The Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath), also known as the Giant Heron, is the largest heron in the world.
A younger Goliath Heron
They have a huge range in Africa but I can only recall seeing them during the Zambezi River Cruise in Livingstone and the sunset cruise at Kunene River Lodge.
Nice close ups here!
Fish for lunch!
Crocodile for dinner!
The Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) also commonly referred to as the Rufous Night Heron, and in Melanesia as Melabaob, is a medium-sized heron.
I can’t tell if this bird from Kakadu Yellow Waters is admiring himself or looking for food!
They have a large range in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, and throughout much of Australia except the arid inland. A small colony has also established near Wanganui, New Zealand.
Go away and let me sleep!
Beautiful close-ups here!
After doing a 3 hour hike on the Coquereli Circuit in the morning, we decided to do a more relaxing tour of Lac Ravelobe in Ankarafantsika in the afternoon.
As you can see, the Circuit Bateau on Lac Ravelobe is 20,000 Ariary per person with a 2 person minimum. As it happened, my husband and I were the only ones on the boat besides the boat driver and the guide.
It’s a beautiful, relaxing trip during which we saw lots of water birds – herons, egrets and even a fish eagle! The trip lasts only an hour which was a bit disappointing, I would have preferred to stay out a couple hours. I was hoping for Kingfishers but struck out.
Humblot’s Heron
A crocodile gives us they eye!
Madagascar Purple Heron
Allen’s Gallinule
We had to get out and walk a bit to see the Fish Eagle. He remained far away so I couldn’t get a good shot.
Malagasy Pond Heron
Local fishing, apparently he isn’t afraid of the crocodile!
Local kids checking us out!
Another fisherman
Although the Cape Parrots were by far the main attraction, there are some other birds to keep an eye out for in and around King William’s Town.
High up on a hill just in front of the hospital are a few trees with hundreds of birds – herons, egrets, ibises all crowding together in a few select trees. The sight and sounds of these birds has to be seen to be believed!
Undaunted by the larger birds, it’s business as usual for these little Cape Weavers.
I’m not sure if this pond has a name but it does attract a lot of different waterbirds such as various ducks and geese. I forgot to take notes so hopefully someone can help me identify them. Sadly there is a lot of rubbish dumped around the pond by locals which made me a bit uncomfortable being around there. What kind of people would want to spoil what would otherwise be a nice, peaceful area?
