Adrenaline Rush

From Jaap Denee

This was without a doubt the absolute highlight of our birding trip. It came by surprise as we already walked back to the car thinking we would dip it like the year before. The bird flew from a tree just next to our trail. It perched out of sight in the next and after some nerve- racking seconds we got a clear view. It sat close, a bit too close and we did not want to disturb this bird again. Carefully we aimed our lenses, adrenalin rushed through our bodies, we shot our pictures and then left the scene. Silently. Only back by our car did we dare to celebrate! And celebrate we did!

Pel’s Fishing Owl, Somewhere in Kwazulu-Natal, 22 November 2025.

The fishing Owls are elusive birds! Congrats, Jaap.