32 thoughts on “Contact”

    1. Hi Karin
      Unfortunately I don’t arrange group trips but if you let me know what trips you have in mind I can possibly point you in the right direction.

      Reply

  2. Hello Don.
    I am looking to get in touch with Douglas or Francis .
    We are looking to trip with them.
    Could you forward there details
    Thanking you Tristan

    Reply

  5. Hi Don I am working on a poster on deforestation for Gorongosa National Park. You have a photo of charcoal taken in the area. I am happy to credit you and send a draft for you to look at. Would you mind if I use the photo.

    Reply

  6. Hi Don, just read your blog mentioning Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s Lookout – I think you will be delighted to know that Addo Tourism received funding from the Sarah Baartman Dustrict Municipality and we have just completed a complete refurb of the place. Would love to show you when you are in the Addo area again. We will be introducing the new look Lookout to all on the 5th of April.

    Reply

  7. Hello Don
    I have birded since youth and now, in retirement, have taken up photographing birds. Not as good as yours but practise will help. I very much enjoy your blogs – have just read your Namaqualand trip as I’m thinking of doing one in 2023.
    Thanks very much
    Kathie

    Reply

    1. Hi Kathie, glad you enjoy the blogs and thanks for letting me know!
      I did it the other way around – started photography in my youth and only took up birding in my 40’s (which is now a long time ago!)
      Bird photography has been an absolute joy in retirement – good luck with your efforts
      Regards
      Don

      Reply

      1. I have really struggled with photigraphy lessons – doing course now with DPC photography – not really helpful – do you know people eho help with burd photography??

        Sent from my iPhone

        >

      2. I don’t have any particular contacts for photography lessons but can say that I learnt by field experience and reading photography magazines. Nowadays there is so much advice available on the internet – google “bird photography tips” and you will find a lot of advice. But it’s a bit overwhelming at first.
        I don’t know what camera you have but I use a Sony “bridge camera” which is somewhere between a “proper” DSLR and a “Point and shoot”
        I try and keep it simple by using standard settings as much as possible. so I keep it in Aperture mode and on the maximum aperture setting which on my camera is f2.4. The only adjustments I make are (1) the ISO setting which I set at around 400 and increase if the light is not good or the subject is in shade and (2) the Exposure Compensation up or down depending on whether the subject is bright or dark/backlit or not. White balance can be left on Auto mode.
        Hope this makes some sense

  8. Hi Don – I live in the USA (previously from Pretoria). You posted a picture of the Boer Memorial on Spioenkop with the names of Burghers who fell at Spioenkop listed. Would it be possible to receive a higher resolution picture (jpg) via email from you? I’m desperately looking for my Great Grandfather who we believe died on Spioenkop (24 Jan 1900). Much appreciated if you can let me know. Thanks Charl

    Reply

  9. Any recommendations for someone, or an outfit, I can connect with for a birding tour of Kruger NP? I’ll be arriving in Johanessburg from the US next week. I’d also be interested in exploring the Pololwane area. My birding experience is largely restricted to the US.

    Reply

    1. I have not had personal experience of a birding guide in Kruger area but I know of a company that specialises in bird guiding there – have a look at naturetravelkruger.com – hope you have a great tour – I’m sure you will find it special, and pretty hot at this time of year!

      Reply

  10. Hi Don…enjoyed your post on cormorants at Wilderness. I’m just getting into birding and one thing that I’ve been struggling with is telling a crowned cormorant and reed cormorant apart. They seem extremely similar…apparently one has a slightly longer tail and the crowned cormorant has a slightly more pronounced crown…but when looking at birds myself and consulting pictures online, I don’t see a difference. Any tips? It seems a bit of a sketchy shortcut to just assume one of these birds must be crowned if it’s on the coast and reed if it’s inland.

    Reply

    1. Hi Alex
      An interesting comment – unfortunately I don’t have any tips other than the ones you have mentioned. When a renowned expert such as Faansie Peacock mentions in his excellent app called Firefinch that it’s “difficult to tell from Reed Cormorant. They are usually separated by habitat (marine vs freshwater) but may occur close together at e.g. estuaries” then that’s probably the best advice you will get

      Reply

  11. Good morning

    I am currently visiting in Sutherland Northern Cape and spotted a Sugarbird in a flowerbed full of Redhot Pokers.

    Surely this is most unusual?

    Would love your input.

    Cornelia Lewis

    Reply

    1. Hi Cornelia, that is certainly unusual. I checked the SABAP records and the closest record is about 30 kms southeast of Sutherland but other than that the records don’t go much further north than Matjiesfontein. If there is any chance you can get a photo it would be an interesting record for the Northern Cape. Enjoy Sutherland!

      Reply

      1. Hi Don Reid

        Thank you ever so much for your reply!

        Attached are two photos (poor quality I know) but I also have a video of the Sugarbird happily singing away.

        Is this a little female?

        I look forward to hearing from you.

        Should you be on whatsapp I can send you more details if you like?

        Kind regards Cornelia Lewis

      2. Hallo Don

        I do so look forward to your input with regards to the photos I have sent? Cornelia Lewis

  12. The information regarding the Ongoye/Ngoye/Ngoya Forest is completely outdated.

    All the facilities have been destroyed, there is no gate, no offices, and no manager, nor is their general workers to maintain the access roads. We were there over the weekend and all the roads leading into the forest are blocked with fallen trees.

    I do NOT currently recommend visiting this forest. It has been neglected, facilities have been completely destroyed, and it does not appear that it is being maintained as a safe hiking destination. Please be aware.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the information – I was last there 7 years ago. It is still being offered as a birding destination by various guides – anyone considering visiting the forest should make use of one of the accredited guides who know the area and circumstances.

      Reply

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