The Amazing Pied Kingfisher

The Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) is our only kingfisher that habitually hunts from a hovering position.

It is reputed to be the world's longest bird (measured from bill to tail) that is capable of sustained hovering in still air. (1)

Whenever we happen upon stretches of shallow water I always keep an eye out for the distinctive pale shape hovering in mid air.

Recently I was fortunate enough to be in a position where I could get some reasonable pictures of this kingfisher hovering.

I hope you like them as much as I do!

(1) Carnaby, Trevor; Beat about the Bush - Birds, Jacana 2008

Skies and endless horizons

No matter the time of year, the road south-east from Johannesburg to Durban, through the eastern Free State offers grass clad landscapes, big, wide skies and infinite horizons.

Clear winter skies, smoke smudged horizons

Golden grass, cloud studded skies of late summer

This is cattle and maize country

Nearing the edge of the Escarpment

Maize fields stretch the horizons

Clouds, shadows, flowers, grass.... forever

A Leap of Leopards

I tried really hard to reduce my list of favourite leopard photos down to three or four, but just couldn't get less than eight.

Most of the following have been taken in Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, and the last in Karongwe Private Game Reserve.

We can also get really good sightings in Kruger but as I am always the driver/guide in those encounters I'm not usually in a position to capture great photos.