Aruna's Real Africa: Sunbirds in Winter

First of all I have to apologize for not posting for so long. Life got in the way with all sorts of stuff. Some of it was bad: personal stuff, internet and computer problems, power cuts; some of it was good; personal stuff, business start up, driving license. But all of it was time consuming and stressful and meant that I also didn’t get out into the bush much either.

And then of course it was winter over here. Although it doesn’t come with inches of snow and polar vortex’s it can get quite cold, with temps around freezing in the night and as the houses here are built for heat not cold it means that you spend a lot of time bundled up in sweaters, hats and gloves on the couch, just trying to stay warm! Not very comfortable or inspiring for writing.

But winter does have good sides. Although most of the migrant birds have left for the North the aloe flowers and coral trees are blooming and this is where the sunbirds hang out. These little birds are a bit larger than hummingbirds with long beaks and the same beautiful iridescent feathers.

These photo’s were taken last year in Kruger and this year in the botanical gardens here in Johannesburg.

by Aruna Mohan (@arunarealafrica)