Looking back through my photos from South Africa, I found these photos, and decided to do a little blog about Red Bishops.

Despite having been back to South Africa twice in the past 3 years, the different locations of our visit meant I was well versed in some bird names but not others. So when I fist saw Red Bishops at Midlands Saddle and Trout, I scrolled through “Cardinal” and “Pope” before remembering the correct name. On another note, I’d love to photograph  Northern Cardinals if I ever make my way to North America!

Red Bishop males are striking, but difficult to photograph due to their propensity to hiding in reed-beds. We managed to catch them when they hopped up the stalks to sing and attract females, who were even more reclusive. They weave nests low in the reeds by stripping off long laces of the leaves and wrapping them around the stalks.

Soft, overcast light was the best for these birds, although I got some photographs on a sunnier morning, the contrast thrown into the reeds made the background very distracting. I wanted clean photos of these birds with nothing in the way, but no amount of trying different angles worked. Dad got a great image, being taller than me and able to see over the reeds! Looking at the photographs now I like them more because the soft reeds in the foreground illustrate their home, as well as their behaviour. They are very peaceful images for me.