Have there been two, or maybe four, sunny days up in Oribi Gorge and Paddock since October? I’m not sure. I’ve done quite a number of runs in the rain now, which is often a squelchy, slippery experience to start the day. The distinct advantage of getting outside in this type of weather is the creatures and birds you see up close, of course.
Yesterday, I ran against a side wind with a cap to keep the drizzle out of my eyes. The mighty Mzimkulu was still all wrapped up in its fluffy cloud duvet.
First, I chased some hadedas out of the wet grass. I definitely think I got more of a fright at the four of them suddenly bursting out of the wet grass and shouting at me while they flapped furiously. When it’s rainy like this, the jog also involves continuously jumping over slugs on the road. There was even a black, tarry ‘present’ to jump over that looked like a baboon had dumped it there.
As I came up to the one section, I spotted a small silver bird on the wire. It was bigger than a dove but not nearly as big as the pair of buzzards that sit there every day. I got closer, expecting it to fly away. It didn’t. It seemed to be stretching after waking up from a nap. Maybe it wasn’t an early bird like me.
I got right under it, and saw it was a beautiful black-shouldered kite. We get them here, but not as much as I used to see when we travelled to Harrismith or Underberg. It looked so clean and fresh, probably thanks to all this rain. I considered trying to snap a photo with my very inadequate cellphone, but that would’ve scared it away I think. So, I just kept moving. It didn’t budge.
On the way back, it was still in its spot, looking out over the field in search of breakfast. It looked more awake but didn’t fly away. They say these birds sit in one spot for hours or even days to hunt before moving on to another prime location.
I wonder what the resident jackal buzzard thinks of this feisty little competitor for dormouse, cane rat, and four-striped fieldmouse? It’s only here for some of the year, so maybe they don’t mind. I would ask the hadedas, guineafowls, and Natal spurfowls if they weren’t so loudly protesting my presence.
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