A robber in our midst

A couple of months ago, while visiting the children here on the farm, Eryn led me to a small forest Debbie has created in the garden. There she showed me a Common Fiscal with four eggs in it. Two weeks later we visited here again. Grant and I immediately went to see if the eggs had hatched. There was no nest; no eggshells; no dead baby birds. Nothing.

What a mystery. 

Last week I noticed an African Harrier Hawk flying over the garden. It landed on an electrical pole just beyond the fence. I grabbed my camera, zoomed in and snapped away through the kitchen window. 

African Harrier-hawk

Suddenly the raptor flew off the pole and swooped in on a small tree in the forest garden. The Common Fiscal pair sitting on the top branches of a tree nearby, kicked up a huge fuss; screaming and flying at the Harrier Hawk. Unperturbed it homed in on their nest, snatched a baby bird and flew back to its post top.

To devour its meal.

Common Fiscal  (male) atop the tree with their nest 

Common fiscal (female) sitting a little way off

Although these images are distressing, I always tell myself this is nature. The African Harrier-hawk finished its meal and flew off down into the valley. It hasn't been back and we're not sorry.

I'm linking to Our World Tuesday here

Upgrade!

Last week I posted photos of the lighting set-up we have in our rondawel which is where we sleep. 

We have candles, headlamps and hand-held torches 

This week we added a paraffin (kerosene) lamp 

A much brighter light

HAPPY MONDAY TO YOU ALL! 

Mountain moggies update

Hi Bozo and Mum's blog readers; this is Ambrose with the kitty update from the mountains.

Yesterday we heard Mum tell our yoomen dad that we seem to be enjoying life here much more than our life  before. I wanted to tell Mum; of COURSE, we're enjoying it more: there is so much more space and the grass and BEEG animals are all so interesting. 

Dad Ginger resting against the wall while I, Ambrose look out from the door

Unca Shadow is resting on the fluffy blanket on Mum's bed

Aunty Chappie resting on her cushion on HER chair

Dad Ginger loves to sit in the rose garden

I followed Mum to another BEEEG place but ran back when I saw her funny headgear and glasses!

For more cute pet posts, please click here