Feeding

I've started offering the birds in my garden half apples. They seem to really appreciate this in winter and it has resulted in some lovely sitings. I've also added a bird bath, and am hoping this will attract some new species.

Some Black-Collared Barbets at the feeder:



Cape Sparrow's have also become regular visitors:



Lots of other feathered friends too:

Winter Oddity - Tawny-Flanked Prinia

Winter has many drawbacks, but one of the nice things about this time of year is the odd species it occasionally throws up in the garden. For instance as the spruit at the bottom of the road dries out the Prinia's start foraging further afield, and sometimes even make it as far as my garden. I originally thought this was a warbler of some description, however as a reader correctly pointed out is is actually a Prinia:

Wordless Wednesday - Sink Sun Tanning

Melville Koppies Nature Reserve

We went for a walk on the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve a few weekends ago. The weather was crisp and clear, and the koppies offered a panoramic view over Johannesburg. A highlight was the few splashes of colour juxtaposed against the harsh winter veld:



Especially the Aloes:



This nature reserve is really a gem in the heart of Johannesburg and well worth a visit. Another highlight for me was the large numbers of black sunbirds congregating around the stands of wild dagga, unfortunately I did not bring my 300mm lens along so could not get a decent shot of them. The reserve has am impressive bird list with 185 species recorded!