The elusive Purple Heron.

First I will open with an unknown Red Masked grass eater.

No time now to research, but this strange visitor does not appear in our local bird book. So he must have slipped into the province from somewhere else.
I have not seen the bird before and it's a new find for me.
Maybe some of you will know what it is?

Right here is the Purple Heron and I got him in a pond.

The purple heron (Ardea purpurea) is a wide-ranging species of wading bird in the heron family, Ardeidae. The scientific name comes from Latin ardea "heron", and purpureus, "coloured purple". It breeds in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The Western Palearctic populations migrate between breeding and wintering habitats whereas the African and tropical-Asian populations are primarily sedentary, except for occasional dispersive movements.

It is similar in appearance to the more common grey heron but is slightly smaller, more slender and has darker plumage. It is also a more evasive bird, favouring densely vegetated habitats near water, particularly reed beds. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush.
Source

By now many of us know the Hadida Ibis and I caught this couple coming over. (Bostrychia hagedash)

I tracked them to their landing in a distant tree.

And I close with another shot of the red masked grass eater.

So whenever we are out on a fairly long walk (I suffer with my knee the next day), my eyes are always open to all things nature. Mother nature can dish up anything at any time and one has to be alert.
Quick action is called for at times and on other occasions one can take leisurely shots of seated birds.

The Purple Heron saw me as I rounded the corner, bot I stopped in my tracks and moved back slowly, until I could only peep at him. I took my shots and then left him in peace to do his thing, as I took a wide birth around him out of his sight.

A bit further on the little red masked bird moved in the long grass and I was happy to get him on camera. Almost at the same time, I heard the familiar scream of the flying Hadedas and swung the camera up to meet with them.
Just a wee bit of action in the bush.

We hope that you have enjoyed the post and a happy new Sunday to all :)

And That's All Friends.

Photos by Zac Smith- All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60HS Bridge camera.

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