Ethiopian Birds 1

[Luckyjon]

Hi Guys, I made it back from my trip to Ethiopia trip more or less in one piece but more of that later.
OK my pre-trip safety concerns, thank goodness proved unfounded. The people proved to be very friendly, polite and nothing like my previous experiances in West Africa.
We spent the first two day's birding on and around Lake Tana near to Bahir Dar. Then travelling north to the mountains at 2000 + meters altitude the trekking, with myself overweight and carrying my heavy camera gear was really hard work.
I managed to tick and photograph 68 new species. Albeit we had seen so many other birds that we were unable to ID.

The trip finished with a bang, yes me, we had a seven hour stayover between flights in Abbis Ababa. So we made for the Hilton Hotel Gardens. Walking around the outdoor restaurant and swimming pool area looking up in trees for birds, I tripped in a stupid drainage chanel and landed hard on the concrete pathway, landing on my knees, right hand and on my camera and 500 mm lens held in my left hand. Bang. My first concern was for the camera gear, but I found that both camera and lens still worked ok, but I think I may have damaged the lens Image Stabilization. I was carrying the lens with the lens tripod bracket turned upwards, the fall smashed hard and cut my left hand, nothing broken or fractured I think, my hand is still very swollen and painful after seven days. cest la vie.
I have spent the last few days sorting & editing the many hundreds of photos I had taken
Here's my first batch
White Cheeked Turaco not great photos, but I was pleased to get, this was one difficult bird to shoot always on the move.
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (M&F)
Red-billed Firefinch (M&F)
More tomorrow

[Luckyjon]

Turaco White Cheeked 3_resize.jpg

Turaco White Cheeked 6e_resize.jpg

Cordon Bleu Red Ckeeked f 2_resize.jpg

Cordon Blue 2_resize.jpg

Red Billed Firefinch 2_resize.jpg

Red Billed Firefinch f 1_resize.jpg

[Gautam]

Marvellous shots John. Hope your hand is getting better. Sorry to hear about the damage to the lens.

[bobobird]

Hope all gets better asap. We cannot have you one handed now can we.

Wow, we should all move to Africa - the variety is totally beautiful. The first and second ones? Wow!

[_Provo_]

John great set, sorry to hear about the trip & fall accident
clean that cut you have and bandage it properly, you don't
want to end up with an infection. I know as photographers
we get caught up in excitement looking around but please
be more careful it could've been a worst scenario for you.

Heck I almost walked off the pier & into the canal not long ago
there's a 3ft concrete barrier all I had to do is walk into and flip over.

Now waiting to see what other shot's you have when you post them up

[Frogstar]

68 John! Impressive. Looking foward to seeing all your shots if these are a sample of what's to come. Glad to hear you're not badly hurt.

[gilfish]

68 new species, WOW thats most impressive. These shots are wonderful! Hope you are healing ok. Take Care!!!! (and glad you are back)

[Holguin]

Wonderful series John!!! Great looking birds and well captured.
Glad to hear your ok and hope you have quick recovery.

Can't wait to see more.

[sbutera]

Stunning!

Hope you have a quick recovery

[Prabir]

Wow, amazingly beautiful shots. And sighting 68 species takes some working out!
Pray your hand gets well soon, very soon.
Would be happy to see more from you.