Weavers

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023

2023-04-02: Birds in Southern Africa

The arrival this week of the robins makes it feel like spring is finally on the way, despite the volume of snow that is still on the ground. Listening to their song and seeing them on the road reminded me that I have posted very few bird images lately, even though my last trip was bird focused.

The selection for this week is fairly random; just a small sampling of some of the birds seen on my most recent trip, with more to follow.

A pair of lesser striped swallows seen in Madikwe. There were several pairs nesting in the photography hide at Jaci’s lodge, giving some great opportunities to watch these birds up close. South Africa, November, 2022.

A southern masked weaver perched in the reeds along the edge of a dam. This individual was spotted whilst on a bird trip just outside of Johannesburg. South Africa, November, 2022.

A long tailed widow bird spotted near Johannesburg. These birds are amazing in flight; their long breeding feathers nearly pulling them out of the air.

A starling, I believe the greater blue eared, seen while traveling in Zimbabwe. November, 2022.

A violet backed starling in perfect morning light. Botswana, November, 2022.

October 27, 2019

2019-10-27: Weaver Nests

I’ve been having fun this weekend working on some of my photo art images, but decided to share a few images of interesting weaver nests today. They caught my eye, and I decided to just go with it.

On my most recent trip, we saw communal nests of the red-billed buffalo weaver and the typical hanging basket style nest of southern masked weaver (that’s my best guess, as we didn’t actually see anyone in residence).

DSCF2736 copy-Edit — Loads of tiny basket style nests, abandoned for the season.

DSCF3469 copy-Edit — These nests are built on the north and east branches of the tree; I believe in order to keep the nest cooler. Our guide told us that this was one way to determine direction if you are lost out on the bush.

On previous trips I saw several other great examples.

20170428-DSC_1215 copy — In Etosha National Park, the Sociable weaver nests had gotten so large, it brought down the branch of the tree.

20170428-DSC_1220 — One of the many sociable weavers still in residence in the broken nest.

DSC_6834-Edit — In Amboseli National Park, another tree filled with the basket style nests of the weavers. I don’t recall which variety would have bee the architects here.

DSC_6576-Edit — A black headed weaver gathering supplies to work on a nest in Queen Elizabeth Park in Uganda.

June 3, 2018

2018-06-03: Monthly Project – Bird Photography

Part of the reason that I chose bird photography this month was to get out and enjoy the nice weather, as well as get familiar with a new lens I have purchased. So at first glance it may not make any sense that today I’m posting images from my last trip. I have gotten out a bit over the past couple of days and taken some bird images, and I have been really impressed with the lens so far. But I’m already half way through Sunday and I haven’t had a chance to start editing, so rather than miss posting altogether or rushing my editing process, I decided to go for some bird images from my catalogue that I haven’t posted before.

I hope you enjoy my selections for this week, and next week I will be sharing some of our local birds.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

20170428-DSC_1217 copy — We came across a very large sociable weavers nest while on a game drive through Etosha National Park. There was a lot of activity in and out of the large communal nest, here one of the birds pauses in a more open spot where it is easier to see them.

20170428-DSC_1220 copy — Up against the nest, the weaver is very camouflaged.

This crimson breasted shrike played hard to get for a photo; this was the best that I could do while driving through the Makgadikgadi Pans.

A beautiful glossy starling in early morning light.

My personal favourite, the lilac breasted roller.

April 19, 2017

2017-04-19: Wordless Wednesday

buffalo weaver

black headed weaver

DSC_6834-Edit

October 21, 2015

2015-10-21: Wordless Wednesday

February 7, 2015

A friend of mine recently showed me some lovely photos she took of a Baltimore oriole, which inspired me to get to work on the photos I have of beautiful yellow birds – the southern masked weaver and spectacled weaver.

I was lucky enough to be able to watch the southern masked weavers crafting their nests in a tree in the back garden of the Wildlife ACT volunteer house at Zimanga, plus have them visit the water hole while we had time at the hides.

Enjoy!

A female southern masked weaver perched high in the branches in the back garden. Not a great shot; I included it to show the difference between the male and female. 1/320 sec, f5.6, ISO 450 — A female southern masked weaver perched high in the branches in the back garden. Not a great shot; I included it to show the difference between the male and female.
1/320 sec, f5.6, ISO 450

A southern masked weaver works on his nest upside down. 1/320 sec, f5.6, ISO 280 — A southern masked weaver works on his nest upside down.
1/320 sec, f5.6, ISO 280

The weaver makes a retreat after having a quick splash in the water. 1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250 — The weaver makes a retreat after having a quick splash in the water.
1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250

A southern masked weaver flanked by a pair of cape glossy starlings. I love the contrast between the colouring of the weaver and the starlings. 1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250 — A southern masked weaver flanked by a pair of cape glossy starlings. I love the contrast between the colouring of the weaver and the starlings.
1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250

The early stages of the nest process. The grasses are woven together with a great deal of intricacy. 1/500 sec, f5.6, ISO 100 — The early stages of the nest process. The grasses are woven together with a great deal of intricacy.
1/500 sec, f5.6, ISO 100

Several southern masked weavers work on building the perfect nest. 1/500 sec, f5.6, ISO 140 — Several southern masked weavers work on building the perfect nest.
1/500 sec, f5.6, ISO 140

A spectacled weaver eyes up the water hole before heading down for a drink. 1/2500 sec, f7.1, ISO 5000 — A spectacled weaver eyes up the water hole before heading down for a drink.
1/2500 sec, f7.1, ISO 5000

A southern masked weaver perched above the watering hole. 1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250 — A southern masked weaver perched above the watering hole.
1/1600 sec, f9.0, ISO 1250

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July 31, 2014

Weavers

Along with the Southern Red Bishops, the Weavers kept me entertained and happily snapping away while they went about their business. The amount of bird life was fabulous when we were in Zambia and as well for our day trip into Botswana. Such an amazing variety of bird life, and such extraordinary colours and patterns on the feathers. I can’t want to return!

I haven't been able to figure out what type of weavers these are, but they were in abundance in the tall grasses next to my room at Royal Chundu. 1/640sec, f5.6, ISO200 — I haven’t been able to figure out what type of weavers these are, but they were in abundance in the tall grasses next to my room at Royal Chundu.
1/640sec, f5.6, ISO200