Southern Pied Babbler(Turdoides bicolor).
A short walk on the Sishen Golf Course and who did I find? One of the noisy favourites the babbler….
They looked over their shoulder whilst giving me a birds eye view of their foofholes… still it was nice to get out for a casual walk and to see a few of my favourites… the camera thought it had been retired, but soon got back into the swing of things…..
My health is as yet not back to normal, this lung thing is difficult to work around, and here I thought giving up smoking (which is going well by the way) would make my lungs better…. but I don’t suppose I can blame the smoking for the collapsed lungs…
My taste buds are slowly returning to normal, although chocolate still tastes a bit strange. But I will continue stuffing it down my throat till it tastes good again… can’t give up smoking and chocolate !!!!!
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Oh, what little beauties! I love the colors and the body shape of these little birds! Worth the walk! 🙂
Thanks George
Good to hear you are mending even if it is coming along at a snail’s pace.
Thanks PC, slow progress is still in the right direction… thank you…
I think somehow I’ve missed a post, Rob, because I didn’t know you were having trouble with your lungs! I’m so sorry. I think you just can’t probably imagine how long it takes to get your health back to where you were before your illness. I”m glad you can get outdoors some and enjoy using your camera, and these photos are really so good to see. These are sweet little birds! Stay committed to giving up the smokes, my friend. We want you to feel your strong self again soon!
Thanks Debra… the lungs are a result of the massive swelling I experienced with the infection in the gut that was though to be a burst appendix or colon causing septicemia… the swelling collapsed the lungs and bladder. The bladder is back to normal but re-inflating the lungs will take three to four months apparently… it is that seemingly lack of oxygen intake that is debilitating… as well as the pain when yawning, coughing or sneezing…
The giving up smoking has been an easy decision because of this and is going well…
I always feel blesed when I see birds, they are like little angels in one’s day.
Thanks Genie… I feel the same way, specially when they seem to come to greet me…
Thanks for this lovely babbler. I don’t think we have it here. Glad your back and bringing us great photos of wildlife. A pat in the back for giving up smoking.
Thank you… the smoking thing seems too easy at present, but I’ll take that as I’ve smoked for 50 years and expected it to be far harder…
Nice to know you’re up and about.
Thanks
Welcome back! Loved that the Southern Pied Babblers got you to bring the camera back out, they are cute! Glad that giving up smoking has been easy for you – I can’t imagine not tasting chocolate, hang in there!
Thanks Brenda… specially for the encouragement…
Good to hear from you again! Sheesh, this has not been a good health year for you so far.
Stay strong on the chocolate front…it WILL get better!
Thanks Louisa… it will get better this year, I believe that this infection could have been developing for almost a year and finally just got too big and tried to kill me off… but like all bad smells I’ve decided to hang around a little longer.. lol..
So good to see you’re able to get out and about, Bulldog, even if it is only a small stroll.
Glad to hear you’ve given up cigarettes.
As to the chocolate……keep persevering with the consumption…….your taste buds are bound to finally come through with the ‘yummy’ response. Practice, Practice and more practice is my motto and can certainly be applied to tempting those taste buds to recover (as much as photography).
Hi Vicki, Thanks the cigs has been easy up to now and I hope it continues so, although find it difficult to believe it has been so easy up to now after smoking for 50 years…
Chocs will come back and will definitely not give them up… going for another walk later when the sun begins to shine and see what I can see….
Welcome back my friend :). I know you will never give up on chocolate – just keep trying every day. It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it LOL!
Thank you.. chocs for ever… and will just have to work thru this bad taste thing…
Glad you feel well enough to snap a few shots and write a few lines. I gave up smoking in January after the nasty flue that was going around here in the states. It just seemed too opportune a time to quit when I had been to sick to smoke….but never, chocolate!
Thanks Mrs P. the cigs is going better than I thought it would… will just keep on working thru the bad taste thing till chocs taste good again…
Welcome back, Rob. I’m with you–cigs and chocolate forever!
Thanks Chris… cigs out chocs in…
Good to see you back on WordPress & out & about again. Wonderful shots as always. I hope you are well on the mend. Now that you are not not smoking you can safely class yourself as a non smoker. It gets easier. I stopped 12 years ago when I was on 40 a day. Best thing I did. I’m with you on the chocolate though. Somethings are just not worth giving up. You take care. John
Thanks John… the cigs I think I’ll beat… as for the chocs will continue forcing it in till the taste buds return… it’s difficult but I will persevere…lol
Lovely photos. Have missed you. Rest up and get well!
Thanks Carol… worried you might have sold up and bought a house somewhere in my absence… glad to see you still around…
Che bello rivederti Rob, spero che la tua salute migliori sempre di più. Comunque smettere di fumare si può, smettere con il cioccolato no 🙂
Bellissimi questi uccelli che hai fotografato benissimo!! Un abbraccio e auguri per la tua salute!! Pat
Thanks Pat… glad to be back, missed everyone…
Good to see you bulldog! Praying for better health for you and happy to see you are able to be out and about even for a little bit!
