Wild Adventures Blog
Journey to the wild
Spring day at Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is currently exploding with colour and teeming with animal activity.
With all the flowers that are blossoming, there is a prolific amount of birds around the gardens. I had a couple of first time sightings again, which is always exciting when spending time outside.
One of these sightings occured at the start of the trip already. I saw a couple of small Swee Waxbills on the lawn. To my surprise I saw them numerous times around the garden, throughout the day.
One of my goals for the day was to capture some great action around the protea and pincushion sections. I had not seen the King Protea in the garden before so I really wanted to pay a visit there. I really hoped that I might see a Sugarbird or Malachite Sunbird feeding from the King Protea. To my delight, a male Cape Sugarbird actually paid a visit and spent a brief moment on the King Protea.
The Cape Sugarbirds were very active during the morning and I spent a considerable amount of time with them.
One of the more common birds that a lot of people might ignore, or find a nuisance, is the Helmeted Guineafowl. I find these birds to be highly entertaining and actually very photogenic. In my opinion they must be one of the most beautifully ugly birds around.
One of the birds that I haven’t seen for ages was the pair of Spotted Eagle Owls that nest in the gardens. I got really excited when I managed to spot these raptors. The male was napping in the tree and the female was hidden in the bushes at the nest sight.
I managed to capture a shot of the owl just peeking at me during its snooze.
Every time I visit the Afromontane forest section, aka The Braille Trail, I see something truly amazing. I was really hoping that the visit this day wouldn’t disappoint. It was around lunchtime and it was starting to get pretty hot in the sun. I knew that it would be a good idea to get some shade and just relax there in the forest. After sitting quietly for a while, a noticed a flash of orange fly through the forest.
I didn’t get a clear view of what it was, but I knew it would be worth investigating. I had wishful idea of what it might be, but wasn’t too hopeful in my search. It was very shady in the forest so I had to search diligently. Eventually I saw that iconic orange body that I was so hopeful for. It was a female African Paradise Flycatcher. I had never seen one and was ecstatic when I found it.
It was a very productive day in the garden and with the wonderful spring weather that we’ve been having, I can’t wait for summer to arrive.
5 Comments on “Spring day at Kirstenbosch”
Leave a comment
Recent Comments
 | Cal Butler on Rixaka meets baby impala |
 | Laszlo Toth on Rixaka meets baby impala |
| Cal Butler on Rixaka meets baby impala |
Wild Adventures Blog 
You have taken us on a wonderous journey yet again – thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure Anne. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Pingback: The birds watch – capetownpulse
Brilliant photos from a brilliant location, Cal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dries
LikeLiked by 1 person