Weaving

Sony A1, FE 200-600mm, 5.6-6.3 G OSS, FL: 485mm, S: 1/3,200s, FL: F7.1, ISO: 2,000.

Flipping across the bamboo reeds, a Red Bishop brings its newfound material to build its nest.

It was a hot summer day, and the warm breeze stirred the long reeds. The birds were mostly taking shade, and the morning duties had largely been completed. As I watched, a Red Bishop emerged from the nearby embankment, fluttering purposefully just above the reeds and making his way towards me. As he came closer, a long, thin stem trailing behind him, he dropped lower into the outstretched tops, disappearing into a clump. With a quick turn, his outstretched claws gripped the early frame of what was to be his nest, allowing him to position himself alongside and under. His eyes closely inspecting his own progress, he started to stitch the long piece, embedding it as another part of his efforts to produce a place worthy for his soon-to-be-found mate to eventually produce their clutch. It took a thousand more such journeys to eventually create what would be his showpiece for a few weeks to come.

Like the Red Bishop’s efforts show, patience and discipline are the backbone of success. It's a trait that requires a long-term view of the objective or desire. It demands continued commitment and, perhaps more importantly, an endearing sense of passion or belief in the outcome. Today's world, though full of increased and easy convenience, seems to have engineered a recipe for the opposite. Fulfillment comes in small bytes, and efforts to see an objective through seem harder to find in mankind. Unlike our species, though, brids like the Red Bishop and other animals in nature have less choice and continue to build on their endeavours to build or find solutions that require the maximum of their species. Perhaps we should take note of this in the time to come when convenience becomes challenged by the reality of the limitations that follow.

The Red Bishop: A Vibrant Character of the Weaver Family

Nestling in colonies and bustling about in flocks, the Red Bishop is a lively character in the avian world. With a diet consisting of seeds and some insects, this sociable bird often shares its roosting spots with other members of the weaver family.

Easily recognisable during the breeding season, which spans from October to March, the Red Bishop flaunts its striking plumage, making it one of the most easily identifiable birds in South Africa. While they are spread throughout the country, you won't find them in the drier regions. As autumn and winter set in, the males loose their vibrant colours and resemble the more inconspicuous females.

Bishops, as members of the Weaver family, are adept nest builders, using grass to create their homes within reeds, complete with a side entrance. Interestingly, Red Chested Cuckoos often lay their eggs in Red Bishop nests, leaving the unwitting hosts to care for their offspring. Despite their gregarious nature, each male Red Bishop takes on multiple females, constructing a nest for each. While the females take charge of hatching and raising the chicks, the males flaunt their plumage, resembling large bumblebees as they flit around their cluster of nests. Though not migratory, these birds do shift locations during the non-breeding season.

The Red Bishop is a captivating bird, both in appearance and behavior, adding vibrancy and intrigue to the avian world.

Feathered Friends Collection

Welcome to our feathered friends, with their flights of fancy, twitchers' delight, and the lightest touch.

Ever-present in our lives, birds fill the skies, settle in tree branches, and thrive on the ground. Their movements fill us with delight and awe; their silence is broken by delightful songs or anxious craws. This collection celebrates these moments in time with our feathered friends.