My 300th post is a short one with just one photo of one bird – but I have reason to celebrate both…
The bird in question is a Common Quail – so what’s the big deal I hear you think. Well if I tell you that I’ve heard this bird calling a few hundred times during my birding and atlasing travels over 35 years or so, but have seen it just once before, so briefly that there was no chance to get a photo, then you may appreciate my excitement about my experience last week.
I was out atlasing in the early morning not far from our new home in Mossel Bay and heard the familiar call of Common Quail almost every time I stopped. There were numbers of Larks and other birds in the gravel road and along the verges, then I noticed something different up ahead and raised my binos once more – it was a Common Quail, in fact a pair that were walking along the edge of the gravel amongst grass tufts.
With my heart pumping I grabbed my camera, checked settings and fired away even though the Quails were not ideally positioned and not close enough to achieve sharpness, but I was ecstatic that I had at last seen this bird clearly and at least had a reasonable record photo.
Mostly Birding 
Congratulations on both counts! I hope to read many more of your interesting blog posts 🙂 🙂
Much appreciated Anne – and thanks for all the positive comments you provide with such regularity!
AAh well done, understand your excitement completely. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Pat – it’s the small things that excite birders
Thanks Pat – it’s always encouraging to get feedback
Oh Well Done on getting a photo of the quail. As you so rightly state he is often heard but seldom seen. I think, I too, have only seen him once. Keep blogging – love your posts
Thanks for the encouragement !
Congratulations on the photograph and the post milestone, Don!
Thanks Dries – I always appreciate your feedback