Hali is an African Fish Eagle that calls the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre home. She’s a majestic creature, and regularly and proudly announces her presence with that beautiful call that is so quintessential of Africa’s wild places. Hali is unfortunately hopelessly imprinted on humans and cannot be released back into the wild. This notwithstanding, she’s as adept as any wild Fish Eagle at snatching her food from the water.
As a registered NGO receiving no government support, the Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre relies heavily on donors, sponsors and the visiting public to fund their very important work. Their tiny staff compliment is responsible for the rehabilitation of between 80 and 200 birds of prey every year, all of them injured by or negatively impacted in another way by humans, and then releasing them back into the wild when they’ve recovered sufficiently. If you can’t visit them in person, please visit their website and, if you are able to, assist them in their efforts by making a donation (monetary or in kind).
Glorious!
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Undeniably so, Kathy
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How wonderful to have the chance to see and photograph such impressive birds at such close quarters. You have both captured Hali’s showy beauty and strength and those flight photos are fantastic.
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Thank you very much, Carol. It was an experience neither of us will soon forget and I hope the series of posts we did convinced one or two people to support the centre in their wonderful work.
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Magnificent bird! Great captures by Joubert of Hali in action.
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Thanks very much, Siobhan!
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As you can tell, I’m running behind, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating another beauty. If she likes fish, she’d love to visit me at the Preserve. Could you arrange that? 🙂
Have a marvel-filled weekend,
janet
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I can imagine that she’d have a whale of a time with you there, Janet!
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And I there with her. 🙂
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Pragtige foto’s! Ons het hulle baie daar in Eshowe hoor roep!
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Baie dankie, Aletta.
Jy laat Eshowe na n baie lekker plek klink – ons was maar nog net 1 maal daar, toe ons gou by Dlinza-woud aangedoen het, en moet se ons was baie beindruk.
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Eshowe het so baie voels, maar ongelukkig is die ou dorpie ook nou besig om te verval
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Wat n jammerte, Aletta. Hoe lank gelede was julle daar?
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Was daar in 2016 en 2 maande gelede net daar deur gery!
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Die stukkies wat ons in Desember 2018 gesien het, het ons nogal beïndruk, maar natuurlik het ons nie die agtergrond om dit mee te vergelyk nie.
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What an impressive looking creature. So powerful.
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Oh absolutely, Tracy. If Ashanti is the Queen at the centre, then Hali must be the Princess.
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What a wonderful time you and Joubert must have had being out there with the birds. It is wonderful to have such dedicated people caring for the birds. There is something similar in Healesvillle (Australia), which tries to rehabilitate many birds to the wild but often it is impossible.
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Sadly yes Tracy, often the damage done is to such an extent that the birds can’t ever be released again. But still these centres give them the best care possible. Exemplary work they’re doing.
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I loved to hear their call. We happen to be in a hotel this morning and I played the call loudly on my computer to wake my wife since it’s almost time to hit the road. Boy was she surprised. >grin<
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😀 😀 😀
Surprised I’m sure, but I am also sure it wasn’t an unpleasant way of waking! As alarm sounds go, this one stands head and shoulders above the rest, wouldn’t you agree, John?
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Indeed!
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Another magnificent series of photos. What a gorgeous creature!!
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I’m really glad you enjoyed our series about the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Centre and the charismatic birds they care for, Lori!
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The call of the African Fish Eagle is one of the best calls in South Africa – and they are beautiful birds to boot!
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So true, Anne. Such an evocative call, even when we hear it here in the city on the rare occasion.
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How wonderful to hear them calling in the city!!!!
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There’s quite a few dams around these parts of Pretoria, ranging from Rietvlei and Roodeplaat to much smaller impoundments – I suppose the ones we see flying overhead from time to time make good use of them.
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I should have remembered Roodeplaat as my son used to row there often.
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I am so glad these birds are at the rehab center where they will always be taken care of. Even though they should be out there in the wild…..but at least they are safe.
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Isn’t it sad Lois how humans just keep meddling and messing where they shouldn’t?
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Hali is a gorgeous bird! Aren’t raptors much prettier that smaller birds? I think so! Thank you, D. 🙂
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I’m with you there, H.J. They’re regal and majestic creatures.
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