"birding" fun - Page 64

**whulsey** · #**631** 01-04-2015, 03:28 PM

Have to agree with Don, that kingfisher is a cute little bird. Now the glare of the Speckled Thick-Knee really lends to the dinosaur ancestry,

**Kevin WS** · #**632** 01-15-2015, 04:23 PM

You put that really well - about the birds glare!

**ashevilleangler** · #**633** 01-15-2015, 10:16 PM

Very nice shot of the dipper. It's one of my favorite birds because it's presence indicates that I am fishing a healthy stream. Because it's primarily an insect eater I know that the stream must contain a lot of them to attract dippers. I'll need to take a camera along when I go out this spring to see if I can get a photo. I don't think that the American version is as colorful as yours though.

Curt

**Kevin WS** · #**634** 01-15-2015, 10:19 PM

For me, because off it's behaviour, it really was probably the most interesting bird I have ever come across!

To s day I was fascinated is putting it mildly!

**Kevin WS** · #**635** 01-17-2015, 02:09 PM

Here is a photo of a little bird that lives on the savanna - quick and often difficult to photograph.

The two birds are Ant-Eating Chats (and they do eat ants/termites!). Both birds are females. Males have a small white carpal patch.

**Kevin WS** · #**636** 01-24-2015, 12:57 PM

Knob Billed Duck placidly floating along in the middle of croc and hippo country.....

**birder** · #**637** 01-24-2015, 02:48 PM

It's thrilling to see pics of these ( for me) exotic birds. I have seen pictures of quite a few of them by studying the paintings of some of my favorite artists, Fuertes did a great bit of watercolor work in Africa in his trip in the 1920's there, Spotted thicknee, I think is included (Louis Agazzis Fuertes). Peter Scott in his illustrations for ducks of the world, although he is best known for his paintings of geese in flight...
Thanks Kevin for the awesome pics!

**Kevin WS** · #**638** 01-24-2015, 03:56 PM

Thank you Glen!

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures!

Africa's one saving grace is the birds and the animals. I always carry a camera and tripod and snap away - it gives me something to look forward to and I have spent many a happy hour trying, generally very unsuccessfully, to take pictures of some elusive creature!

But another important thing for me is not to take all the "local" animals and birds for granted. I try all the time to look at things with a fresh eye.

In November last year I was lucky to be in the UK for a week and was fascinated by the birds there too - to me very unusual!!! Especially the little Dipper!

**whulsey** · #**639** 01-24-2015, 03:59 PM

Will second Glen's comments, love seeing all the exotica to us.

**Kevin WS** · #**640** 01-24-2015, 04:03 PM

Thank you. I will try and keep them coming.......!