An Uplifting Sound
One of the sounds that I think typifies Africa is that of the fish eagle. Absolutely unmistakable to anyone who has heard it. Those who know a little of them also know that the call is from one fish eagle to his/her mate who is always close. The sight of one of these 2 metre wingspan birds plucking a fish from the water is one that is not forgotten easily.
Now, here in Durban south, amongst the quarries, despite (by European standards) having a cornucopia of bird species, the fish eagle was present only very rarely but about a year ago, we hear the call every day and can see on occasion four birds way, way up.
They seem to live near one of the local streams although what they find to eat, who knows?
Right, back to my favourite municipal mismanager - Fidel Sutcliffe. I understand he managed to find time to attend the opening of the new airport. I gather he had to take a break from removing the black paint from street signs around Durban. The first time he has set foot on the new airport. I hope everyone there including Jacob Zuma was suitably deferential. Anyhoo he stayed to listen to Zuma’s speech and then departed to open a new can of thinners.
I had to go to an unfamiliar part of Durbs the other day and I had to go to a street that had an unmemorable Zulu name and an equally unmemorable English name. I knew I was at the right spot when I came across a street sign that was completely blacked out. Not a trace of white. I think I’ll start a website where local punters can anonymously post pics of their cartographic endeavours.