When lockdown started, they had to confine their walk to the garden but sometimes broke the rules by strolling down our culde-sac. One day, from the moment we left the property, Pipa started acting strangely, putting her nose to the ground and tracking back and forth across the road. Molly, unusually, stayed back. Soon we realised why, as we noticed a Spotted Eagle-Owl sitting under a tree. By this stage, we were already within 15 metres of it. Mum picked up Pipa and I ran back to fetch my camera. The owl was still there when I got back and I was able to capture a few nice images.
MIKE STANIFORTH
HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE
Every morning at about 06h00, sparrows, doves and weavers gather for their seed breakfast in our small backyard, overseen by a bunch of dozy Speckled Mousebirds sunning themselves in the bottlebrush in the corner (above).
Recently one morning this peaceful scene, as usual accompanied by much tweeting, twittering and cooing, changed dramatically when there was an explosion of frantic activity and noise.
Running outside, I was just in time to see a Burchell’s Coucal fly offwith something in its beak. After collecting my camera and walking around the neighbourhood for a while, I saw the bird in a tree in a bushy area at the edge of our suburb (below). Careful stalking allowed me to get close enough to photograph the bird and identify its victim – one of the mousebird sunbathers.
As is often the case, the beautiful markings and lilting call of this bird mask a very efficient killer.
While I resented the raid on my regular morning visitors and the loss of one of the mousebirds, nature must, as always, take its course.
MICK RUSSELL
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