Wordless Wednesday - Injisuthi Rainbow Trout

The Rabble

Crested Barbet Using Sisal Nesting Log!

About this time last year I blogged about the crested barbets trying unsucsessully to create a nesting hole in the pine tree accross the road. This year i decided to offer them one of those sisal nesting logs that they sell in nursary's. I had some advise that the nesting log hole should face south and other advise that it should face any direction except south? I decided to compromise and have it facing west! Unfortunatley, the only place I could put the nesting log is quite close to my back window so i did not have too much hope that the birds would make use of it.

So I was delighted to see this sight less than two hours after putting it up! Will keep an eye on him to see how the excavation goes :-)

Amethyst Sunbird

I normally get a smattering of sunbirds in the garden in February to coincide with the "Cigarette Bush (Cuphea micropetal) blooming. This year they have been late in arriving, so i was very happy to spot this little female in fading light as I got home today :)

Wordless Wednesday - Amur Falcon

Little Sparrowhawk

I have had several fleeting glipses of a Little Sparrowhawk around Emmarentia in the last few days, including one lovely siting with the bird flying right over my head - giving me a clear view of the diagnostic yellow eyes and cere. Unfortunately I never seem to have a camera handy when its around! Never-the-less i'm super excited to have this voracious little predator around :)

Bee-eaters Take 2

I blogged before about the European Bee-Eaters that are so so common around Johannesburg this time of year. They really are a joy to watch soaring and diving after insects in the evenings. I have also managed to get some slightly less fuzzy images than my last attempt, which i thought i'd share: