Winter morning at the Farm

10 June 2024 - Northern Farm

I managed to find a few hours for a short visit to the Farm on a crispy morning that started off with some low fog. I reversed the circuit I normally follow, just for a change. 

This cold looking Burchell's Coucal stayed put, long after I had taken a few frames and left!

Burchell's Coucal (Centropus burchelli)

At one of the big dams, I heard then found an Orange-breasted Bushshrike, which is a good record for the farm

Orange-breasted Bushshrike (Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus)

A pair of Goliath Heron's appeared to be collecting nesting material and flying into the reeds. They really are quite magnificent!

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

The White-breasted Cormorant's had some begging young birds on their nests

White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus)

Yellow-billed Duck's were numerous at this dam - always great to catch them in flight.

Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata)

Continuing around the farm, I had Southern Fiscal

Southern Fiscal (Lanius collaris)

Then down at the quarry, there were a number of Blue-billed Teal's on the smaller dam

Blue-billed Teal (Spatula hottentota)

As well as an African Jacana out on the mudflats together with the resident Three-banded Plovers

African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)

At the last dam, I was pleasantly surprised when the local Fish Eagle flew in and landed in a Willow Tree

African Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga vocifer)

There were two more Goliath Heron's in this dam with one really close by that I caught catching a small Barbel. I then managed a couple of portrait images and discovered these Heron's do have a bit of a crest, that is not often seen or raised.

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

I love this image in the early morning light against the background of winter colours

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay longer, but as always, it was good to have a few hours at the Farm on a winter's morning.