Photography

Birds of Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve

Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve is about 15km from the centre of Pretoria off the R21 S. Rietvlei is one of the few reserves in the highveld biome in South Africa. The dam is used to augment the water supply to Pretoria, but in view of the increasing amount of pollution in the feeder rivers, I am not sure how much longer this will be viable (especially if the proposed coal mine on the southern boundary is approved). The reserve is also under threat from urbanisation, with suburbs of Pretoria encroaching on the boudaries. The SABS's high voltage laboratory, NEFTA, is on the southern boundary of the reserve adjacent to the Apollo High Voltage Converter Station where the DC power from Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique is converted to AC.

More often than not, the birds in Rietvlei Nature Reserve are very considerate in giving you plenty of time to set up your camera. For birdwatchers, the Friends of Rietvlei have published a list of birds in the reserve.

I took my first serious photos with the Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma) in this reserve in 2005.

Bigma Trial Photos

There are many "experts" out there who do believe that the quality of pics taken with the Bigma is absolute rubbish. The following pic, taken on a winter outing, shows that the lens is more than adequate for my needs.

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Other pictures

Unfortunately, I cannot find my printed map of the reserve, so I have borrowed one from Will Goodlet which I found in this pdf (unfortunately, all the links in the pdf are broken). I will refer back to points of interest on this map to show where the bird pics were taken.

The Cape Reed Warbler is often heard, but seldom seen. This pic was taken at the southern hide on Marais Dam (handheld).

The large plovers, as well as the dikkop, can be found just about anywhere in the reserve.

I have never seen a Water Dikkop in the reserve, but they should be around.

The weir at Otter Bridge is a great place to sit and wait, but the light is not always in your favour.

Malachite Kingfishers can often be seen on branches and reeds on the western side of the bridge.

One of my favourite roads in the reserve is the dirt road from the Quarry Road to the Protea Hut. There are usually many animals in this area, including a family of meerkats who live in the quarry hole on the top of the hill. Unfortunately, in summer this road is often impassable after heavy rain as the water tends to dam up in the dip.

Banded Martins nest in the culvert next to the road just before the junction between Quarry Road and South Road.

From this junction, continuing towards Marais Dam, one passes under the high voltage lines from Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. In autumn, there are often Eastern Redfooted Kestrels perched on the cables, together with hundreds of European Swallows.

The Anteating Chat often uses signposts in the reserve as perches. Here are a couple of pics where they are not!

Ostrich can also be found almost anywhere in the reserve.

The next point of interest, after passing the picnic site, is the bridge across the river on the vlei route. You need to take it slowly here as there are often interesting birds to be found in both the reeds and the trees, as well as the swampy ground to the north of the road.

In the open grassland to the north of the farmhouse/coffee shop, you will find many highveld birds.

One of my dreams has been to capture a Longtailed Widow in flight. Unfortunately, they are always too far away for a decent shot.

Where the Jagluiperd Road meets the Acacia Road, keep your eyes open at the river crossing as there are often some interesting birds in the swampy area.

There are a few waterbirds to be seen from Bird Island Hide, but the island is a bit far away for decent pics. There is lots of life in the reeds adjacent to the hide, but the birds seldom show themselves.

Where there are bush thickets, you do find some bushveld birds.

Finally, as I started with a Cattle Egret, I will end with some Cattle Egrets.

(27 March 2024)

Birds