I'd like to call back summertime ...

... and have her stay for just another month or so

South Africa: The Grey Go-away-bird

The Grey Go-away-bird

Two Go-away-birds together


The grey go-away-bird gets it name from its alarm call, which sounds like "go away." Mike got 100 bad photos of them early in the morning on rainy days and finally a few good ones on a sunny day

Birds of South Africa

We took a trip to South Africa to view wildlife, particularly lions, elephants, zebras, etc. However, we also did a bit of birding while there. I know this is supposed to be a NJ bird blog, but we couldn't resist sharing some of these birds from South Africa.



African Hoopoe


Lilac Breasted Roller


Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill


Pin-tailed Whydah


Woodland Kingfisher


Paradise flycatcher


For more of South Africa wilflife, see our South African Wildlife Vacation blog.

Northern Shoveler from Mill Creek Marsh

The bill on this duck always makes us laugh. Here, a male shoveler is getting off a sunken log to take a swim.

Hooded Merganser couple from Mill Creek Marsh

Just behind Bob's discount furniture at the Mill Creek Mall in Seacaucus is another world, with migrating ducks instead of holiday sales.



This was our first time to Mill Creek Marsh, but we will be back. It gets migrating ducks similar to the DeKorte, but has smaller lakes and ponds, making it easier to enjoy the ducks. Hooded mergansers are still our favorite.

Gadwall from the Meadowlands

Here is a photo of a Gadwall from our visit to the Meadowlands last weekend. The meadowlands is one of our favorite places for migrating ducks. We've been to some birding places that have hunters which takes the joy out of bird watching.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

Yellow-Bellied SapsuckerWe are always happy when the sapsuckers return to our yard.