RIETVLEI NATURE RESERVE *

[steamtrainfan]

Hi R.P.

Here is the brown snake eagle sequence:

































The final few on our way out:





A bum view of a black-shouldered kite hovering.




Thats all folks Thanks for watching.

[Dewi]

Wow! Stunning photos STF.

You are having some real special sightings at this reserve.

The Snake-eagle is a Juvenile Black-chested (barring on the underwing, paler underparts). Great to get it with a snake in it's talons.

The "Kite" is a female Amur Falcon. They also hover sometimes like the Kites do. (Barring on tail and streaking on flanks - the kite would have a white tail and paler wings with black shoulder patches).

Wish I could go there now after seeing your latest pics.

[steamtrainfan]

A PHOTO ESSAY OF 4 HOURS IN RIETVLEI 09.05.2013.

Joan was off work and I was bored so we decided to a Rietvlei trip. Got there at 07:20 and left at 11:30.
Here follow some photos from todays trip.

First up were some eland pretty close to the road. Previously we have never seen them this close.




Another first for close up pics - some lady waterbuck with youngsters.






We have lent our bird book to friends who are currently in Kruger so unable to do some bird ID's. If anyone can help.

I think this is commonly called a butcher bird.


This little guy would not keep still long enough to get a good pic but patience pays off.


An egyptian goose doing a low level fly past.


Coming up next our first fish eagle in flight pic and more of him.

[Dewi]

Nice one STF. I love visiting this reserve.

Great pics and nice sightings.

The Butcher Bird is the colloquial name given to the Shrikes after their habit of impaling prey on thorns (or barbed wire spikes) Common Fiscal is the one in your pic.

The LBJ is a Levaillant's Cisticola. They are relatively common in the park. Great pic of one.

[steamtrainfan]

At the Island View hide we saw a fish eagle sitting in a tall tree. A bit far away but full on 500mm and some heavy cropping resulted in the following pics PLUS my first for me of a fish eagle in flight although only just.













It was only while cropping the pics did I realise that there was a dead commorant hanging in the tree - how did that happen????



While at the hide Joan got this shot of a commorant taking building material to his building site.

[steamtrainfan]

The last few pics for the morning.

Not sure which Plover this is.


Another first for us - a Koraan.


A little further on we came across two more Koraans but these did not have the white mark near the ear. Only managed to get a shot of one of them.


We then came across another group of Eland close to the road but the grass was rather long so the only decent pic was this one.


There were plenty of these around but also very difficult to catch one standing still and in the sun.


A long range shot of another butcher bird.


Zebra galloping across the road.


The youngster following Mom and Dad.


It was so nice to see that the Rhino population is on the increase.


Finally, another one of those little jobs that just would not sit still, until now.


Thats it for now until our next trip to Rietvlei.

[Dewi]

Thanks for posting your little jaunt to Rietvlei for us STF. Always enjoy seeing pics from this reserve.

The Plover is a Blacksmith.

The Korhaans are Northern Black Korhaans, the first one is a male, with females in the second pic.

Love your Stonechats. Again Female in the first and male in the last one.

Nice to see the young Rhino.

[steamtrainfan]

As a warm up to Amoli's 40% party on Sunday , Joan and I took an early morning ride and came up with a couple of new firsts again.

A lovely male waterbuck before sunrise.


Our first first for today - a herd of about 40 buffalo, also before sunrise. Unfortunately they were far away and the light was not good. We have seen the dagga boy but never the herd.






Sunrise over Rietvlei Dam.


Three male ostrich strutting their stuff in the early morning.




An inquisitive zebra - lovely markings.


Our second first for today - meerkat family.








A cute little duckling - not sure which???????


This is mommy or daddy who came and stood right next to the car.


Could this be a common fiscal - note the predominantly curved beak. Seems to be too fluffy and chubby to be a common fiscal.


More photos to follow.

[Dewi]

Great sightings and pics again STF.

I've also only seen the odd Bull buff there, never a herd.

Nan & Amoli are correct with the Grebe & the Common Fiscal is showing how abnormalities like shown are often found in birds.

The duck is one of mixed parentage. Looks like a Mallard x African Black Duck from what I can see in the photo.

Great stuff here.

[steamtrainfan]

At the Island View Bird Hide we had great fun watching some Red Knobbed Coots diving for water weeds.



Bottoms up.


An african darter soaking up the sun.


A section of the Island View condominium.


Another first - Managed to get this african hoopoe scratching in the grass.


Black shouldered kite minding his own business.


What follows seemed to us to be a juvenile BSK worrying his mother for food. They were both screeching their heads off.






Then peace descended on the tree top.


Near to Otter Bridge we came across another BSK who proceeded to play like a helicopter.






Finally a common moor hen.


Thats all for now folks - Roll on Sunday