Intaka Island

[markbooysen]

Hi, anyone been to Intaka Island recently ... am thinking of going there this weekend to test my new 100-400mm lense ....
thanks
Mark

[Chris F]

NICE ! ! ! !


I have been there twice, and realy enjoy the venue. I still want to go back EARLY in the morning as I think this when you will get the best photos from the available hides.


Note that there is only two vending machines, so take your eats and drinks along if you intend being there a while.

[Robbie A]

Get there by 7am and head for the hides... you will find a few of the regulars there.. as well as MK's, night heron, little bittern, purple heron and quite a few others... then head off to the bushes with orange flowers and wait for the sunbirds... and in between shoot anything else that moves.. :-)

See the FB group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208581625896578/

[markbooysen]

awesome info ....... thanks !

Get there by 7am and head for the hides... you will find a few of the regulars there.. as well as MK's, night heron, little bittern, purple heron and quite a few others... then head off to the bushes with orange flowers and wait for the sunbirds... and in between shoot anything else that moves.. :-)

See the FB group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208581625896578/

[markbooysen]

Really keen on some Kingfisher shots, are they around at the moment (if yes, which hide ?)

[DonRoos]

I was there about three weeks ago and they were doing some construction at the shallow pond (hide 5 I think) which is the favourite spot for the MK. The mound of sand they are altering to make a mud wall is where the Pied Kingfisher bread. The construction upset the birds in the area and sightings were scarce except for the common/bold birds so hence my not going back for a while. I may go again tomorrow (I am a member and go regularly) and if so will post an update.

[Robbie A]

They finished the wall a while ago.. I saw pics of the MK that were shot on the weekend so yes, they are around...

[Chris F]

"member" - please explain more ...

[markbooysen]

Chris, Don is talking about being an annual member, if you look at their web the details are there ... briefly as follows:
Annual Membership:
Pensioner Membership R50.00
Student Membership R50.00
Century City Residents (Single) R50.00
Family Membership (other areas) R150.00
Individual Membership R75.00
Century City Residents (Family) R100.00

"member" - please explain more ...

[DonRoos]

Chris, Don is talking about being an annual member, if you look at their web the details are there ... briefly as follows:
Annual Membership:
Pensioner Membership R50.00
Student Membership R50.00
Century City Residents (Single) R50.00
Family Membership (other areas) R150.00
Individual Membership R75.00
Century City Residents (Family) R100.00

That was fast Mark. Exactly right, I have had an annual membership for 2 years and have been visiting long before that.

[DonRoos]

I went yesterday as the weather was supposed to be sunny. Unfortunately, the sun remained hidden for most of the morning making it cold and the light bad. The new mud wall at the shallow pond (my favourite spot) already has several martin nests and I observed at least 3 of the holes being used. There was a Purple Heron that spent a while there and the Malechite Kingfisher visited for a short while but other than that it was very quiet. I saw a humming bird up close (2m) but trying to get my camera up for a shot frightened him. Too late, too cold, to cloudy for any decent sightings and the birds may still not be too comfortable after the construction of the mud wall.

[Chris F]

Thanks guys

[Mike Wrankmore]

Hi Don....would i be right in saying you meant a Sun Bird?

[markbooysen]

Thanks Don .... as it will be only my 2nd outing with my 100-400mm, I will shoot even a "common" pigeon if thats all that I spot ... practice, practice and then more practice ...

I went yesterday as the weather was supposed to be sunny. Unfortunately, the sun remained hidden for most of the morning making it cold and the light bad. The new mud wall at the shallow pond (my favourite spot) already has several martin nests and I observed at least 3 of the holes being used. There was a Purple Heron that spent a while there and the Malechite Kingfisher visited for a short while but other than that it was very quiet. I saw a humming bird up close (2m) but trying to get my camera up for a shot frightened him. Too late, too cold, to cloudy for any decent sightings and the birds may still not be too comfortable after the construction of the mud wall.

[DonRoos]

Hi Don....would i be right in saying you meant a Sun Bird?

Appologies, a Sun Bird it was!

[markbooysen]

Well what an amazing place ... my first visit and could not get over how peaceful it is .... spotted a few mentionables such as: Grey Heron / Blackcrowned Night Heron / Africa Sedge Warbler / Yellowrumped Widow / Double-collared Sunbird (for you Don) .... this was only my 2nd outing with my new 100-400 and happy with the results (not as good as you experts, but will keep on practicing) .... for Don, here is the Double-collared Sunbird he was referring to.... C&C welcomed

[DonRoos]

Glad you enjoyed it mark, I live only 5 min away and get to go there regularly and have a vast collection of photos I have taken over about 4 years. Perhaps we will meet one day. Nice shot of the sun bird, pity about the twigs in the way and the flat lighting but under the circumstances a nice shot. If you keep visiting the shots get better as you get better opportunities. You were fortunate to see the night heron, I have only seen one twice. Pity you did not see the MK. It took me several visits to find out where they like to hang out and since then I almost always see one or two of them and was fortunate to have 7 different sightings and a few caught fish on one trip.

[markbooysen]

Thanks .. yes the lighting was poor, weather forecast predicted good weather but as you experienced, was very cloudy with a little rain ... would be great to catch up .. I would love to "learn" where the MK hang out ... I will PM you when I have a chance to go again ...

Glad you enjoyed it mark, I live only 5 min away and get to go there regularly and have a vast collection of photos I have taken over about 4 years. Perhaps we will meet one day. Nice shot of the sun bird, pity about the twigs in the way and the flat lighting but under the circumstances a nice shot. If you keep visiting the shots get better as you get better opportunities. You were fortunate to see the night heron, I have only seen one twice. Pity you did not see the MK. It took me several visits to find out where they like to hang out and since then I almost always see one or two of them and was fortunate to have 7 different sightings and a few caught fish on one trip.

[DonRoos]

Please do PM me, glad to share