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Saturday, October 17, 2015

Critters en route

This week has been hectic, to say the least. Thanks to everyone who wished my MIL Godspeed for her cataract laser surgery. She's come through well and has to take care for the next week until we take her back to the city for her last check-up. More about it later. 

Of course, every trip and happening is a photo opportunity and I didn't waste it. 
Pigeons on top of the toll-gate administration building
Swallows' nest under a bridge over the N1 National Freeway between Johannesburg and Cape Town
These could be Lesser-striped or Greater-Striped Swallows building nests here. I've never stopped to check! 
There seemed to be a bit of military activity when we neared Bloemfontein. Grant pointed out a helicopter flying over the small mountain to our right; a Super Frelon

We also overtook a military truck transporting a boat from the SA Navy
Returning home, near to Marquard we had to slow down for a herd of cattle grazing on the side of the road. This is a normal occurrence! 
Earlier this week, Rina called me to photograph a moth in our entertainment area. It was sitting on the cord which opens and shuts the window blinds
On the golf course on Tuesday I snapped a pair of Indian Mynas strutting their stuff 


Comical birds


On Wednesday I posted about a White-backed Mousebird and its young spotted in our garden. Last Sunday I spent ages photographing another juvenile Mousebird; this time a Speckled Mousebird.
Speckled Mousebird juvenile


The Speckled Mousebird has an overall brown appearance, black face and black and white bill. This characteristic separates it from the other two mousebirds in the region. 
The Speckled Mousebird Juvenile is easily identified as it has a pale greenish white upper mandible and black lower mandible
The above image clearly shows the pale upper bill with a black lower bill


I'm linking my post to Saturday Critters with Eileen here


12 comments:

  1. First of all, I'm glad your MIL's surgery has gone well!! Holding good thoughts for her complete recovery! Wonderful bird captures for the day and such a variety!! I really enjoyed your pics!! Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!!

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  2. Lots of interesting sightings this week Jo! The little Mouse Bird is very cute. Glad to hear your MIL is doing well.

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  3. well I thnk we should sent you out often as you seem to ee a lot of birds. Love the close uups especially of the last 2 shots. Have a lovely weekend

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  4. You certainly saw a lot of critters when you were out and about this week! And it's good news that your mother-in-law's surgery is healing well.

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  5. Hello Jo, Great news on your MIL! Wonderful variety of birds and critters. There seems to be some big swallow nests under that bridge. My favorites are the cow, Mynas and the Mousebird. Great series of photos. Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend.

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  6. Thaat is a huge moth. The Indian Myner birds are a imported pest in our country. They attack our native birds.

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  7. Good news on the healing process, and what a lovely collection of critters!

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  8. that mousebird is just beautiful. and the funny bird is to... so glad MIL is doing well.

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  9. mynas are cute and mousebird is adorable. glad your mil did well!

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  10. Nice post - I think it was wise not to stop and identify those swallows!!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  11. Great shots, I've never heard of the mousebird before!
    ~

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  12. Look at all the swallows! And those Indian Mynas and Mousebird are great as well. Wonderful shots!

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