For the majority of 2020, I wasn’t based here at Londolozi but rather back in my home town in Kwa Zulu-Natal. I had bought myself my first camera in December of the previous year and, amongst many other things, longed to get back to Londolozi in order to take advantage of all the fantastic photographic opportunities we have here. Locked down at home, with my new camera, and not much else to do I started to go for walks in the wildlife conservancy that backs onto my parents’ property. I’d pack my binoculars and camera and set off in search of whatever wildlife I could find.
Naturally, given I was in suburbia, my expectations weren’t exactly leopards and lions but instead the smaller creatures and critters of the area. I found my interest in butterflies grew tremendously and my already rather strong passion for birds was allowed to flourish during these walks. I started to photograph many of the things I came across, of which most were birds and, in the end, I developed a keen interest in photographing them.
Today, now back at Londolozi, birds still remain one of my favourite subjects to capture; the sheer variety in species, colours, habitats and behaviour of them has kept me enthralled and I have begun a mission to photograph as many species as possible.
This Woodland Kingfisher was perched on a dead tree stump alongside the road. We were en route to find a spot to enjoy an evening drink to watch the sunset but got distracted for a short while by this bird. Their long bills make them ideal candidates for silhouette photographs, just giving them more of an interesting shape.
The winter season aloes are in full bloom at Londolozi bringing in several different species of sunbirds. This Marico Sunbird is not all that common and after spotting one in the Varty car park a few days ago I returned that afternoon to see if I could get a photo of it.
A female Bateleur sits perched on an open branch with an overcast sky in the background, giving the photo a ‘high key’ effect.
Juvenile Bateleur can take up to eight years to get their adult plumage like the bird in the previous photo. The majority of Bateleurs we see therefore look like this one.
One of the first joys I found in photographing birds (and birding in general) is that it can take place anywhere. You do not necessarily need to find yourself in a protected game reserve. However, if you do, the viewing and photographing of birds can keep you entertained for ages between the sightings of the more traditionally sought after ‘big five’.
On this note, birding can take you to some interesting places that one wouldn’t necessarily go to if it wasn’t for the desire to tick off a rare species or photograph a particular species in their habitat. Since last year, I have found myself exploring some of the lesser-known parks, nature reserves and conservancies across the country; all with the desire to get some birding done.
Southern Ground Hornbills are always special to see. This one gave us a rather menacing look from the vantage point of a dead leadwood.
Searching for and ticking off bird species is one thing and can be rather challenging in and of itself. Photographing them is on a whole new level. They move quickly, can be extremely shy and elusive, are more often than not small and far away and can also sometimes be found in some challenging photographic environments – be it a dense forest, marshy swamp or many kilometres offshore.
Some of the more avid bird photographers – albeit with some bias – often use the phrase:
“If you can photograph birds, you can photograph anything”.
While this statement doesn’t necessarily always apply, I certainly have had times when I can relate to it.
This sighting still sits vividly in my memory. We watched two Knob-billed Ducks engage in an aggressive territorial fight. It took a while before one eventually backed down.
Several birds can easily catch the eye with their amazing plumage; especially in the summertime when local species don their breeding feathers and the migratory ones return from further north. The European Bee-eaters are certainly one of the more striking with their pastel shades of emerald, yellow and brown.
Having the correct equipment does help a great deal. A large lens of between 400mm to 800mm will do wonders for many of the birds’ environments; especially when in flight or in an open shoreline or marshy area. However, with that being said, carting around a large lens like this is not always the best. Forest birding for example doesn’t require as large a lens – the birds are generally closer and moving quickly so moving about in dense vegetation with a smaller lens is much easier.
Along with European Bee-eaters, Woodland Kingfishers are part of our avian summer decorations.
The ever-elusive Grey-headed Kingfisher. It took me years of searching before finally seeing this species for the first time.
A rather comical photo of a Brown Snake Eagle getting startled by a mobbing Drongo.
A very relaxed Tawny Eagle allowed us to sidle up alongside him and get a few close up shots. Eagle’s eyes are always a vital element of their expression and can set the mood of the photo when close like this.
This was another afternoon that I remember very clearly. We had been searching for the Ximungwe Female for the majority of the afternoon when finally these Guineafowls erupted into frantic alarm calls next to our vehicle. We couldn’t see what they had spotted but tracker Euce and I knew it was a good chance that it was her. Less than a minute after taking this photo, she strolled out of the thicket with her white-tipped tail raised as a signal of surrender to the persistent birds.
