With the new year in its first week, it’s time to select a few photos which best represent our 2018. In some cases, selection is based on the memory created, in others I just like how the photo turned out, technically and creatively
If you have any favourites, do let me know by adding your comment!
The Places
This was an unusual year for us, in that for the first time in several years we did not journey outside Southern Africa once during the year. But we made up for that with plenty of local trips, such as –
Champagne Valley resort in the Drakensberg
Annasrust Farm Hoopstad (Free State)
Pine Lake Resort near White River (Mpumulanga Province)
Mossel Bay – our second “Home” town
Oaklands Country Manor near Van Reenen (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
La Lucia near Durban (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
Shongweni Dam (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
Onverwacht Farm near Vryheid (Kwa-Zulu Natal)
Kruger Park Olifants camp
Herbertsdale area (Western Cape) – atlasing
Karoo National Park near Beaufort West (Western Cape)
Kuilfontein Guest Farm near Colesberg (Northern Cape)
Verlorenkloof (Mpumulanga)
Lentelus Farm near Barrydale (Western Cape)
The Wildlife
With visits to Kruger National Park, Karoo National Park and Chobe Game Reserve in Botswana, there was no shortage of game viewing opportunities and it turned out to be a great year for Leopards
Kruger National Park
Karoo National Park
Chobe Game Reserve
The eyes have it
Wild but beautiful
Who needs a horse when you have a mom to ride on
Oh, and the news is hippos can do the heart shape with their jaws – they don’t have fingers you see
The Birds
Bird photography remains the greatest challenge – I am thrilled when it all comes together and I have captured some of the essence of the bird
Great Egret flying to its roost
White-fronted Bee-eaters doing what they do best – looking handsome
White-browed Robin-Chat
The usually secretive Green-backed Camaroptera popping out momentarily for a unique photo
African Fish-Eagle – aerial king of the waters
Kori Bustard – heaviest flying bird
Little Bee-eater
Black-chested Snake-Eagle
Crowned Hornbill – he’ll stare you down any day
Kittlitz’s Plover
Large-billed Lark in full song
Village Weaver – busy as a bee
Thick-billed Weaver – less frenetic, more particular about its nest-weaving
African Jacana with juveniles
Juvenile African Jacana – a cute ball of fluff with legs longer than its body
Reed Cormorant with catch
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
White-crowned Lapwing
Wishing all who may read this a 2019 that meets all of your expectations!
Mostly Birding 
Wonderful!
Thank you!
Fabulous shots!
On Sat, Jan 5, 2019 at 3:09 PM Mostly Birding …. and All Things Natural wrote:
> Don Reid posted: “With the new year in its first week, it’s time to select > a few photos which best represent our 2018. In some cases, selection is > based on the memory created, in others I just like how the photo turned > out, technically and creatively If you have any f” >
Thanks Sally!
This must have been very difficult to put together Don, because you had so many terrific photographs through the year!
Thanks Dries, I try and earmark my favourites during the year and then select from those – then I repeat the thinning out until the number of photos is down to a manageable level
SUCH a wonderful array of photographs! I have enjoyed every one of them. If forced to choose I would go for the close-up of the Klipspringer (how did you manage that!) and the action shot of the Little Bee-eater, which is marvellous.
Glad you enjoyed them Anne!
The close-up of the Klipspringer was from a rather freakish moment where the animal stood like a statue on the road’s retaining wall, giving me all the time to frame and refine the photo
All your photos are fabulous, Donald, but I love the bee-eaters!
Thanks Michele – the Bee-eaters are beautiful birds with their striking colours and very photographer friendly too
Hi Don
The photo of the controlled burned caught my eye – must be the composition and combination of colours!
Always enjoy your block!
Hi Pieter
Nice to hear from you and glad you still enjoy my scribblings!
Yes I like that one too – something different. It was quite a thing to be close to the burn – the noise created by the bone dry grasses going up in flame has to be experienced to believe
I watched what the birds were doing and they all got out quickly but were back straight after the burn, finding nicely roasted insect meals
The jacana and chicks – stunning!
Thanks, taken on a Pangolin Safaris boat trip on the Chobe river – their camera and guidance helped
Fantastic selection of images too many jaw droppers to pick a favorite but the Little Bee Eater is a great action shot!
Thanks!
Always a thrill when I’m lucky enough to capture the action