (more…)
