Cape gull with wings outstretched in the archangel position. There is beauty and purity in the most ordinary things… (Anja Denker)

Extreme close-up of a Steppe Eagle. A common Palearctic migrant that has a habit of hunting from the top of telephone poles. (Sean Braine)

An amazing photograph of a Mallard duck sleeping on the grass. This introduced duck is establishing growing populations in and around Johannesburg and Cape Town. (Rodnick Biljon)

Lilac-breasted roller flying past the photographer. This must be one of the most photographed birds in Africa. (Marie Claude Orosquette)

Yellow-billed stork with a fish in the Kruger National Park (South Africa). These amazing storks are Near-threatened in South Africa and generally uncommon. (Rodnick Biljon)

Burrowing owl are found throughout the Americas, restricted mainly to grasslands, pastures, agricultural lands, deserts and other open dry area with low vegetation. They do, of course, nest in burrows… (Jarbas Mattos)

Blue waxbills are very sensitive to water shortages and can become nomadic in winter. They are a favorite with finch breeders. (Anja Denker)

Grey Heron flying past the setting sun in Chobe National Park (Botswana). The Chobe River is one of the best places in the world for stunning sunsets like this one… (http://www.mariuscoetzee.com/) (Marius Coetzee)

African Black Oystercatcher flying over a rocky shore near East London (South Africa). These stunning birds are regarded as Near-threatened breeding endemics. (See: http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/africa_birds/ABB02(5)28-34.pdf) (Rodnick Biljon)

Tawny eagle takes off in front of the rising moon. This must have been the perfect ending to a day in the bush… (Hendri Venter)

This yellow-bellied sunbird-asity is only found in high-lying mistbelt montane forest patches on the island of Madagascar. (http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/) (James Wakelin)

The beautiful Jackson’s widowbird is restricted to Kenya and Tanzania, and is threatened by the decline of their subtropical or tropical high-altitude grasslands and arable land… (http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/) (David Kaplan)

Greater striped swallow stretching a pose before launching off to hunt down insects high in the wind… (Robbie Aspeling)

Lesser-masked weaver bathing next to a beautiful lily. The private lives of wild birds… (Marie Claude Orosquette)

African spoonbill zooming past the photographer. These locally common birds are gregarious and are nomadic in response to water levels. (Rodnick Biljon)

Rouget’s Rail is found in Eritrea and Ethiopia, restricted to subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, swamps, freshwater marshes, rural gardens, and urban areas. They are, however, threatened by continued habitat loss and degradation. (http://www.mariuscoetzee.com/) (Marius Coetzee)

Greater kestrel closing its wings a little to pick up some speed before swooping down on some prey. (Hendri Venter)

White-fronted bee-eater feeding on a dragonfly. Stunning detail in the sunlight. (Robbie Aspeling)

Stunning portrait of a red-billed gull. Being this close to a bird you see how perfect the wild keeps them. No room for imperfection like in captivity. (Kevin Shakespeare)

Green-headed tanager is found in the Atlantic forests of south-eastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and north-eastern Argentina. They remain hidden in the high canopy most of the time… (http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/) (Adam Riley)

Perfect action shot of a southern red bishop busy at work in the reed bed. This common polygynous bird is gregarious and sedentary. (Rodnick Biljon)

Cape White-eye strikes a pose in perfect sunlight. These beautiful birds are endemic to the South Africa and do well in residential gardens. (Kevin Shakespeare)

Great white pelicans flying in formation. (http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/) (Markus Lilje)

Bare-legged owls or Cuban screech owls are endemic to Cuba. They live predominantly in the high canopy where do most of their foraging and roosting. (http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/) (Adam Riley)

Rock kestrel feeding on a poisonous centipede that shows just how small these beautiful little birds really are… (Anja Denker)