Ground hornbills ((Bucorvus leadbeateri and BROMVOëL in Afrikaans) number among my favourite bird species. I enjoy it immensely to watch them – they look very pecurliar: impressive, even intimidating, but also comical. The photo here was taken in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
For those who don’t know them well – ground hornbills are particularly large birds, about the size of farm turkeys – but not as heavy. They reach a mass of about six kilograms. They can fly, and fairly well too, if necessary. Usually though they walk around with stiff-legged steps across the ground. They walk on their toes to boot, with the ‘sole’ of the foot lifted high off the ground. The result is a stately step, that gives an impression of justified arrogance.

Groot kommer heers oor die drastiese afname in die aantal Bromvoël-getalle. Daar word gereken dat die maksimum aantal bromvoëls in Suid-Afrika tussen 1500 en 2000 is

Harry and Sally have known each other for years, and are very good friends, but they fear sex would ruin the friendship.
Director: Rob Reiner
Writer: Nora Ephron
Stars:Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and Carrie Fisher

Canon PowerShot S51S
Photography: Feathered friends

FEATURED in Animals of Africa
25 Sept. 2011.
FEATURED in Animal Captions And Confessions
25 Sept. 2011.
FEATURED in Amazing Wildlife
25 Sept. 2011.
FEATURED in The Birds
4 Oct. 2011.
ONE OF THE TOP TEN in the challenge: Films Title in Just Fun Group
28 Oct. 2011.

A mounted print