Almost a non-bird post :)
On the Kazinga channel, in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, this past August, on a school or pod of hippopotamus…a Yellow-billed Oxpecker works the hippos’ backs. Almost not a bird shot at all! The density of hippos in the Kazinga Channels is as high as any waters in Africa. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th.
Black-headed Gonolek
Black-headed Gonolek: Irungu Forest Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, August 2022 — One of the more common birds of Uganda, but it can be shy. Patience pays and good views are worth waiting for. They are skulkers in the brush, but they like to sit up higher and sing. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Another Sunbird from the gardens at Irungu Forest Lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda in August. Scarlet-chested Sunbird…not to be confused with the Red-chested! I posted this bird from Chimpanzee Forest Lodge near Kibale National Park. We saw it there as well. A brilliant bird! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 640 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
White-browed Robin-Chat
White-browed Robin-Chat: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, August 2022 — One of the more common and wide-spread birds in Uganda, the White-browed Robin-Chat is frequent in both field and garden. We found this one at Irungu Forest Lodge while waiting for lunch time. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. IS0 160 and 1000 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Backlit shot plus 1EV.
Red-chested Sunbird
When I said we had left the Sunbirds behind in Kabale, I was, of course, exaggerating. Our first stop at Queen Elizabeth National Park is always Irungu Forest Lodge, where we have lunch. We always get there early with enough time to bird around the lodge while waiting for lunch to be served. This Red-chested Sunbird was one of many different species we saw there. Brilliant bird! The Scarlet-chested is generally found around water, lakes and marshes, and we were only a mile or so from the Kazinga Channel. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 400 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Brown Snake-Eagle
Brown Snake-Eagle: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, August 2022 — Moving on now from Kabale and Sunbirds and Chimps, we found this Brown Snake-Eagle along the roadside just as we entered the park…evidently to greet us. We had had looks before, but not like this! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th. Plus 1EV.
Primate edition: Vervet Monkey
Another primate from the same stretch of back road between Fort Portal and Hima where we saw yesterday’s Black and White Colobus. The Vervet does not seem to be nearly as prevalent in Uganda as it is in Kenya or South Africa. Among the most “naughty” (as they say in Africa) of the monkeys…we might say mischievous. It is always into something it should not be, has no fear of man, and can open almost any door. I would not put it past them to pick locks! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 1000 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Collared Sunbird
Collared Sunbird: Crater lake near Kibale National Park, Uganda, August 2022 — Male and female Collared Sunbirds from our little walk along the woodlot on the back road from Kabale to Hima. Too far away! Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.
Primate edition: Black-and-white Colobus Monkey
We stopped for a patch of second growth forest along the road just past where it passes between the two Crater lakes, on our way from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth, and were greeted by a troop of Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys…by far the most common primate on this trip. This gentleman (assuming here) was definitely tracking our movements and intent. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/800th.
Little Greenbul
Little Greenbul: Crater lakes near Kibale National Park, Uganda, August 2022 — Another bird from our productive stop between the lakes where the Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters nest. The Little Greenbul is not as spectacular as a Bee-eater, but it is louder! It is in full song here. I had to wonder why it is a “greenbul” and it turns out it is pretty logical. It is green and it is a member of the bulbul family. I will save finding out what a bulbul is a bulbul for another day. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Photo and Apple Photos. ISO 250 @ f4 @ 1/500th.