South Africa 2013 - Pt 3

Kirstenbosch & Boulders Beach

A family and friends picnic had been arranged for the day at Kirstenbosch Gardens, it was going to be a winter long-shot due to the unpredictable weather as of course the weather won..... it didn't stop us getting to the gardens for a few hours though.

For 13 years the Spotted Eagle Owls have bred in the gardens and is believed to be the most photographed Owl in Africa, there was no way I was going to miss out here.

Spotted Eagle Owl

 

 

  

Talking to the ranger he explained that they are indeed annual breeders but never take residence in the same tree. It was brilliant to see the pair perched together.

 

With plenty of flora on offer here it was no surprise to find a few species of Sunbird.

 

Malachite Sunbird

  

Southern Double Collared Sunbird

 

 

Pincushion Protea (Leucospermum cordifolium) a favourite with the Sunbirds

 

 

Dusky Flycatcher

 

Cape Robin Chat

 

Brimstone Canary

 

Southern Boubou

 

Cape Spurfowl

 

other birds included an African Goshawk that was perched a few hundreds yards away from the Eagle Owls in a rather damp and gloomy part of the wood,

 

 

Olive and Karoo Thrushes were seen amongst the leaf litter and flower borders.

 

 

Boulders Beach

 

Boulders Beach is really all about the African Penguin colony. Newly installed boardwalks take visitors close to the main colony, however the Penguins are widespread in the area with nest holes scattered along side the carparks and walkways

 

 

and a fed up juvenile

 

 

Speckled Mousebird

 

Cape Whiteye

 

Malachite Sunbird

 

 

Karoo Prinia

 

Other birds seen in the area included Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Cape Sparrow, Cape Sugarbird, Orange Breasted Sunbird, while the mammals included some friendly Rock Dassie

 

But Remember when leaving a car park you must.........