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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Birding in the valley

On Sunday morning Grant and I drove to the dam for a spot of birding. As usual we weren't disappointed. As we've seen many, if not most of the birds in the area, it's still exciting to seen well-known birds either doing unusual [to human] things or are in strange situations.

Black-headed Heron lifts its leg and claw as if in a greeting (or is it a warning)  to the crazy lady photographer invading his space

Taking a couple more photos of this beautiful bird and other egrets sunning themselves, I turned towards a stream created by piped water from the top dam to the one where we were birding. There we spotted two Hamerkop birds (translated Hammer heads - due to the shape of their heads) fishing in the fast-flowing water. As we watched we noticed a likkewaan (a common lizard-like, but harmless reptile) wandering around in between the two birds. I took several photos but only when I downloaded them onto my computer, did I notice that there had been two likkewaans with the birds.  
A Hamerkop waits patiently beside the stream

The first likkewaan makes its way across the stream
The first (and larger) likkewaan on the bank of the little stream
The other Hamerkop in the front of the photo with the second, smaller likkewaan, above it in the photo,  wandering in the stream while the first likkewaan (top right) walks up the bank

Both Hamerkops in the photo now with the second likkewaan in the background

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Monday, November 21, 2011

Weekend 19-20 November 2011

Driving through the village last Friday, we came across a nanny goat with a new-born kid. The kid doesn't look as small in the photo as it actually did, but the umbilical cord is still attached. The mother moved protectively in front of the baby as we stopped to take photos.

New-born goat kid with its mother

On Saturday we went up the mountain to Eldoret for our monthly shopping spree.
With all the rain this year, the waterfalls are in full flow

I'd made scones and Grant made a flask of coffee. We stopped near the top of the mountain and while the men enjoyed this snack, I took photos.

Baglafecht Weaver male

And of course, I snapped the motorcycle taxis on the road.

I didn't have time to change my camera settings as I swung around to snap these three gentlement on the motorcycle so the image is rather overexposed. They were very friendly and called Good Morning as they free-wheeled down the steep mountain road!


Seconds later I heard a motorcycle coming up the road and swung around to photograph it. I missed the side view as it passed in front of me but...




...ten minutes later we passed it on the tarred road and I managed to snap the passengers. Three children, laughing and chattering away, were perched behind the driver!

 

On Sunday morning Grant and I went out birding for the first time in many weeks. It's been too wet to even try. Our first stop was to watch an LBJ (little brown job/bird) who sat still for me to photograph it.
A Black-eyed-bulbul poses for me

and gave us a show in the bath!
Another motorcycle taxi along the mine road

I don't normally miss posts, but didn't have anything yesterday due to a full weekend away from the computer. I have more bird posts and will return again tomorrow.

Hope you're all having a great week!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Golden Beauty

Although I took more than a dozen photos of this beautiful butterfly in my garden, it just wouldn't open its wings when I clicked!

Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.