Month Of October 2020 (Part 1)
As promised I have now gone through the gazillions of photos taken, resized for uploading, really hoping the situation getting them online will not become another task in the patience game.
We currently moved backward being on cellular connection after our ADSL line was removed by provider. Light at the end of the tunnel is news we will have fibre optics in January/February next year, cabling has been laid right in front of our home YIPPEE!!!
Without further ado two posts have been shared in this region since our visit to the Drakensberg, in case you missed them Sunbirds a Natal Bottle Brush In Rainy Weather as well as Falcon Ridge Powerful Presence Of Raptors
This content is all about the other bird life seen whilst visiting the region, being start of Spring many are readying themselves for breeding season. With the number of photographs taken I will have to try over a few articles, for those who love birds you are in for a treat!
Perhaps they call the young "cooties", parents are pretty aggressive when breeding, also with their young with only a few making adulthood. This Coot mom was desperately trying to get the young back into the nest. Photo displays the unusual knuckled feed and grey/blue colour.
An omnivorous water fowl found on most lakes and water around our country, breeding throughout the year. Photo below, eventually gotcha!
Coot is most comfortable on water, seldom flying except to get out of the way of another, on the upper dam where we did fishing another family reside.
From one black water bird to another who sails the skies, first day arriving while waiting for my brother we had another visitor, I'm sure birds have come to know when new arrivals are in town.
Abundant food everywhere the birds were in magnificent glistening condition. Ravens eat a wide variety of food in seed, insects, carrion, berries of which all will be found up here.
Now moving to the smaller birds, as mentioned this is a recollection of birds seen while out walking, some became regular visitors or seen flying up and down the river or dams.
Common Waxbill arrived on lawn in front of the cottage about fifty in number, slightest move they are off again, very shy little birds that belong to the finch family. Love the red mask over the eye with matching beak!
A little water makes a lot of difference in a bird life, many seed eaters perch on reeds picking up seed, requiring water close to hand, when breeding these birds may take a few insects to give additional protein to their diet.
Small well rounded little bird the Stonechat is part of the old world fly-catcher family, she really is cute, wait till you see her gallant young male counter-part!
Stepping out in a most favourable outfit is dapper male African Stonechat, quite different from the back to the breast taking in both sides of the handsome bird.
With one last look before I must head to the kitchen and cook... Leaving many more for another day!
As always mentioned I do research the birds I see, however on occasion may not identify correctly, always appreciate feedback from those who may recognize more readily, _calling on 
_All photography is my own, any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you.
Thought for Today: "Two birds disputed about a kernel, when a third swooped down and carried it off." - African Proverb
Places to Enjoy On Hive: #powerhousecreatives hive-114105, #qurator hive-102880, #featheredfriends 
!pinmapple -29.01822 lat 29.43679 long Champagne Castle Drakensberg South Africa D3SCR
