acacia blossoms

acacia blossoms

Sunday, January 31, 2010

cool boots

So what happened to January? I havent managed to blog too much, but as always enjoying all the lovely writings out there. So much has been happening, and i have wanted to write but time sped past. I hope this is not an indication for the year!! whoa Time, slooow downnnnn. ok?

Just quickly i thought i would share with you some candid pics of black herons fishing in the northern botswana waterways - and their secret footwear.

heads down everyone - budge up

Normally fishing alone, this fishing party is an unusual sight in itself. These birds stalk the shallows, then when they find a fishy spot they spread their wings forming a shade umbrella to which the fish innocently retreat.


there is some jockeying for position





and there is always one..


and then they all fly off to a new spot showing us their deliciously cool yellow orange feet - feet that were perhaps the inspiration for Billy Connoly's famous banana boots?


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a great sighting!!!
thanks for sharing.

I think yellow wellies are going to be my next 'fashion' (or should that be 'Janet') statement

:o)

Val said...

haha thanks Janet - yeah yellow wellies - very cool :-)

Anonymous said...

Excellent captures of such interesting fishermen. I've never seen them huddle in quite so many numbers.

I'm afraid January's speedy passing is my fault...I can't wait for spring...enough winter already!

Val said...

ahha Rob - when we get there can we slow down again? but then you guys have had quite a winter i suppose :-)

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

black raincoats and yellow wellies ... they must have relatives in the far north who give them fashion advice. Thanks for sharing these pictures. It is snowing here today (Montreal) and the temps are way below normal with quite a bite. have you ever tasted winter?

Val said...

oh yes Bonnie - a winter fashion thematic - even the umbrellas - although your winter sounds a lot whiter!! i love snow - but have never lived with it properly. Hope you are keeping well and warm?

Wanda..... said...

You have introduced me to a new bird, Val...an unusual one too! I love the spreading of the wings!

Fire Byrd said...

Oh I'll have to let the English herons that they have a long way to go in the fashion stakes not having such fab yellow boots !
xx

Lyn said...

I always enjoy your posts -- it seems as though there are always some interesting wildlife shots that are refreshingly different from our side of the world. Thanks for sharing!

Anne said...

I enjoyed learning about this bird with it's yellow feet. How interesting. The spreading of the wings. Wow! Thank you for sharing. I do so enjoy coming here.

mermaid gallery said...

fascinating.....love birdwatching from the other side of the world. Their feet are a delight.

Golden To Silver Val said...

How interesting! LOVE the yellow feet! Thank you for this post.

Lori ann said...

Gosh Val! i'd not seen this before, how interesting the way they fish. At first i thought they were standing on hippos. I love the flyaway shot. so cool.
Isn't nature amazing, yellow boots...
xoxo

Val said...

thanks guys - those birds are extraordinary! and i have been thinking - yellow wellies could do much to beat the long winter blues up north. They could make you think of sunshine whenever you see your feet :-)
thanks so much for visiting and leaving your comments - i just love them xxxx V

Angela said...

I actually HAD yellow wellies once! Your herons look quite different from ours, and have a different fishing technique, too. Ours just stand next to a fish pond (often on one leg) and wait till a fish moves (goldfish or koi), then eat them all up. That`s why we refused to take those koi for free when offered.
I also thought at first they were standing on hippos! But great idea, to form these shades. And again, a wonderful post. have I ever said that I just love that C.S. Lewis saying? So true. And your sidebar pictures are fabulous, too! Am I running out of space? Will write you a mail!!

Vagabonde said...

I had never seen birds spreading their wings like that – your post was most interesting. It is great to have you so close to nature and reporting to us this way – your posts are always fun and we learn so much.

Nancy said...

They are so smart to spread their wings. I am always amazed at how smart birds are.

Unknown said...

What a cunning fishing technique! Smart birds. Got to love those yellow "wellies" of theirs! :-)

pink dogwood said...

Wow! - Just amazing -thanks for sharing.

Angela said...

You must go over to Reya`s today! On her first picture you can see someone walk by in yellow wellies!!!!

Kerry said...

So cool. (If I were a fish I hope they wouldn't fool me like that. Bummer.)

e said...

Love the yellow "wellies," always a treat to see your photos, Val!

Cheers!

Sandy said...

Very, very cool. Great Blue Herons are MY favorite bird but these are so interesting!

Charl said...

So nice to see these herons again. Great to see so many together. Thanks for sharing this, Val.

Lorac said...

Hey there! Where have you been? Black Herons are great! I love their little wellies! Thanks for the pics Val!

Reya Mellicker said...

Lovely. All the animals you encounter on a regular basis. It always blows my mind, Val. Thank you.