When guest Ian Hall requested that we spent some time trying to photograph birds I was only too thrilled! Particularly interested in Kingfishers we decided to spend the morning at the causeway on the Sand River to test our luck. Now, I by no means have the correct equipment set up for true bird photography but we work with what we’ve got and occasionally come out with something worthwhile. We sat for quite some time and had some great sightings of Green-backed Heron, African Jacanas, Malachite Kingfishers, Common Sandpipers, White-breasted Cormorants, Black Crakes, Hamerkops, Wattled Lapwings and Pied Kingfishers.
However, the star of the show was undoubtedly the Giant Kingfisher who we watched for the most part of the morning while it hunted and then proceeded to finish off a tasty breakfast of Tilapia in front of us! The morning ended with an exciting visit from a Coqui Franklin as it popped its head out of the foliage. All in all it was a great morning of birding and proves once again that a little patience in the bush goes a long way. I hope you enjoy this selection of shots I managed to snap from the mornings endeavour.
A Green-backed Heron enjoys the morning sun from a granite boulder
An African Jacana feeds off some water foliage
A Pied Kingfisher hovers over the water in hopes of breakfast
A Giant Kingfisher about to take off
An unusual pairing of a Giant Kingfisher and White-breasted Cormorant perched in the morning sun
The sun catches a glint in the eye of the Giant Kingfisher
Gotcha!
Tactfully, the Kingfisher bashes the fish against a branch before swallowing it whole
A pair of Blacksmith Lapwings reflected in the Sand River
A Burchell’s Coucal perfectly poised on a Wild Date Palm in early morning light
Written and photographed by: Andrea Campbell
Great blog and wonderful photos Andrea! I especially like the Giant Kingfisher with the fish! I loved seeing all the different and very beautiful birds when we were at Londolozi…they are all so fascinating to watch.
Beautiful images.
Fantastic to see the Kingfisher with its catch and love the Jacana.
Just parking up and sitting in one spot – so under-rated! Thanks Andrea
There is nothing more rewarding than a “sit & wait” to see what bird arrives! Lovely pictures, thanks for sharing Andrea
It was a fantastic day. Many thanks Andrea!!!