A Wandering Migrant at Cape Point ??? Hah..got you all there. The Wandering Migrant is myself..I arrived back in South Africa last weekend from spending 6 weeks in New Zealand. In my absence my Birding Buddies had bought a new car. And this car...aptly named Dusty...needed to be inspected by myself and what better way than to take it on a birding jaunt. We opted for Cape Point as we had not been there in a while. The morning started off quite misty but it soon cleared into one of those beautiful Autumn Cape days. Needless to say Dusty has my approval – the back seat has ample of room for my cameras etc. What kind and considerate friends I have that take me into account when buying a new car. We hit the road and before too long we were at the entrance to Cape Point. This is when I discovered that I had neglected to bring my handbag along so I was not in possession of my wild card, nor my wallet..nor my glasses. I’m not entirely sure where my head was when we left home but luckily for some of us others of us were able to pay R125.00 to get me into Cape Point. We had driven all the way there so I just had to grit my teeth and pay the entry fee.
We made our way to Olifantsbos and we were pleased to see how well the vegetation had recuperated since the devastating fires of March 2015. Many Orange-breasted Sunbirds were flitting around the bushes but proved impossible to capture on camera. Just before arriving at the beach at Olifantsbos we saw 3 Klipspringers on top of the ridge. They looked quite relaxed and were unaware of the cameras firing away at them. It is the first time I have seen Klipspringers in the park.
Two White-necked Ravens flew overhead but we were more interested in the Jackal Buzzard that put in an appearance. It flew towards us and just hovered in the air…looking from left to right clearly looking for a snack. It flew off without finding anything to catch.
We walked along the beach which was covered in smelly kelp. Birdlife consisted of Sacred Ibis, Oystercatchers, Kittlitz’s Plovers, Cape Wagtails, Familiar Chats, Cape Bulbuls and a few Mousebirds. When we got back to the carpark a photo session was in order…
Rob and Rookie alongside Dusty.
cell photo
Lots of laughter over silly selfies ensued – so much so that we almost missed the Peregrine Falcon that flew over our heads.
Our next stop was the Visitor’s centre. This is really a lovely spot in Cape Point …especially when the Aloes are in flower.
cell photo
We had hoped to find a Cape Grassbird but we dipped on that. But two Kestrels, a Black-shouldered Kite, Cape Buntings, Cape Sugarbirds, Malachite Sunbirds, Southern Boubou and a Bokmakierie kept us entertained.
This cute little Bunting was determined to show me his best side…
Up next was the Southern Boubou.
The two Rock Kestrels were putting on a good show for us but somehow or other I never got a decent shot of them. I faired a bit better with the Black-shoulderd Kite though.
There was much activity around the Aloes…
Cape Sugarbird
Malachite Sunbird
A few baboons were mooching around as well – they were not too interested in us. Thank Goodness.
We then moved onto Buffelsbay . Not many birds around apart from Gulls, Swift Terns, a Cormorant or two and the ever bobbing Wagtails. A few Dassies were enjoying the warmth from the sun.
The late afternoon light lends itself to some lovely photos. This is when I noticed that I had not replaced the card in my other camera …so I took a few scenic shots with my cell phone
And our shadows…
With that it was time to head off home…
A lovely afternoon spent in a beautiful park right on our doorstep.
Well worth the R125.....
A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
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- nan
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Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
Rob and Rookie... and Dusty
no valet, no wildcard, no memory card and your head
happily you had some beautiful pictures with your cellphone but where is the Peregrine
nice to see Klipspringers here
love the Bunting
no valet, no wildcard, no memory card and your head
happily you had some beautiful pictures with your cellphone but where is the Peregrine
nice to see Klipspringers here
love the Bunting
Kgalagadi lover… for ever
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- harrys
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Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
Some beautiful photos
Marakele day trips
KNP: May be one day again??
KNP: May be one day again??
Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
I love the puffed up Cape bunting and the Aloes
Nice birdmobile
Nice birdmobile
- Mel
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Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
Wow, Michele, once again superbe photos! Even those taken with your cell phone are really, really good!
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Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
What a lovely outing with great sightings and pics to prove it.
Re: A Wandering Migrant in Cape Point NP
In facto a couple of amazing bird shots, Michele
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