In the Beginning

The raucous, pre-historic like call of the hadeda, is arguably the most recognised bird call in Africa, south of the Sahara. The call of the hadeda is typically heard in the pre-dawn glow as the sun transforms the rose coloured hue on the horizon and scarlet fingers probe the sky to cast dew laden shadows on the forest and plains of the African bush veldt. It is perhaps the only bird call that sparks off, emotions of nostalgia and a irrepressible desire to be transported back in time to witness and walk among the herds of game, unspoilt bush and rivers. The quote from TV Bulpin, which heads up this blog, accurately and romantically captures the mood. Yet, there are the not so early risers that would happily hurl the coffee table at a squadron of hadedas as they skim the trees in decibel defiant unison en route to their favourite wetlands; and repeat the performance during the brief twilight hours before night returns.

This curious, in many ways comical looking bird that wades and strides through the wetlands and veldt with nonchalant abandonment,  and would be the envy of any teenage rapper, has unnoticed reached iconic status in South Africa.

The kaleidoscope of insatiable curiosity, nostalgia, emotion evoking, amusing and demure character of the hadeda inspired the author to listen, admittedly first with great disbelief, and then with uninhibited enthusiasm to Howard Hadeda (Jnr).  His first adventure has now been recorded and will be launched in mid-June.