AFRICAN BIRDLIFE

Along the Okavango River, African Fish Eagle are plentiful. Here, an adult comes down close to the waters surface to catch prey. Okavango River, Botswana

An African Jacana walks on a Lily in search of food in the southern region of the Greater Kruger area. Malelane, Mpumulanga, South Africa

The setting sun rim lights an African Skimmer hunting for food in golden colours of dusk. Okavango River, Botswana

A Cattle Egret in breeding plumage comes in to land at a breeding colony, usually found in big trees. LC Sports Ground, Pretoria, South Africa

A Dark-capped Bulbul bathes in shallow water as the morning sunlight illuminates the birds fully stretched wing just before taking off. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

An adult and juvenile Bearded Vulture engage in a small fight over remains of scraps and bone. At Giants Castle in the Drakensberg Mountains they have constructed a wonderful hide from where to view these magnificent raptors at close quarters, and always provide fantastic opportunities for the wildlife photographer. Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A male Cape Shoveler in flight passing the purpose built bird-watching hide in the Marievale wetland as the first golden rays of sunlight illuminates the scene. Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, South Africa

Numerous waterholes in the Kgalagadi are flocked to by millions of Doves each day, drinking precious water ensuring survival in such an arid climate. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

The very pretty Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove comes down to the drinking edge at Zimanga, lit beautifully by early morning sunlight. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A female Pied Kingfisher takes to the air in search of food, in a different area to which she was hunting before. Distant mountains create a beautiful out of focus background, together with the blue sky creating the two-toned effect. Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, North-West Province, South Africa

A juvenile White-backed Vulture approaches an old Elephant carcass on a golden morning in hopes of scavenging some scraps. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

The small, compact Grey Kestrel flies towards a frequented perch with a small mouse in it's talons. I was incredibly lucky to have captured this bird in flight with prey in talons, and together with a slowish shutterspeed, the wing blur created quite a nice effect showing motion. The Masai Mara is home to many raptors, but this surely is one of my favourite photographs of all raptors captured in the area. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

During the late sunlight hours at the Polentswa waterhole in the Kgalagadi, this Lanner Falcon attempts to hunt the huge amount of Doves that frequent this water source. Here, the bird comes in to land on the barren Earth after an unsuccessful attempt at a meal. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

An adult Jackal Buzzard comes in to land near a rocky ledge in the Drakensberg mountains, at the Lammergeier Vulture Hide, built to conserve the dwindling numbers of the Bearded Vulture population.

A Cape Vulture comes in to land during a late summers morning, high up in the Drakensberg Mountains at Giants Castle. Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

A Juvenile Verreauxs' Eagle displays an impressive wing spread as it lands on a rocky ledge in the Drakensberg. Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Beautiful afternoon sunlight faintly illuminates the landscape in golden hues, back-lighting a beautifully posed Lilac-breasted Roller stretching before take off. Mara Triangle, Masai Mara, Kenya

Perched on a small twig, an adult Malachite Kingfisher scans the water for prey below in the still waters as the golden light of morning compliments the scene with a golden tinge. Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, South Africa

The Masai Mara is not only about the Great Migration and all it's predators. Birdlife abounds in the reserve, and on this occasion a hovering Pied Kingfisher looks for prey in a shallow pool. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The morning sun rises over the highveld to the east, silhouetting and Ostrich as it feeds in the cool, misty air. A small flock of birds fly past, completing the photograph. Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa

Twilight in the sky creates a soft blue hue in the background, complimenting the adult Spotted Eagle Owl perched high up in a tree. Klipriver Farmlands, Gauteng, South Africa

An adult, male Pink-throated Twinspot comes to the drinking edge at the Bhejane Bird Hide to quench a thirst in the heat of the afternoon. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

The golden light of dawn shines onto a male Red-crested Korhaan as he goes about his territorial calling and looking for a mate. A low angle helped diffuse the foliage in front of the bird. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Spending years in a bird hide, waiting for that perfect moment when opportunity, skill and luck meet, resulted in a moment I am very proud of. I have tried to capture a "natural (non-baited)" photograph of a Malachite Kingfisher rising out of the water for many years, and finally my patience and dedication paid of with this image. A special moment in time in my photographic journey. Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, South Africa

Early morning sunlight radiates from the East, settling onto a true serene African scene, the iconic African Fish Eagle perched upon a dead tree welcoming the warmth of the rising summer sun. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Bee-Eaters abound along the banks of the Okavango River during the breeding months. Upwards of over a few hundred nest in colonies along the steep river banks, keeping out of reach of most dangers. Here a beautiful specimen searches for food to bring back to its young. Okavango River, Botswana

A Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill preys on termites emerging from their normally rather large nests. Kruger National Park, South Africa

Most commonly seen at night, the Spotted Thick-knee searches the ground for insects. I photographed this bird on my stomach, crawling through the dirt to obtain a perfect eye-level perspective, using a hand-held spotlight for illumination. Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Gauteng, South Africa

An adult Swallow-tailed Bee-Eater comes in to land after an unsuccessful hunt for insects. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, South Africa

I photographed this Spotted Eagle Owl in a complex I lived at in Johannesburg, using a torch to illuminate the bird from the side and using distant house lights adding to the dark background. These owls nested in our complex every summer. Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

White-necked Ravens are very pesky birds to Raptors. Here, one tries to attack a Juvenile Bearded Vulture in mid-air. Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Early morning sunlight warms the scene, illuminating an incoming Cape Vulture with an impressive wing display. Giants Castle Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

An adult Woodland Kingfisher displays to another adult swiftly approaching. Zimanga Private Nature Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa