...we came to take photos of birds, but instead we found this.
A music group was setting up right in front of the pincushion bushes, where I get the birds.
So yeah, there was to be a big noise that will scare even the mosquitos away. We didn't know about the planned performance, as upon our entry to the wine estate, everything seemed to be normal. I know that there are two male Cape Sugarbirds that are fighting about their territory, and I wanted to catch the action of them fighting on camera.
As I said, everything looked normal upon our entrance to the wine-estate.
What a surprise, as a band was setting up in the garden. I took some photos of the band's set-up that I will show you below.
An interesting name Posduif (Postal pigeon), and they are a top South African band that has won several awards. Postal pigeons were used to get messages across the world, especially during war times.
So, the band members arrived, and we were out of there, as many fans started to arrive and soon the place would be packed with crowds.
On our way out, I found this Cape Sugarbird hiding in a bush.
I think that he was aware that humans set something up in his territory.
An interesting name for a band, and I suppose that the reason for the name Posduif was that the band wanted to get their song messages out, but maybe I am wrong, as that is just the way that I see it.
At home I did some postal pigeon research, and this is what I found.
Pigeon post is the use of homing pigeons to carry messages. Pigeons are effective as messengers due to their natural homing abilities. The pigeons are transported to a destination in cages, where they are attached with messages, then the pigeon naturally flies back to its home where the recipient could read the message. They have been used in many places around the world. Pigeons have also been used to great effect in military situations and are in this case referred to as war pigeons.
As a method of communication, it is likely as old as the ancient Persians, from whom the art of training the birds probably came. The Romans used pigeon messengers to aid their military over 2000 years ago. Frontinus said that Julius Caesar used pigeons as messengers in his conquest of Gaul. The Greeks conveyed the names of the victors at the Olympic Games to their various cities by this means.
You can read more about it below in the safe link.
I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All-Rights-Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.