Ahh, Brazil again at last!

I managed a quick trip to Brazil to run a workshop in December 2012 at Vitória, Espírito Santo. It really did not give me much time to explore but at least it was a great reminder why I need to organize a vacation there. Sun, friendly people, great environment (in places) and lots of space :-)

 

 

Oh yes, it had to happen - some birding in the local park ........ not too bad for three hours.

 

 

 

A quick visit to Gabon

I was in Gabon for business for the first few days of November this year. It is a country I had not visited before, although we have a sub-regional office based in Libreville (the capital). After coming out of the European autumn (although relatively warm), Libreville was wonderfully humid and warm. The weather was good, although it was overcast and did rain a fair amount.

I was pleasantly surprised by the parts of the capital I saw as they were clean and organized. Definitely Africa but certainly a place that is relatively easy to get around anf a fair amount to do. Our offices are fortunately in a relatively great area and I managed to check the birds during my lunch hour :-)

Next time to get back on vacation and see more of the country.

Back again .....

After not having been to South Africa for almost 2 years, I have now visited twice in the last 6 months. And I am happy as South Africa in spring and early summer, is a great place for birds. Although it was a family Christmas holiday, I did manage to get out a little.

The first 10 days were spent in Pietermaritzburg and while there I did manage to get to Nottingham Road area for a day. Basides the hadeda ibis and Egyptian geese tha woke me every morning, there are some great birds in the gardens in the city.

Forked-tailed drongo sunning feathers after some cool, wet weather ......

 

White-bellied sunbird: female building a nest in a macadamia nut tree.

A pair of southern grey-headed sparrows.

Diedrick's cuckoo

A bathing dark-capped bulbul .....

A jackal buzzard looking for food .......

 I probably could have got a list of at least 50 species by just sitting in the garden for a day or two .... provided I got up early to see who belonged to the dawn chorus.

A little bit of birding paradise! Part I

I very seldom get there, but when I do I enjoy it immensely! The reserve is a little off the beaten track and the final 12 kilometres of road can be a little rough at times. However, Mkhuze Game Reserve is a place of great beauty and is well known to birders as there are more than 420 bird species in the reserve. The reserve has a good diversity of natural habitats that include mountains along its eastern boundary, acacia savannah, swamps, a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. In addition to the birds, there are a wide range of animals (including the big five). Just a beautiful place to feed to soul and re-energize.

 

 
When it has rained (this region is often desperately dry) the pans are full of birdlife and hippos. A beautiful place, even without the wildlife.

 
Although I only spent a day in the reserve, here are some of the birds I saw:

 
Well that is just a sample and you will just have to wait for the next instalment ..........