Swinging Speckled Mousebird

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I was actually in the middle of an attempt to get a nice clean shot of a black sunbird when this guy came up with this nice pose. I could not let the opportunity go. Snapped in the garden.

Common sharpening & light adjustments in LR.

All C & C's welcome.

Nikon D600
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED + TC14E II (420mm)
F/7.1 | 1/1000s | 800 ISO | tripod

[Marina Scarr]

Interesting name on this bird, and it's quite unique looking. Not easy to get the entire bird in the frame with a tail this long! Good pose. I only wish for less distracting BG so the bird would stand out more, but I would have clicked for this one too!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tobie, great HA, and well done for cutting off the tail. I actually like the scruffy tail, and I like how he's holding onto the tiny branch.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Interesting name on this bird

Thanks for looking & commenting Marina! I'm not sure where the name comes from but I can guess (the 'educated' name is Grey Lourie). This bird is a Southern African hunter's biggest nightmare as it tends to fly out ahead of you from tree to tree, warning all wildlife to get away. So either it got its name from warning the animals ('go away'!) or from the hunters' thoughts once detected by the bird. They are real clowns and fun to watch (when you're not a hunter)! I might place another of the same bird but I first have to get enough power to brace myself against comments as it's having a meal right inbetween the branches in that version!

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Ha ha! I've realised with a shock (and some blushing ) that I've confused this bird with go-away birds I've snapped in the same tree! This is a Speckled Mousebird (if a moderator could change the title to 'Swinging Speckled Mousebird' I'd really appreciate that! I'm a little surprised that one of my respected SA colleages have not picked it up but on the other hand these birds very much reflect a smaller version of the Go-away bird and the differences are not too obvious on a photo.

Marina that does not change anything I've said about the Go-away birds - I'll now have to post a pic of one, be on the lookout for it!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tobie, changed your title. Im guilty, didnt even realise you had the incorrect name. Must be the heat.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Hi Tobie, changed your title. Im guilty, didnt even realise you had the incorrect name. Must be the heat.

Thanks so much Stu! Easy to overlook the name as these birds look so similar (other than size). Not sure what I was thinking of when I placed it!