For the Birds, Pilanesberg Edition

We continued our morning drive, as we had gotten up at five it was still preeeeettty early.  We didn't see alot of larger animals for awhile but besides the large animals and the vegetation, a Safari is also about the birds.  I tried to take good picture of the birds for my Dad, because if you know him at all, you will know he loves birds.  (Hence my name. :)  

This one is a favorite of mine.  It's name is also particularly great.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Kori Bustard.  HA! Toldya it was a great name.  Bustard means "birds that walk." It's Africa's Largest Flying Bird.    They can fly but mostly don't.  They can weigh up to 19 kg or 41 pounds.  

Not a fantastic picture but you could look it up online.  The people we were with got better ones I think.  Sometimes you sacrifice taking a good picture to just enjoy watching what is going on.  Since we aren't professional photographers we can afford to play these games. :)

This one is another favorite.  Lot's of favorites here.

A European Bee Eater.  These birds are beautiful.  I never got a good photo in flight but wow, they are so colorful.

Saw these cute birds on a bridge as we drove past.

Another favorite coming up.  This also has a fantastic name.  It's the Grey Go-Away Bird.  Oh yeah!  It makes this sound that cannot be described. I'll try though.  It's the sound one might make if someone asked "how ya doing?" or here in SA they say "howzit?." Rather than say "fine" as social protocol dictates since one might be feeling emotional, cranky and probably PMSing, instead there is a scrunching up of the face out comes an irritated mewling sound that immediately shut downs further questioning.  I'm not great at bird calls, but I'm getting pretty skilled at this one.  If one is close and making it's sound and I reply we end up having a whole conversation. Matt is pretty impressed with my ability I think. How I got good at that kind of sound I'm not totally sure...................................

 One landed on our windowsill awhile back, they are actually pretty big.  They look as big as an African Grey Parrot but they may not weigh as much, I'm not sure.  They have this great punky mohawk too.

It's also called the Grey Lourie or Tiny Waluigi Bird (Waluigi! Eeek! Seriously awesome names going on.) 

I need to try to get a video but until then, I found a youtube video you can hear them distinctly on.  I'll share this link so you can hear it too.  Sounds of the African Bush-Grey Go-Away Bird

Not sure if you think my description is spot on or not, but sound is all in the ear of the hearer.

We continued on to another watering hole.  Where they had.....more birds!

Not sure of the names on these ones.  There was also hippo at this watering hole and one actually got out of the water, which was something I really wanted to see.  I'll save him for next time and keep this post just dedicated to some of the birds that I took pictures of for Dad.