Thanks Elaine… got to keep on getting out there before I become too lazy…
It was so nice to have you show up in my ‘in’ box. I’ve missed you and your beautiful photos. My lungs seem to have finally healed after my serious bout of flu but the energy still has not come back. I guess all in due time. Stay away from the cigarettes, bad for you…..eat more chocolate, good for you 🙂
Thanks Ingrid… hope your good health returns soon… you are so active it must be difficult to be tired all the time… it is that energy loss that I’m suffering from, with bouts of afternoon snoozes etc that is making me feel like an old man… and that I can’t have… have to get back to that “on the go” feeling I’ve always had…
Those birds are just so cute!
Thanks Anneli, I love finding these on the Golf course, so vocal, makes me feel welcome…
Now you must have a very happy camera…pleased to be back in your expert hands and doing the beautiful work it’s used to doing! Love these birds and good for you for getting out and taking the camera for a walk….cheering you on…:)
Thanks So much… did enjoy the walk about although a tad tiring… but the camera managed to capture my favourite noisy bird… who almost came looking for me just to give me the foofie hole look…
lololol…it knew how to cheer you up!
Missed Your Beautiful Posts, Rob, my friend! Glad to see you back and trust we will see more of your expanding forays! 🙂
Thank you so much…. hope to keep on getting out there…
Collapsed lungs!!?!?!?! Been there, done that, have 36 inches of scars to prove it. May you get well soon. I’m glad your smoking cessation effort is going well. Your absence has indeed been felt, my friend.
Russ
Thanks Russ… the lungs are the pits, makes me feel so useless with no oomph to get up and go… but we will keep on going…
Gorgeous photos. Your body will heal it just takes time. I couldn’t give up chocolate either….
Thanks Cee… would not even think of giving up chocolate at my age… maybe something else, but not chocolates…
Beautiful photos Rob. I’m glad you are back and able to walk around and enjoy photography again!
Thanks Laura… probably wont happen everyday but it is a start…
Exactly….one small step at a time. :))
I finally made it over here. Good to see your photos again bulldog. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you as you heal.
Diana xo
Thanks Diana… just need a good internet now and things could get even better…
Chocolate can be good for you, Bulldog, but only the dark one…but not tons of it, okay 😉 Take care 🙂
The dark choccie is the only one that has a decent taste at the moment… so it’s being eaten…
Glad you’re starting to get back to good health. These are gorgeous birds. Great therapy getting out and “shooting.”
Thanks Maralee… must admit it was most enjoyable…
Lovely captures Bulldog. Sorry it’s slow going with getting your health back to normal, sending prayers, love, and healing light…
Glad the quitting smoking is going well, I had to laugh at your last sentence, I do so love chocolate too myself!
Thanks Jewels.. the smoking has been no problem up to now… all 32 days of it… got to get the taste for choccie back
Lovely to see a post from you Rob. Keep taking care and you’ll get there slowly. All my best wishes to you, Ruth 🙂
Thanks Ruth… feels good to be back in some small way…
Good to see you back and clicking away again Rob. Hope you got plenty of chocolate Easter eggs to take your mind off the smoking (Do you celebrate Easter in Africa?).
Thanks Brian… the smoking is no problem to now, and yes the Easter is celebrated here… got lots of eggs mostly dark chocolate which is going down well… the Grand kids gave me lots as they are so happy to see I don’t smoke any more… just want tot know who brain washes them/…
Great to see you back Bulldog but sorry to hear it is taking longer to recover than you hoped. And I say, never try to give up chocolate, particularly the dark chocolate, which is sooo very good for you. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn I was warned the lungs would take a long time to come back at my age they said… I just didn’t want to believe them … always been so healthy that nothing has kept me down for long… this has been a bit of a fright… although after the op so many other smaller problems have solved themselves that I should be grateful… apparently the infection has been building for months….
The Dark choccie is the only one that tastes good so it’s the only one being eaten…
And it is the best for you. 🙂 Being on the road like we are and away from doctors we know, I find myself looking for the nearest urgent care facility or hospital when we settle in somewhere as you never know when one will be needed.
It’s great to see you back. I’m so sorry to hear about the lung problem 😦 Chocolate can cure anything so keep up the good work and eat as much as you can. xxxx
Thanks Dianne… thats what I say chocolate will heal all my woes …
Ahh Bulldog, so good to see you back to taking a stroll and taking these beautiful pics, what a darling bird this is. So sorry though that you are still battling – collapsed lung? – I’m so so sorry…do take care of yourself and get well soon my friend! Things are just not the same around here without you…but I was heartened to see this post this morning, catching up taking a short break from blogging myself. Now I’m paying the price for doing so, lol!!! I hope you can give up the smoking but the chocolate? Never! That just can’t be…
Hope you and your family enjoyed a lovely Easter break and that each day to follow you get better and stronger…bug hugs… Sherri 🙂
Thanks Sherri… the swelling in the gut area collapsed the lungs and now I need to re-inflate them which is apparently easier said than done…. The smoking has as yet not been difficult I think because if I was smoking the pain in the lungs would be worst… any sneeze or cough is painful… been 31 days now so I hope the worst is over… enjoyed the Easter break specially all the Easter eggs that the family showered on me because they don’t want to see me start smoking again…
Goodness, that sounds awful. Can’t believe it’s been that long already…still, great to hear that you were plied with chocolate and let’s hope it does the trick 😉
Good to see you back in photography action. I wish a full recovery.
Thanks Alex
Rob dear, I know life is good again with winter finally gone and will you making a resurgence on the blog screen. I am so happy that you feel well enough to go walking and shooting pictures again. Love those cute little Babblers.
As for eating, eat what makes you feel good. As for smoking, you’re much too good and too smart to keep that up. I once worked for Philip Morris as an independent contractor, and was surprised to see, in their dining room, every table with small vases filled with cigarettes. They really wanted people to get addicted to their product. Every time you light up think of the greedy, filthy rich cigarette makers you’re treating to better vacations, larger homes and bigger diamonds.
Why would you want to do that?
Thanks Ronnie… the stopped smoking is going well with no hankerings up to now .. which does surprise me considering I’ve been dragging on the weed for 50 years… the pain when coughing or sneezing I think has made it easier…
Hey hey hey … Bulldog is back in town … very fitting for Bulldogs-are-Beautiful Day! Although the recovery is slow, cheers to the progress to do … so be a patient patient.
Thanks Frank… feels good to be back even if partially…
Progress in the right direction!
*confused* You mean to say that when chololate tastes good again you will be giving it up?
Glad you are at least mobile, if a bit backward in photography 🙂
Give up Chocolates Col???? do you think I’m mad as well as sick??? lol
*relieved*
And the birdies are still giving you their usual salute 😉 So happy to see you back. You keep on getting better and I have to too.
Yes their foofies to the front for the Bulldog…
Bulldog, it’s great to see you back with your camera again. Love your photos of the sweet little Babblers. Well done with the giving up smoking. Keep it up, as it’s definitely not good for your lungs. xx
Thanks AD… good to be back even if not in full force…
Lovely to see you back Bulldog Chocolate is an essential food group that must not be neglected
How right you are Puppy… got to get back into the choccies…
Absolutely beautiful as always Rob and it’s so lovely to see them close-up. You are born to capture these beauties for sure! 😀
Glad to hear your health is getting better and as far as smoking goes, I tried and got so depressed that even the doctors said it’s better for me to smoke than turn into an alcoholic or druggie. 😆 I wish I never started but well, that’s one wish I can’t have come true. As far as choccies goes, I don’t much like chocolates, so no loss there. 😀 You just hang in there and take care of yourself. ♥ Hugs ♥ to you and Linda.
I think I’m finding it easy up to now because of the lung problem… coughing and sneezing is just too painful… been smoking for 50 years so do expect somekind of withdrawal although it has now been 31 days and all is welll
Yes, that can’t be nice to have Rob and I think you’re are doing great. Just keep on and before you know it will be as if you’ve never smoked. Hubby also smoked for years and gave it up and he doesn’t miss it at all. 😀
I cannot wait till the kids wake up and I can tell them that Bulldog is back! I am so proud of you for giving up smoking–but keep with the chocolate….a cranky Bulldog won’t do anyone any good. I know giving up chocolate would make me quite irritable! 🙂 You are in our thoughts and prayers!! The photos are lovely. My littlest will adore these. Thank you, BD!! And welcome back.
A cranky Bulldogs is not a good one for sure, must admit been a bit cranky because of the restrictions the illness has put on me… but the no smoking is going well and will keep at the choccies till they taste good again… it feels good to be back even if only in little bursts…
wahoo! Welcome back Bulldog – we’ve missed you, well I have and I’m sure everyone else has also. Stunning photos as always. Good on you for giving up smoking – can only be good for you. I’m with you on the chocolate front though, that is just silly LOL. Keep stuffing it in, bound to get the flavour back soon enough and you will be well rewarded 🙂
Thanks Jan… got to keep forcing it in till it tastes good, Drs orders… well Dr Bulldogs orders … it is good to be back even if only partially… thanks you, I’ve missed your blog as well…
They are so lovely birds and you really captured so beautiful photographs dear Rob. I do believe you can give up smoking and chocolate… You can. It is all in your mind, Without you, I can’t imagine a blogging world, dear Rob, 🙂 Best wishes, Thank you, love, nia
Thanks Nia… the smoking I can give up… but give up eating chocolate? no way, I love it too much… lol