FHJ Birding

16/09/2018

Finally managed to pin this one down. 2 hours of patience paid off to get the record shot...now for the male!

22/01/2017

African Finfoot / Watertrapper / Podica senegalensis
Breede River near Robertson, Western Cape #416
21 January 2017

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F6.3
Shutter speed: 1/1600s
ISO: 640

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20/12/2016

http://www.ofm.co.za/article/human-interest/215221/sa-birder-describes-mozambique-ambush

Caia, Mozambique - A South African birdwatcher was among a group of international tourists who were ambushed by men armed with AK47 assault rifles in Mozambique last week.

12/11/2016

Wahlberg's Eagle / Bruinarend / Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Near Oudtshoorn, Western Cape #411
12 November 2016

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F5.6
Shutter speed: 1/8000s
ISO: 800

Something interesting about the subject:
Just a record shot of an awesome Western Cape record and lifer for me...there are just a handful of previous records of this intra-African migrant for the province.

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11/09/2016

Another fantastic day out in the field with Adrius Rabie. His excellent local knowledge and keen eyes did not disappoint and I was lucky enough to add my latests Western Cape lifer, Red-billed Firefinch, to my list. Other great sightings, especially for the 150km Cape Town Challenge zone, included Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and Double-banded Courser. Dankie oom!

11/08/2016

Bridled Tern Twitch

10/08/2016

World Lion Day - 10 August

Lion / Leeu / Panthera leo
25 July 2016
Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F8.0
Shutter speed: 1/640s
ISO: 640

Something interesting about the subject:

In celebration of World Lion Day I decided to share this image taken in Kruger National Park. The lion is classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Support the cause to conserve these majestic animals at:

https://www.facebook.com/WorldLionDay/

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06/08/2016

Arnot's Chat / Bontpiek / Myrmecocichla arnotti
25 July 2016

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F5.6
Shutter speed: 1/1000s
ISO: 1600

Something interesting about the subject:
Just a record shot but this particular encounter with a female Arnot's Chat was very memorable as it became my 700th bird species seen in Southern Africa - a milestone which I was hoping to reach in 2016. What an incredible adventure it has been since I have taken up the hobby in June 2011!

Arnot's chat is found in healthy stands of miombo and mopane woodland. The species was described by Henry Baker Tristram in 1869 based upon a specimen collected at Victoria Falls. He named the species after the collector, Mr David Arnot.

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10/07/2016

I decided to take advantage of a perfect Cape Town winter day by aiming the lens at a few of our special endemics. Highlights at Rooi Els included Cape Rockjumper, Cape and Sentinel Rock Thrushes and Cape Grassbird. An afternoon picnic at the nearby Harold Porter Botanical Garden produced Southern Boubou, Olive Woodpecker and a cheeky Cape Spurfowl family that was very interested in our lunch. Trip list: 68 species.

06/07/2016

Antarctic Tern / Grysborssterretjie / Sterna vittata
Jacobs bay, WC - 18 June 2016

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F8.0
Shutter speed: 1/1600s
ISO: 500

Something interesting about the subject:
Antarctic Terns occur on a large number of remote islands in the southern oceans and off the coast of Antarctica. Breeding populations in the southern part of their range are migratory and post-breeding flocks migrate long distances to winter off the southern coasts of South America and South Africa. They only come ashore to roost.

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03/07/2016

Souhtern Giant Petrel / Reusenellie /
Macronectes giganteus (White Morph)
Pelagic off Cape Point - 9 August 2014

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F5.6
Shutter speed: 1/8000s
ISO: 640

Something interesting about the subject:
This special bird was the highlight of my first ever pelagic trip - what an unforgettable experience. The species itself is not rare, but the white morph is, especially in our waters. These giant petrels have a wingspan of roughly 2m and can weigh up to 4,8kgs!

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02/07/2016

Orange-breasted Sunbird / Oranjeborssuikerbekkie/
Anthobaphes violacea
Kirstenbosch - 18 July 2015

Photo details:
Camera: Canon EOS 50D
Lens: Canon 400mm F5.6
F-stop: F8.0
Shutter speed: 1/640s
ISO: 320

Something interesting about the subject:
This has to be one of my favourite endemics. Their range is confined to the fynbos biome from near Vanrhynsdorp, Western Cape to Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Diet consists of nectar, insects and spiders for dessert.

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