MADAGASCAR (where else would you want to be on a WET Sunday?) - Part I

 Still a number of Iron's in the Fire despite the continuing wet weather but we though a diversion to Madagascar might be the change that is as good as a rest? Another Sunday Series at random which we hope you will enjoy.

14 full days on the ground during the Autumn of 2012 on an organised
Wildlife Bonanza

SEAL of MADAGASCAR
which can be hit or miss. 

Perfect as it turned out with other participents getting along well and excellent guidance from both UK operaters and Locals to the 4th largest Island in the World after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.

AIRPORT
and the first Bird

BROAD-BILLED ROLLER

Did someone mention Far From the Madding Crowd?

GREY-HEADED LOVEBIRD

with our first 'Lemur' being

VERREAUX'S SIFAKA
along with

WHITE-FACED WHISTLING DUCKs
of which we must have seen 'thousands' during the stay.

More heavy traffic but we struggled through especially as we were about to reach the 

Marshes and maybe for me one of the Key Birds of the trip, the wait was short for

ALLAN'S GALLINULE
key, as one had been found during 2002 in a moribund condition on Portland, Dorset (home turf in those days) only the second record for the whole of Great Britain - a Very Good Start!

The outskirts of the capital
ANTANANARIVO

This seemed close to home, but far from it as the 'endemic'
MADAGASCA HOOPOE

A Most Welcoming Group of Youngsters
certainly knew the drill and were rewarded with a few shilings and followed by the bizarre

HAMMERCOP

who's huge and ragged nests are made of anything they can find from Coke Cans to Engine Parts.

BROWN LEMUR
and close cousin

BROWN MOUSE LEMUR
with a double dose of the dramatic to end the first day with

NILE CROCODILE

With Chops Akimbo
and at dusk a most welcome

AFRICAN MARSH OWL 

Hope this brightens what is going to be a very soggy day here in Dorset at least - why not tell your friends!