}

29 October 2022

Mating Malachite kingfishers at Rondevlei

 It was my dream to get a photo of a Malachite Kingfisher at Rondevlei. They are like tiny jewels and one of my favourite birds. I chose a little section of river with a photogenic branch and waited. About half an hour later, to my utter delight, a beautiful Malachite perched on the branch in the sun. It sat contentedly and every so often, did a dive into the water to catch something. I didn't think it could get better but then it did. Another Malachite arrived from nowhere and they started to mate! Then afterwards, they lovingly touched beaks and exchanged food. One of the highlights of my birding and photography career. 



















I also got to photograph a couple of other birds on the same stretch of river.






20 comments:

Shelby LeAnne Salstrom said...

Wow! What a delight that is. So special.

Elna said...

Incredible sharpness and colour, and so much humour in the natural behaviours… I bet you had to demonstrate great patience and skill in capturing this. Amazing

Craig Jewell said...

Awesome captures! That’s patience paying off!!

Shushann Movsessian said...

Oh my goodness these pictures are stunning. You might be interested to know that: Kingfishers are symbolic of freedom, courage, adventure, and balance. They have a free spirit with wanderlust running in their blood. In many cultures, these birds are also associated with fertility and good fortune.

Linda Vergnani said...

Wow - quite amazing luck and photo skills. I can see you entering one of those photos in an international wildlife photography contest.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to have that special dream become a reality. And the superb photos are so sharp. Well done!

Truc Nguyen said...

What an extraordinary experience Graeme - and thanks so much for sharing. Just goes to show you often do get what you wish for and when it happens it’s often so much better than you hoped for!

Anne-Maree Kelleher said...

Graeme Myburgh you have enter these in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards. Such a beautiful bird and you have photographed them so well. What a special moment in your life. Animal watching is always such a treat.

Roger Gowlett said...

Wow Graeme, even by your lofty standards, these are special! Happy days.

Xenia Demetriou said...

What an amazing capture and you got to witness it all...life unfolding right before you!

Khryssi Theodoridis said...

Aah Graeme You've done it again! Exquisite photos
So happy for you that you realised your dream

Tony Newby said...

These are special Graeme, love your work!

Joanne Boting said...

Absolutely sublime. You were walking on cloud nine when you got home!!💗

Jill Donnelly said...

Such a special experience for you and brilliant that you managed to catch it with such wonderful photos.

Chris Tamsett said...

You might never be able to improve on that Graeme, just awesome.

Marion Vaughan said...

So special Graeme! And your photographs are superb too.

Trish Vanderbeck said...

Truly amazing photography of a treasured moment. Spectacular!

Larry Worthington-Fitnum said...

Beautiful pic. Well done.

Chris Daly said...

Beautiful Graeme and as only you can do, you have connected with essence of your subjects and shred what you see.
Can't ge† enough of this creativity more please more!

Anonymous said...

glorious results; thx.

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