Almost from the beginning of our time here in Bloemfontein I have been intrigued by the sound, size and behavior of this one particular bird. Even it's name, hadeda or hadada, deepening on who you talk to or where you look on the internet, has been a curiosity to me.
I heard the bird every morning, and often during the day, but I could not identify it at first. Finally I saw it near the front gate of the housing development and I asked the gate keeper what it was called and he told me hadeda. Of course I did not have a camera with me.
From then on I would see or hear the hadeda, but could never find it when I had a camera. It is a rather large bird about 29 to 34 inches tall. It is a grayish brown ibis with a long beak and long legs. I started trying to carry my camera everywhere to get a picture, but invariable if I had a camera I did not see the bird. If I did not have my camera then there he would be mocking me. This battle of the birds was becoming personal.
Finally a couple of days ago we were walking around the neighborhood early in the morning when we came upon not one but three hadadas and I actually had my camera. Celebrate! I took several pictures. They may not be the best, but they are mine. I could have used a professional picture to show you but that just didn't seem right. This was one battle I had to win.
I guess no matter what country or part of the world you are in you are still going to be attracted to the birds. Enjoy every new creature and every new adventure. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteThanks for caring about the blog. It means a lot to me. I guess i am attracted to the birds and most of what I see in nature. It comes from my mom.
ReplyDeleteyou love your birds for sure!! I am glad you finally got your picture! now I am waiting to see a picture of that horse looking thing with horns mom was telling me about. Love you guys
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