Catching the fast flyers coming in on the zoom.

I saw the swallows landing on a peg the last time that we visited and decided this time to try and get them as they land.

And I was surprised at the clarity that I could get in that split second that they slow down to land.

Make no mistake, these are fast flyers and they speed around all over at the dam. Some of them even lay claim to a specific peg and the other swallows would bomb them in a territorial battle. At our next visit here, I am going to try and get a swallow on camera in the bombing action, as they strike from behind the sitting swallow to try and dislodge it from the peg.
Not so different from the crows and other birds in their territorial battles.
Come and see.

This is a White-throated Swallow (Hirundo albigularis). They are summer visitors, as they are inter Africa breeding migrants and they have nests under a bridge at the dam.

The pegs are placed around the dam in order to tie the rope network for the floats that the dam cleaners use to scoop the algae off the surface of the dam.
As I said, I was on my zoom and the distance was about 50 meters.

This below is a sequence of another swallow coming in to land on a different peg.

A flare of the wings to stop the speed.

And a bit of a maneuver to land properly in the wind.

After a few minutes he took off again.

And finally I will show you a much slower bird that is easy to get on camera.
It is a Red-knobbed coot feeding its baby. (Fulica cristata)

We live a life of running around between the charity projects when the power is on, and when the power is off we dash to places in nature to show you the beauty. We currently have four power cuts per day, and it is really putting all people on great edge, as it is impossible for some to handle the power cuts. It puts everyone in a bad mood, and one has to walk around on eggs in an effort to stay kind. I can understand the moods, especially after the severe Covid lockdowns that we had, as everyone was scared that death was waiting for them around the corner. This resulted in some severe insecurities and a great mistrust between people, in fear that they might be infected. Never a good thing and now, with the incessant power cuts, it has only made matters worse.

Hope is our weapon, and we treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of whether or not they are paupers or kings.
Such is life.

I hope that you have enjoyed the story and the pictures.

And That's All Friends.

Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.

Thank you kindly for supporting a post on behalf of @papilloncharity