Yellow-legged Gull, Casablanca, Morocco
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco
It has been a few months since I shared some of the bird photos I took while on a six week overseas holiday a year ago. I’ve already shown the bird photos I took in Ethiopia when we were visiting our daughter. To see these photos, go to the Archives of this site and scroll down the page until you get to the posts about Ethiopia.
After our stay in Ethiopia we flew to Morocco via Cairo for a two week tour of the country. This was primarily a cultural tour, so the opportunities for serious birding were very limited. I took every opportunity to get a few bird photos along the way, as time and circumstances allowed.
On our first morning in Casablanca we visited the enormous and beautiful Hassan II Mosque, shown in the photo above. You can see more photos of this wonderful building on my other site, Trevor’s Travels.
While we were waiting outside for our guided tour of the mosque, I noticed a few bird species flying around, or perching as in the photos below. I managed to identify Cattle Egret, Rock Dove (many around the mosque), Common Starling, Common Blackbird and what I think is Yellow-legged Gull. I don’t have a bird guide to the birds of Morocco, so I’ve had to rely on online resources. If any more experienced birder can identify these birds correctly, please let me know in the comments.
I apologise for the poor quality of the photos.
Yellow-legged Gull, Casablanca, Morocco
Yellow-legged Gull, Casablanca, Morocco
Yellow-legged Gull, Casablanca, Morocco
Review: Brushed by Feathers
Cover of brushed by Feathers
Review: Brushed by feathers: a year of birdwatching in the west by Frances Wood (2004, Fulcrum Publishing, Colorado).
What a delightful book. I was given a copy by someone (a friend of a friend) who attended one of my bird talks. I am normally reluctant to let people lend me books to read, no matter how interesting the subject matter because I have so many books and magazines of my own waiting for my attention. Still, out of politeness I accepted this title, and I’m so pleased that I did.
At first I only read a few pages in bed before turning off the light. As I moved further into the text I became hooked – no, spellbound. This is one special book, and all about birds I know nothing about. The author lives on Puget Sound in Washington State near the Pacific Ocean. It is a significant body of water for many water-bird species and the hinterland a passageway for many other migrating species.
The book is an account of a year, month by month, in the birding life of one small area: the author’s small acreage around her home – with occasional trips elsewhere or reminiscing accounts of earlier trips and experiences. From the Barn Swallows nesting under the eaves to various hummingbirds visiting her feeder through to rare encounters, the author takes the reader on a journey of wide-eyed, wondering and fascinated observations of the daily lives of her feathered friends.
Her descriptions of the house and garden, the local environment, weather and daily happenings take the reader into her confidence until we feel almost part of her family. Her lyrical style draws the reader on from bird to beautiful bird, each described with care – as if each was her personal favourite.
The author’s web page can be seen here.
Highly recommended.
Dusky Turtle Dove sunning itself, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dusky Turtle Dove, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I delight in getting good photos of birds when I go out birding. Sometimes a great shot presents itself with little planning on my part. On this occasion this Dusky Turtle Dove in Addis Ababa last December was not aware of my presence high up on the other side of a small stream. My camera was at full zoom so I was pleased with the result, a nice clear photo.
You can read more about my encounters with this species here, including the frustration of getting good photos of it in poor lighting conditions.
Olive Thrush, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
1 Comment »1st May, 2012; Category: Non-Australian birds
Olive Thrush, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Late last year during my visit to my daughter who was teaching in Ethiopia I spent quite a few hours exploring the gardens and adjacent small forest of the school campus. During these times was able to get a few nice photos of the birds I saw.
Included in the species seen was the Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus) shown in the photos on today’s post. This particular bird was quiet and didn’t seem to mind me focussing on it. Despite the shade of the forest making the light conditions rather poor, I did manage several reasonable shots.
The Olive Thrush of East Africa is found throughout the higher altitudes of the region and is relatively common in forests, wooded areas and park and large gardens with plenty of trees. Its diet consists of spiders, various insects, fruit, worms and snails.
Olive Thrush, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Olive Thrush, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Baglafecht Weaver, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No Comments »22nd April, 2012; Category: Non-Australian birds
Baglafecht Weaver (non-breeding) in Addis Ababa
Today I feature photos of the Baglafecht Weaver in Addis Ababa.
I think I have the identification of this bird correct. If any of my readers can enlighten me I’d really appreciate the help because I can’t find all that much information about this species online. Sure – I can find heaps of fine photos of this bird in breeding plumage. At that stage it takes on a bright yellow plumage with a black face mask. Only remnants of those bright colours remain in the non-breeding plumage of the bird shown in today’s photos.
These photos were taken on the campus of Bingham International School in Addis Ababa where my daughter was teaching last year. I also found a number of nests nearby which were clearly made by a weaver.
Baglafecht Weaver (non-breeding) in Addis Ababa
Baglafecht Weaver (non-breeding) in Addis Ababa
Baglafecht Weaver (non-breeding) in Addis Ababa