SANParks.org Forums

Let me just say that Marabou Storks do urinate on their legs to help them cool down. So I suppose some do have dirty tricks up their sleeves.

Even dust bathing is part of a cleansing ritual. It rids the feathers of mites and some times of excessive oil etc, and extensive preening will follow.

Aren't all females (note yellow eye, dark eye for males) suppose to always be clean?

At east I can say Ive never seen a dirty bird.

'n 'vuil voel' is another story...

Wouldn't know, I'm male!

WTM is entirely correct as to the cleanliness of birds. Even vultures can't wait to "preen" themselves!

Just thought the stork may have recently plunged into the muddy Luvhuvhu!

I recently saw one on a NEST. It was close to Phalaborwa gate. I submitted it to Stiffnecks as part of the EWT and Stiffnecks Project on birdsightings in KNP.

http://www.sanparks.org/groups/birders/

Define "immature picture", please? IMPO, pictures taken in a SANPark, any park, (I might as well say any part of the SA bush) can be any of the following: superb; sorta ok; or "lousy but still special". Immature is a new concept for me...

Here's a pic containing one of each... dark eye, yellow eye and (clean, except for muddy feet) juvenile:

Pic taken from Letaba high bridge, early January 2005.

It used to be in the Public Sightings Gallery (Kruger) once too, but no longer there.

Here are 2 pics of one of the two seen at Shitlhave Dam in April...

Wow, stunning shots Mgoddard

Joques, very clever!

Mgoddard, how the hell did you get that resolution and focus!?

(Too much money... )

Thanks DB.....

Richprins, not at all...I only have a 70-200 and a 1.4x convertor, but was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time...there were 2 of them and we were parked on the upperside of Shitlhave dam as lots of cars...I saw it taking off and yes, the gods smiled on me as it came straight for me.... for once my settings were in the right place, how, I still wonder, but it was great
....I posted a video on youtube of an African Fish Eagle also flying straight at me, but what a disaster!! all out of focus) now it that was the same as this pic I would have been jumping over any obstacles you could have put in my way.....one day...not soon..I would have a proper lens to photograph birds Still glad you all like it.

The "it" you can replace with "her" now. As one can see the evidence of a yellow eye(typical of female) and the lack of a yellow wattle(typical of male).

Clown...

During a recent trip in October we were lucky enough to spot at least 6 pairs and several individuals of these lovely birds including this one who appears to be "sitting down" as described early in this thread.

Nice photo

KNP - Nov 2008