One of the most intriguing things about birds is their ability to fly. Why not try to capture it?
It’s fascinating what you are able to capture in birds. Just like larger mammals, birds have distinctive behavioural habits which, as a bird photographer, is the goal to capture. If you look closely enough you can read their facial expressions and body language, albeit a lot simpler than their mammal relatives. In addition to this, the varying colour and texture of their plumages are spectacular be it the electric blue of a woodland kingfisher or the decretive head feathers of a secretary bird; these elements make capturing a bird all the more rewarding.
I like to birdwatch kingfishers also here where I live there are magnificent ones. No other Eagle can compete with he Bateleur Eagle it’s a spectacular bird i was mesmerised by its courtship flights. I love Guineafowls too i find them so funny. Geese and ducks are my favourite so this picture is a masterwork in itself and a pleasure to see!
What a wonderful collection of bird photos! In the U.S cities we do not have the range of species you have. It seems to me that you have an incredible collection of beautifully birds, it to mention the variety of eagles . I always love spitting the. URSS when we are out on safari at Londolozi ! Thanks for sharing!! Victoria
It’s not my amateur attempts that frustrate my photos of birds, they just aren’t as “relaxed” around the vehicles so don’t linger long enough for me to get well positioned! LOL Well done Chris!!
I did the exact same thing this year during our viral waves and lockdowns! New camera for Christmas, and spent some time learning how to use it by photographing birds near me….including in my backyard and local parks! I definitely learned a bit about patience in setting up a shot, and some of their preflight behaviors too!
Stof such lekker pics , some awesome shots. Great to see a full on birding blog for a change, keep it up!!
Thanks so much Frank! Glad you enjoyed it.
Have been an avid birder/photographer for several years and agree with your sentiments… it is challenging and rewarding. The birds I have photographed in South Africa are among my favorite birds seen anywhere, and I look forward to more bird adventures when I return. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos
Chris your foto’s are beautiful and the birds are so full of color. Each one is different in stature and each one is significant in it’s own right. The sunbird has so many different colors and as does the bee-eater. The knob billed ducks were really going at each other. Kingfishers are also stunning in color. The snake eagle can’t believe what is happening to him so high up in the tree. Gorgeous foto’s thanks Chris.
Wonderful photos. Is there anything better than hearing and seeing a woodland kingfisher?
British Birds are amazing. Your African birds with their wonderful colours are a level above.
Great blog Chris. Birding can be a joy! For years while hiking or kayaking the camera and field guide always came along. One of the best memories I have (although the photos came out a bit blurry) was when an osprey dove into the water next to the kayak and came up with a fish. Suddenly a bald eagle comes out of the trees. They tussled causing the osprey to drop the fish, which the eagle caught and flew off with… Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos many of which I had previously favorited!
When I was fortunate to stay in Londolozi some years ago, one of the things I wrote in the guestbook upon leaving was “Came for the leopards; stayed for the birds.” Your wonderful photos remind me of that.
What a treat today! Once, we splurged and hired our own Rover there, so we could concentrate on birds. It was wonderful. I love that one birding tale: One birder was having a hard time getting his fellow birders on a sighting. There, there, he said…just to the right and up from that leopard’s tail. That’s us!
Fantastic bird photos, Chris! As you know, I am also very keen on watching birds and taking photos of them. And Londolozi is such a good place to do this.
Super impressive photos Chris! Gosh I would be so chuffed to even captured just one of them. As you rightly say, it’s extremely difficult capturing the perfect shot of a flighty, sometimes small bird, in dense foliage. I’ve always loved bird watching and now even more so, being away from the bush but, I have to say I’ve never mastered the art of getting the perfect shot. Fabulous..well done 🙏
Hope your family and friends in Kwa Zulu-Natal are safe!
Thank you Vin. A bit chaotic but thankfully we’re all safe.
Chris, thank you so much for sharing your joy of photographing birds. It is not a skill that comes easily as my bird photographer friends have told me. Patience and practice is key to success and fulfillment. It wasn’t until this last trip to SabiSand that I became more serious about looking for subjects to “shoot” and thanks to Kirst’s enthusiasm and coaching, I managed to get some good photos. So now it’s more fun to look for birds whether I’m holding a camera, or not.
Chris, It looks like your time at home learning how to take advantage of your new equipment paid off! Your bird images are just incredible and have inspired us to work on that while we are at home too!
Taken me a long time to get to this Chris, but have to say you sure did a great job of phographing birds – all excellent. You have some beautiful birds over there and thanks for sharing.