28 May 2022 - Northcliff Ridge Eco Park
Whilst my wife had a girls morning out, I had a 'me' morning. It had been sometime since I last visited Northcliff Ridge, so that was my first stop. Unfortunately, I wasn't the only one with the same idea. When I arrived after 7am, there was a camera club group spread out across the ridge to photograph the sunrise. Their efforts were thwarted by the mist below and being swept up over the ridge.
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Northcliff Ridge Water Tower |
So many people meant little to no birds present, so I had to wait for the group to depart. Whilst waiting, I had eye level view of a Pied Crow as it came past on the updraft.
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Pied Crow (Corvus albus) |
Finally they did all leave and only a few walkers/joggers remained. But as the mist lifted, so the birds returned and first up was a Striped Pipit literally below the rock I was standing on
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Striped Pipit (Anthus lineiventris) |
Next up was the male Cape Rock Thrush
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Male Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris) |
Joined shortly thereafter by the female. In this situation, I enjoyed the effect of shooting the image through some foliage in the foreground
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Female Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris) |
The grass had been cut on the ridge and there weren't many flowering Wild Dagga (Leonotis) around, so hopes of finding the Sunbird seemed diminished. I was following up on a Striped Pipit when I heard a Sunbird calling from the top of a Protea Bush, lo and behold the Greater Double-collared in full summer plumage. Sadly he didnt stay long, but 3 of the big 4 for this location was a good result, given the start
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Male Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer) |
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