MALACHITE SUNBIRD, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this Sunbird as a Malachite Sunbird by its very large downturned bill and elongated central tail feathers.  This Malachite Sunbird is molting as it has some of the characteristics of  a breeding male (iridescent green) and some of eclipse plumage (brownish on back).

   The Malachite Sunbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 489.

SOUTHERN GREY-HEADED SPARROW, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

SHARON & GEORGE AT STONY POINT, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

CORMORANT COLONY, STONY POINT, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

   Even though parts of this cormorant are in a shadow, we can see enough white on its breast and yellow near base of bill to ID it as a White-breasted Cormorant.  The White-breasted Cormorant is the only Cormorant in the area to have such white.

   The White-breasted Cormorant is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 488.

as a White-breasted Cormorant .   The White-breasted Cormorant is the only cormorant to have such white.

BANK CORMORANT IN NEST, STONY POINT, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

BANK CORMORANT, STONY POINT, BETTY'S BAY, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

   We can ID this cormorant as a Bank Cormorant by its all matt  black coloration, including near the base of the bill.  The other cormorants in the area have yellow coloration near the base of the bill.

   The Bank Cormorant is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 487.