The setting sun dazzles the eyes as it sparkles against the field of white onion heads. It looks like a garden of gold. To the sunbirds, bees and butterflies the seeding onions are like gold. The air is filled with the scent of onion, not pungent. Rather like a lightly frying onion. The air is also filled with the chorus of buzzing and the flit of dozens of Malachite Sunbirds. Their gorgeous greenish blue body sparkles as much as the sun reflecting off the onion heads. Our stroll was shortened because the entire Buckaroo clan - complete with dogs, cats and an escaped goat - stopped to view the spectacular sight. Or nibble on an onion seed.
This week for SMaP Short-Legged Birds Contest Round 143 I'm delighted to share one of my favourite little birds; the magnificent Malachite Sunbird. Or rather many of them. Thanks @nelinoeva for allowing us to show off such a variety of exquisite feathered friends from all corners of the world.
The far more shy female Malachite Sunbird kept a safe distance from the paparazzi. However the numerous males were proud to show off their beauty. If only the camera would snap fast enough. A dozen one moment and the next just three .... and off they would all flit to the next onion head. And then the next. And the next
