Surprise visitor my free theme today!
Natal robin came in to enjoy a bath right at the end of day a lovely surprise for me. Seeing this fleetingly during the mornings between the thicket of low hanging bushes bordering the garden.
Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis are secretive, enjoy foraging on the ground, known for imitations of 40 other species in their call ability, also able to learn to whistle like a human or attempt a barking dog.
This remarkable medium sized bird around 16cm in length is monogamous. I have never found their nesting site perhaps one day clambering around the bushes I may get lucky I doubt it, they often use holes in trees!
The orange/brown or pumpkin orange underparts and face, with striking steel-blue wings and back, some flashes in tail feathers that contrast, hidden beautifully inside forest patches.
These photographs really were are a once off with luck on my side, sitting outdoors with sun going down I noticed slight movement then saw it fly down to the water feature used specifically for the birds to drink or swim in. Water pump was off at the time, this Natal robin landed in the water, not waiting a quick drink then short bathing session simply stood it's ground with me a couple of foot away capturing delightful relatively shots.
Without second thought I stepped back and it flew straight back into the thick undergrowth I have encouraged for the birds to enjoy, patience or good luck is always the name of the game with birds coming and going.
Thanks for visiting Feathered Friends, Entry to #SMAP No. 166 - Bird Contest with host @nelinoeva Birds - FREE THEME
Feathered Friends Community gratitude to @melinda010100 for sponsoring the contest. Our talented artist @barbara-orenya for on-going creative support and curation reports.
All photography and stories are my own, photography taken out and about, thanks for reading and visiting here.
Thought for Today: "Having beauty doesn't mean understanding the perseverance of marriage." - African Proverb
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You and the birds are cool buddies, not a surprise as they often visit you.
Have a lovely Sunday
!PIZZA
Many little and larger visitors going around the garden, always excited with camera in hand to take regular walks. Another sunny warm day in Durban after some light rain last night, washed the dust off the leaves !LOLZ
Lol I can imagine camera in hand act, photography lovers go on like that, anticipating and ready for the next shot
Never know what is around the next corner ever....
Hello lady @joanstewart
What a beautiful bird, I really like the color of its feathers, the pumpkin color and the blue combine very well
Birds can teach us about fashionable colours.
The bird is looking cute in the images. A great entry for the contest. Good luck with it.
Thanks for visiting and enjoying a little gem in our country.
Thank you for the nice information about the bird.😊
Winter here it starts to get dark earlier, thanks for visiting and a pleasure sharing.
You're welcome.😊
Wonderful! Able to mimic other animals? What a talented bird!
So clever keeping in hiding, yet everyone know you there by vocalizing 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Oh my goodness it's so cute... For real I wish I even had one😍😍😍 it just gave you a surprise visit 😂😂
As free as a bird, have a fun day further and thanks for visiting.
It was a pleasure visiting your blog.. can't wait for the next one 🥰🥰
Great photos... they are such cute birds!
Lovely big round shaped eyes, pond is positioned into a corner not offering me the opportunity of capturing the many visitors in there, Oh well it is for the birds....
Hello dear friend @joanstewart, how are you?
I didn't know that this beautiful bird could imitate so many other species of birds, what a charming bird.
Beautiful photographs, you always surprise us with beautiful birds.
Have a lovely afternoon
I was more surprised with shy bird coming in for a drink with me being outside. Thanks and have a lovely day.
It's like an orange version of the American Robin.
Lost cousins over the big blue, definitely very similar.
Beautiful bird my friend.
love the color fo the bird, and you are so lucky that they come at the right place and the right time. : )
!LUV !PIZZA
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Birds see me passing regularly throughout the day, perhaps they realize you mean them no harm, coming in on their normal daily time.
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@ekavieka(1/5) tipped @joanstewart
!LADY
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Thanks Ladies of Hive, have a wonderful day!
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Life is what we make of it. It's mostly in the mind.
Best wishes from garden route.
Only way to find balance is being in nature. Another day of sunshine after some light rain last night, life in a beautiful country.
That's wonderful to hear Joan, you're right we're staying for the beautiful natural surroundings and weather he he.
Best time of the year in our province now with cooler weather, still odd days hot but not as intense 🙃
So beautiful and so colourful. A distant cousin of Eurasian robin too.
I am impressed every time when bird imitates different sounds. It must be fun to hear dog barking and to appear this bird.😀
Birds always teaching us new tricks, they are clever!
Capturing a bird on camera is the most difficult task, even if it is a small bird or one that is moving or jumping very fast on the ground. Got a lot of information about Natal robin in your post. The Natal robin in your photograph is also beautiful. @joanstewart
Much happens once you step outside, life never stands still long enough to argue or shout, simply live life to the full in wildlife.