Amazing South Africa

Wow. Just. Wow.

Peggy (@tui) and I loved our trip in South Africa, with Alvaro's Adventures and Rockjumper Tours. Keith Valentine + Alvaro Jaramillo (@alvarojaramillo) meant we had TWO world-class leaders, as well as two world-class human beings. The other participants were, to a person, interesting, patient and engaging. The trip as a total saw over 310 species of birds, over 30 mammals, and a host of other interesting beings. I am proud to say that I entered (as of today, when the bulk of the uploading has been completed) 1,114 entries here on iNaturalist, currently totaling 434 species. This is the best virtual tourbook I've ever assembled.

The quality - such as it is - of my IDs owes a lot to the remarkable iNat community of South Africa. thanks especially to @happyasacupcake , @tonyrebelo , @vynbos , @alanhorstmann , @jurga_li (not in SA but great on lichens), @alexanderr (herps, man! wow!), @colin25 , and others I am forgetting at the moment (I should have kept a list...). You were all gracious with this newbie to South Africa, and the fastest group of folks on bird subspecies I have ever encountered!

Much to my surprise, after only two weeks in South Africa - the country whose municipality of Cape Town smashed the competition in the City Nature Challenge - I made the leader board for number of observations, with 1, 114, good for 87th place (currently). Must return one day to retain my position!

While I presume everyone able to get to a journal post on iNaturalist would also know how to navigate my calendar, here's the day-by-day outline of our trip.

May 29 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/5/29
May 30 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/5/30 (Kirstenbosch day)
May 31 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/5/31 (Cape of Good Hope day)
June 1 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/1 (pelagic day)
June 2 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/2 (Rockjumper to Strandfontain)
June 3 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/3 (West Coast National Park)
June 4 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/4 (Karoo)
June 5 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/5 (Ceres to Cape Town)
June 6 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/6 (transit to Zebra Hills)
June 7 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/7 (first full Manyoni day)
June 8 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/8 (second full Manyoni day)
June 9 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/9 (Mkuzi day)
June 10 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/10 (third full Manyoni day)
June 11 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/11 (fourth full Manyoni day)
June 12 - https://www.inaturalist.org/calendar/gyrrlfalcon/2019/6/12 (Manyoni morning farewell to Durban)

It is entirely possible that I made some local iNaturalist converts while in South Africa...I do what I can!

Thanks again to everyone involved!

Jennifer

Posted on June 20, 2019 05:46 PM by gyrrlfalcon gyrrlfalcon

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)

Observer

gyrrlfalcon

Date

June 11, 2019 06:55 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur chalcospilos)

Observer

gyrrlfalcon

Date

June 11, 2019 07:17 AM SAST

Description

I could not get enough of this scintillating beauty of a bird! Reminded me of the Common Ground-Dove in North America (also a deeply emotional favorite)

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern African Giraffe (Giraffa giraffa ssp. giraffa)

Observer

gyrrlfalcon

Date

June 11, 2019 08:38 AM SAST

Photos / Sounds

What

Bennett's Woodpecker (Campethera bennettii)

Observer

gyrrlfalcon

Date

June 11, 2019 10:29 AM SAST

Description

An unusual sighting for this location

Photos / Sounds

What

Scarlet Tip (Colotis annae ssp. annae)

Observer

gyrrlfalcon

Date

June 11, 2019 04:26 PM SAST

Comments

Well done on all the great obs, gyrrlfalcon. It's been fun seeing your obs being added and following your trip around our country. Next time you head our way let me know and we'll hit the veld together.

Posted by vynbos almost 5 years ago

Will do, @vynbos

Posted by gyrrlfalcon almost 5 years ago

I enjoyed my virtual tour with you and was amazed by all your observations. I'm glad your trip was such a success.

Posted by happyasacupcake almost 5 years ago

Thanks, @happyasacupcake ! It was an amazing journey...

Posted by gyrrlfalcon almost 5 years ago

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