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This is a very frustrating little bird to try an photograph as it keeps in the trees and quickly jumps around in the branches. After a number of attempts this was the best I could do. The auto focus on my camera is just too slow to get a sharper pic.


Larger view

Most small birds are busy little creatures, but the fairy flycatcher is doubly so. I had one visiting our backyard in Standerton the past winter and it had me totally frustrated with bum shot after bum shot!

You did well to get this photo, francoisd!

In a bunch of bushes at the Rondavels at Glen Reenen Rest Camp. Kept Duco busy for a while!

IMG_0478 by DvdBergh, on Flickr

Lekker species to get DD, well done!

I assume it's in order to congratulate you on the new addition to your family!

Sorry that you will have to wait another few years before going to Kruger again... Me on the other hand can go just almost every weekend since mine is turning 2!

Thank you Lizet!

No wonder I haven't seen you along the birding routes here in Gauteng the last two years

Ag enjoy hoor.. you deserve it

Lovely photo DotDan

Well done

Laine managed these shots on Saturday at Walter Sisulu.

Magnificent Laine

Mooi, mooi! (very pretty!)

This wonderful creature was immediately added to my 'wish list' when I started birding about a year ago. Does anyone have any tips on how/where/when to spot it in the Pretoria area?

Hi Dugong, traditionally the Voortrekker Monument has been a good spot to find it.

An individual was also present in Bishop bird Park in Centurion last week.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort is another good spot.

Thanks for the tip, wildtuinman. I was extremely fortunate and saw my first Fairy Flycatcher in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden earlier this afternoon; very close to the coffee shop near the waterfall. I tried to take a photograph with my phone, but he was so busy flitting about that it was impossible. Incidentally also saw an Orange-breasted Bushshrike earlier, so all in all a very good day for birding in the Botanical Garden

Great sightings, Dugong!

I would love to go there again soon. Any butterflies around at the moment?

I saw another Fairy at Bishop bird Park, Centurion on Saturday.

It seems to be a great year for them.

Butterflies
I didn't notice any, but wasn't paying particular attention to invertebrates. The Botanical Garden is lovely at the moment and I saw Bar-throated apalises, Tawny-flanked prinias, Chinspot batises, Amethyst and White-bellied sunbirds, Arrow-marked babblers as well as the 'regulars' (Blacksmith and Crowned lapwings, Southern boubous, Bronze mannikins, Red-headed and Cut-throat finches etc.) during a very short walk. Also, some of the fig trees are fruiting at the moment with various birds feasting: Cape white-eyes, Crested and Black-collared barbets, Speckled and Red-faced mousebirds, African green pigeon (saw only one), Dark-capped bulbuls, Grey go-away-birds, and even the odd Karoo thrush.
I'm still on a high about the Fairy Flycatcher though