A Blacksmith Lapwing attack.
All of a sudden, they were around me and a few times I had to dodge the male, as he came in to bomb me.
This above was the Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus), mom screaming at me; Go away infidel, or die!
At times, things can become a bit adventurous in nature and one has to have a cool head and common sense to avoid a catastrophe. There are choices in life and it is up to each of us to live with the consequences of the choices that we make. I could have rushed after the blacksmith baby, captured it to keep it in a cage for the rest of its life, or I could leave it be to live the free life that it was intended for.
I chose the latter. But let me explain.
Of course, I was innocent as I wanted to take a few shots of some Red-knobbed Coots (Fulica cristata), with their babies. I also only got a few shots of the coots, before all hell broke loose.
The sad thing is that I should have known what this below was. As I got out of our car, we saw this little bird scuttling over a grass embankment. I thought that it might be a wagtail or some other kind of small bird.
But I was so wrong, as in fact it was a blacksmith baby and as I approached the dam I had to pass close by.
There they came and I knew that I was in for a bombing.
The female swung away, and you saw her screaming in the first picture.
Just in time I swung the camera up to catch the dad diving down straight at me.
Whoosh, he passed over me as I ducked to get my head out of the way.
I skedaddled out of there and they watched me go from up high.
Cheeky little birds the blacksmiths are, and I have a photo somewhere of a blacksmith male taking on a crow that came near their nest. So, they are not scared to tackle much bigger birds than them, and as you saw they also tackle the human varieties that ventures near their young.
During the time that I worked on the Eskom high voltage towers, we had to follow the lines across hills and dales and a few times I had to endure the bombing by birds near their nests in the grass fields. One even banged against the windscreen of my 4x4 truck.
My motto is to live and to let live, as such is life.
I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
Thank you kindly for supporting this post.
You have so much knowledge about birds because I'm wondering how you recognize the male and female bird.
In the case of sunbirds and many other birds, it's the colors that are the first clue. The males are all brightly colored and the females have more demure coloring.
Wonderful photos!
Thank you kindly, and glad that you like it Lady Sally.
!PIZZA
Those coots are beautiful. That striking red makes them almost comical. But you really do have the best of both worlds living in Cape Town, surrounded by sea and mountains. And yet, despite the city access to the beauties of nature. Your photos tell quite a story - poor little blacksmith. I watched (minuse my camera) yesterday as a Harrier Hawk perched effortlessly on a weaver nest and had a couple snacks. What a sight. I felt sorry for the snacks but then even the birds of prey need to survive
Oh yeah, we also love the Coot babies and they are cute little things.
Not exactly city life here, more town life, but I know what you mean and we are indeed blessed with this photographers paradise.
I have recently chased a Harrier Hawk away from the tree across the road from our house, as there are many little bird nests inside that tree. He is a real pain at times. Pity that you did not have a camera to catch the action.
!PIZZA
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