Black-winged Stilt

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

12 January 2014

    This species is widespread throughout the southern hemisphere and breeds in a wide range of wetland habitats. It is unmistakable, characterized by exaggerated long thin legs, which have a pinkish hue, black wings and white underparts. This individual was foraging in the shallows at the edge of Lake Awassa.

Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

12 January 2014

    This species was observed feeding at the shoreline of Lake Awassa. It breeds predominantly in steppe and boreal wetlands and overflies wide areas on its way north; consequently in many parts of southern Europe it is rarely seen as a passage migrant. In late March it will leave its wintering grounds in Africa to fly north to its preferred breeding habitat. 

African Jacana

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

13 January 2014

    There is something inherently appealing about jacanas as they teeter around lily pads on their outrageous feet, often lifting their wings to stabilize their balance. I never tire of seeing them and this juvenile African Jacana was photographed at the edge of Lake Awassa. Adults were there also; unfortunately none within camera range.

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes brevis

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

13 January 2014

     Hornbills are stunning creatures with their outrageous bills which look like they would be impossible to manage, but they are in fact lightweight, and are used with incredible dexterity, enabling the birds to delicately pick the smallest fruit or berry from a branch. The Silvery-cheeked Hornbill is one of the largest of the arboreal hornbills and is unmistakable within its range. Its casque is far and away the largest of any species of hornbill found in Ethiopia, including the ground hornbills.

Juvenile Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

12 January 2014

     The Glossy Ibis is the most cosmopolitan of all the ibises, occurring in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North, Central and South America.

    This juvenile bird was observed feeding in shallow water at the edge of Lake Awassa, Ethiopia. 

Marabou Stork - Only a Mother Could Love One!

Marabou Stork Leptopilos crumenifer

Lakes Ziway and Awassa, Ethiopia

12 January 2014

    Marabou Stork is a strange and fearsome-looking creature indeed. It looks as though it was put together by someone with a malevolent streak. Neither its appearance, nor its behaviour, do much to endear it to humans, but it fills its niche in nature with finessse and expertise, and being pleasing to our eyes is hardly part of its role. Where it surpasses all of our expectations is when it takes to the air revealing itself to be a graceful and consummate flier.

Male and female

Female

With Africa Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus

Waiting for fish scraps

Ever the Opportunist

Cut-throat Finch at Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata

Lake Awassa, Ethiopia

12 January 2014

    I still have hundreds upon hundreds of photographs to edit following my return from Ethiopia last night, and a trip report to write, so you can bet that I am going to be busy for a while! Based on what I have edited so far, this little Cut-throat Finch (oh so aptly named) stood out, and seemed to be begging for a blog posting.

    It was seen along the shoreline of Lake Awassa, towards the end of a day when we recorded over 180 species, a staggering total. There were many highlights but this species is certainly one of the most memorable.