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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Birds in the Valley


 A cinnamon-chested bee-eater and her young fledgling on the wire outside our house. I just missed her hawking and feeding the baby

Eyeing this strange creature standing below the wire

One of the most rewarding aspects of life in Kimwarrer Valley, is the large variety of birds. Birds we've never seen before and birds who are still flummoxing us with their identity. We're woken in the morning by the Spotted Morning-Thrush, the Common Bulbul and a multitude of other swizzlers. I have not been able to photograph all of them yet, but am out there every day looking for the perfect shot.

The Crowned hornbill which I heard (and whose presence I investigated) in the garden yesterday
Yesterday I heard a squeaky call and went outside with my camera and binoculars. Imagine my surprise when I saw a large Crowned hornbill on the hibiscus bush making this sound. We have three different sunbirds in the garden and they not only differ from each other but from the ones we know in South Africa. Here we get the Hunter sunbird and the Bronze sunbird. Not sure of the third one - still trying to ID it. At night there are turacos, swallows who nest on the veranda and many birds which we can hear but haven't spotted yet. As Grant said the other evening while we sat in the dusk and listened to the sound of Africa, "This is so good for the soul" !

Thanks to all for your continued comments and visits to my blog. I seem to have a better connection here in my own home, but am not holding my breath! LOL. I have managed to visit a few blogs today and trust I'll soon get back into the swing of blog hopping again.

Bless you all!

13 comments:

  1. Hi Jo, WOW---those birds are neat... They are so different... How do you know the names??? I'd have to have a book to learn the new ones....

    Glad you have a fairly good connection there...

    Guess you have heard about the blizzard and ice storm in our country. About 8 states have been affected... Luckily, we are fine here right now...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. Jo,
    The birds are lovely but I love the Crowned Hornbill...just gorgeous!
    thanks for sharing such beauty :)

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  3. You do have a fascinating supply of birds! Great photos. Enjoyed seeing the hornbill in its natural habitat. I saw one in a zoo recently.

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  4. How enjoyable to learn new birds at your new home. I like Grant's comment. Hugs!

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  5. I KNEW all those stunning trees would create a haven for lots of visiting birds, but WOW! Aren't you just being thoroughly spoilt with the wide variety! Jo, it really must be akin to your own little spot in paradise. No wonder Grant commented that it's so good for the soul! I understand precisely what he means, as that's how I feel when I'm surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature and, as you say, there's little to compare with African sights and sounds! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this wonderful adventure with us.

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  6. PS Love the new header, Jo ;)

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  7. Jo, I wish you would join your bird posts to World Bird Wednesday. You can access it through the Logo on my sidebar. Up to now I have seen no African birds represented there and it would be nice to see more diversity.

    Hugs . . . Arija

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  8. I am sure that you will have your "perfect shot" one morning! It often happens when we are off guard and we are often too perfectionist...
    Your photos are very nice still, and yes it would have been brilliant to catch the crimson-breatsed bee-eater feeding her young. I am sure you will eventually. Have a good day.

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  9. What excellent birds you have there. It's great to see such variety.

    (the link from WWB appears to be broken Jo; got this via the comment section.)

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  10. Hi Jo!
    I don't think the link for your post connected properly on World Bird Wednesday. I wouldn't want anyone to miss your post, please try linking it up again!
    Springman
    ;-)WBW

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  11. Hi Jo and welcome to World Bird Wednesday! I love your blog and look forward to more posts from Africa.

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  12. Wonderfull fotos ,love much bougaivilliers, in my chilhood we have this wonderfull plants around garden, Best regard from Belgium; Louisette met zyn twee golden

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  13. Best regard to you and nice week end

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo