I staggered onto the veranda at the club, tired and dry mouthed, over done the walk… stop talking bull dust Bulldog!!! When I returned from a short walk, I felt this breeze near my ear and turned to see where it came from.
Could I be so lucky as to have a beautiful female, gently blowing in my ear? No, when I turned I saw the second African Palm Swift (I hope the ID is correct, feel free to correct me if I’m wrong… Thank yoiu Carol of whichwaynow101, it is in fact a Rock Martin.) sweep close to my head. “Must have a nest near by!!” the mind though and sure enough it was right…
Then one settled on a table next to me as if to say “get the hell out of here we’re busy!”
The African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus) is a small swift. It is very similar to the Asian Palm Swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis, and was formerly considered to be the same species. It is a Rock Martin …..
It is a common resident breeder in tropical Africa. Now they usually nest under palm leaves so this one might be a little lost, or I’ve screwed up the ID something terrible… yes I screwed up it is a Rock Martin, thanks Carol…
So anyone in the know feel free to help if I’ve missed the ID here…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
Rob, you and your camera ….. what a team. *smile I think they build a nest where they feel comfortale and welcome.
You are so right Viveka… they sure are comfy amid all the traffic there…
I just love the freedom we have to put our questions about there and to ask our blogging friends to fill in our “blanks.” This was great! I loved the nest, and I’m glad you’re okay. All you need now is to be “felled” by a bird–you need to be very careful this week, I think! 🙂
Thanks Debra… going to keep calling on this bird in the hope to see the young when born…
They nest in the same way that barn swallows do here. They look a bit like them too. They are nice birds. I like the looks of these guys. What a heck of a disappointment…only a bird. Chuckle… I like their spunk in protecting their nest! You’re just too funny, Rob! The sense of humor tells me that you will be okay. 🙂
Thanks George…
Love these very intimate photos, looks like she was comfortable with you nearby.
Thank you. she was as long as I didn’t get any closer…
It amazes me how you get these shots. Birds are so hard to photograph. I have only gotten a few, and they are never very good. Beautiful, Bulldog!
Thanks Skye… you must talk to them to get them to co-operate…
Wow fantastic pics.
Thanks Ute…
Oh wow, what great photos you got here Bulldog, I’m always fascinated by birds nesting! You got a good head’s up when you felt that breeze, even if it was only from a bird of the feathered kind, lol 😉
Thanks Sherri… I used to collect birds eggs as a youngster… and this would often aid in the ID of the bird, I sure failed the test with this one…
these are great…my husband just installed a new birdhouse that hangs on the window, so you can see in. I’ll let you know if anyone settles IN!
Should be interesting and close by will be good for photos…
The wildlife heard you were back, couldn’t wait, and started coming to you–take care you don’t get visited by a hippo!
Thanks Chris.. will avoid the Hippo…
Only you would notice this 😉 Always at the ready to capture a lovely creature. I love the nest – it looks very cosy indeed! 😀
Thanks Dianne… they flew so close I couldn’t miss them…
You have the nicest things whispering to you!
Thanks Col and I can’t get into trouble with these whispering in my ear…
Bellissime foto Rob, che nido colorato fa questo uccello!!
Ciao, Pat
Thanks pat..
Beautiful pics – and super cool nest they have.- I like the rice krispie description too, that was my first thought – you’ve put up the wrong photo – as if LOL
Thanks Jan.. I also liked that description… rice krispies indeed…
For the most part – I classify these flying creatures as birds & leave it at that. So- whatever you say – ok. 🙂
Thanks RoSy… I love to name them for my quest to photo all 900 odd specie we have in our country, and the wrong ID in this case gave me a new one for the book as I haven’t captured the Rock Martin before…
I will always believe you bulldog, you’d be amazed at how little I know about birds! Lovely picture, as per usual. 🙂
Diana xo
No worries Diana… the bulldog will get a good few more wrong in his lifetime…
Squatters! How lovely. They are swifts, swallows or martins – something along those lines. Aren’t I helpful?
You clever girl… oh how much respect have I now for you… it is in fact a Rock Martin .. Carol, top of the class for you… now I will have to change the post…thank you… RESPECT!!!!!
I’ve just fluffed up my feathers with pride!
Stuff the ID.
I like the pics.
Thanks Vicki, in fact it is a Rock Martin
Aren’t you the lucky one?!
No Anneli, Carol was clever enough to point me in a different direction it is in fact a Rock Martin, so don’t I now feel the fool…
Those martins and swifts are all part of the swallow family, aren’t they? Doesn’t matter that it’s a martin and not a swift. It’s a cute little bird and how nice that he/she blew in your ear. 😉
At first I thought someone had mushed a gob of Rice Krispie treats into the rafters 😉 Be careful around those nesting birds they can get testy!
I do like that description of what is in fact a Rock martins nest… clever Carol…
lol…that was cutely written…beautiful pics too!
Thanks Laura… if I had only got the ID right… clever Carol of whichwaynow101… it is in fact a Rock Martin
Cool. I never know. I should get a bird book 🙂
Perhaps it’s just as well it wasn’t a beautiful female! You seem to find birds to shoot wherever you go.
It would be nice to find a good looking babe just once Brian…
Gorgeous pics, bulldog. I love the one of the little head poking over the top of the nest. I looked at some images on Google, and I’m sure you’re right about the ID. What is the nest made of?
Thanks AD in fact I have it wrong, it is a Rock martin… Carol of whichwaynow101 got it right… the nest is made of mud….
Good for Carol. 🙂
I thought it was an Angel that breezed next to your ear, Bulldog 🙂 This birdie is so cute. I thought only swallows build their nests like she does.
Swifts do build nests like this as well, its just the palm swift is so called because of its nesting habits… So this one is either very confused or I’ve made one big mistake… Thank you…
Birds nest in the unlikeliest of places 🙂
That is so true Alex
Yeeha – you are back!
I’m back for as long as I’m here… now that sounds like a foreign language… lol
STERKTE
I know little about birds, but this one is so cute. What a beautiful surprise after your exhausting walk 🙂
Thanks Paula… it did surprise me as I’ve never known them to attack a passer by… maybe they thought I was going to miss their nest… lol