Good afternoon Blogger friends. This week in South Africa has been freezing cold - 0 degrees Celsius to minus 5 and 6. That's cold for us warm blooded critters here in the Southern Hemisphere.
Today the weather has been peachy and sunny. As always Skabby and I had our walk. In fact he's been spoiled. On two occasions this week he and I have walked up to the farm turnoff to meet guests. Yes, we are up and open at the Bunker again and business is brisk. Thank goodness.
Back to our walk and the critters we encountered. I heard it before I saw it: a Blacksmith Plover. The name speaks for itself.
Blacksmith plover
Its open bill - even in the reflection - issuing metallic, pinging sounds
Walking back, I was on the lookout for good photos of the beautiful mountain peaks in the distance. And heard another bird call. I stopped to scan the paddock next to the road and zoomed in on this beauty...
After downloading the photos I realized it was very indistinct - the distance was too far that day. I have been watching for this little bird ever since, but it has disappeared! Apologies for the poor quality of the photo but I had to share it.
Closer by that day, I snapped a White-fronted Bee-eater
Back home, I rescued this critter from the wall above my bed...
...and tipped it out in the garden
And with further apologies to Sandra; on Friday as I closed the bathroom door, I saw this beauty on the wall. I opened the door for its protection. I'm not sure of Thandiwe's take on spiders.
Y'all know mine! **
Rain spider female hopefully announcing spring showers next month
**With my right hand place a drinking glass carefully over the spider. Using a piece of paper in left hand, I slide it between the glass and wall and with it covered, I have the glass in my hand, the spider generally at the bottom of the glass. As always I like to take a photo (as you see above) and then to avoid causing the spider any more stress, I tip it into the garden where it scuttles away to safety.
I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here
May you all have a wonderful weekend - keeping safe at the same time.
Love your critters.
ReplyDeleteIt has been chilly here in Australia too. Snow fell in my city , though it didn't stick and the wind most definitely came from somewhere with a lot of snow.
I am happy for the spiders you are brave and can release them, but there is no way i would ever get close enough to put a glass over one of these. love seeing Skabby in the water and the colors on the bee eater are amazing. so happy the bunker is running well
ReplyDeleteHello Jo, beautiful birds and photos. It would be cool to do some birding in Africa. I would like to see these beautiful birds like the Blcksmith Plover, Stonechat and the lovely Bee-eater. Nice to see Skabby and your shadow too. It is nice of you to rescue the spider. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great new week ahead. PS, thank for the comment and visit.
ReplyDeleteHello. Great serie of fabulous birds.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I liked seeing the eight-legger! But I loved seeing the birds and your lovely dog in the water!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like cold weather but I do like critters. All except the spider. I don't care for spiders one bit
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, beautiful shots of the birds. Skabby enjoying his morning swim, I see. He probably would bug you if you forgot to take him. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are keeping busy once again.
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