A feeling of elation lingers as the soft rain which has fallen over the last two days, soaks into the parched earth and the raindrops glisten like jewels. The dam levels supplying Cape Town’s needs are still way below par but through this respite we can visibly see the vegetation greening up and the first signs of spring are emerging. Through my dining room window there’s a buzzing scene. Wagtails are in-coming carrying nesting material, while the sugarbirds and sunbirds flit about foraging for nectar. The protea pincushions (Leucospermum) are coming into bloom though i still put out the occasional bottle of sugar water (fructose/sucrose formula) for the sunbirds.
The ‘tweeting’ going on is full of robust conversation; the wagtail pair call constantly with urgency – “Where are you, where? Bring in the next twigs, need fluff, fluff?” While the sugarbirds have the gruff throaty voice of nightclub singers; deep and croaky. They have the least melodious of songs while the dainty sunbirds have ‘chirp’; full of small bird attitude. My guidebook describes their calls as a wheezy single “tsearp” or double “teer-turp”. And with that, a jubilant “hallelujah” from all of us here on the rainy shores of the Cape Peninsula.
Nature on the Edge 
Wonderful! 😊
Thanks Mary 🙂
Lovely captures
Oh wow, such gorgeous captures Liz. I can’t get over how beautiful these birds are.
Hallelujah indeed – we received 5mm today and are revelling in the damp, sweetly scented air whilst hoping for more rain tomorrow. You describe the longed-for rain so beautifully.
Thanks Anne, and may it continue to pour! Lovely to read your comments and appreciate that rain scented earth.
Overjoyed to hear that you are finally receiving some rain, Liz!
Sjoe! we need it! As i remember your scenes up there in the north.
Holding thumbs that the outcome will be the same for the Cape Provinces!
Yes please! The City is making contingency plans for summer. We’re busy putting in Jojo tanks while still praying that there is more rain to come!
beautiful………
Thanks Sudhir,
And such impressive tail feathers!
Aren’t they marvelous / dance accoutrements :). Watched a male displaying the other day -dipping and soaring and swooping with loop-the-loops. Magnificent.
Very beautiful images.
Alison
Thank you / the rain is so restorative / there’s a joyous note there 🙂
There’s nothing like the hallelujah chorus of spring… rejoicing with you!
Thank you! The chorus is rising and harmony fabulous 🙂
Beautiful pictures 🙂
Hi Liz beautiful “Speldekussings – Proteas” we also do the bottle to attract birds but you are more successful in capturing them (not sure if I should smile or cry 🙂 )
You make me smile Abrie. And how come speldekussings looks more figurative than pincushion? Maybe I have one up when it comes to shooting birds but not on earthmoving equipment :). You have me there.