Photographing birds from the hides at Rietvlei - Table Bay Nature Reserve

I planned a visit to Table Bay Nature Reserve over the weekend as it had been recommended by a friend and I was very keen to take some photographs. It was raining, but my husband and I forged ahead anyway.

Overcast weather is great for taking photographs. Cloudy conditions means that the lighting is very soft and there is little contrast to cause distracting dark shadows or overexposed highlights.

We parked in the reserve after paying a reasonable entry fee and set out on the path leading towards the boardwalk and the hides.

There are two bird hides and we decided to visit the Old Friends Hide first where we met avid photographers Jan and Frieda Prinsloo. Frieda’s fabulous photograph of a white-breasted cormorant catching a fish was recently published on the cover of Table Talk, a weekly community newspaper.

My photography is usually focused on portraits, pets and events and I had to rely on my Canon EF 70-200 mm and hope to get a decent shot of a bird from the hide. Jan and Frieda were great company and generously shared some bird photography tips with us.

Now, at the beginning of summer, is a good time to visit the hides as the birdlife is prolific. We spotted a group of ducklings following after their mother, but she quickly hid them in the reeds.

There are many photographers visiting the reserve who obviously have a very keen interest in birds and wildlife. There are not only birds in the reserve. Otters have been spotted from the hides and there are steenbok, Cape grysbok and common duiker as well as a number of other mammals and reptiles. We also came across several different species of plants and flowers in the reserve.

The Rietvlei wetlands is a magical place. Stuck in the traffic on the R27, I have often admired the flamingos while hoping to spot pelicans floating gracefully on the air currents. This was a great opportunity to observe the pelicans closely as they glided past the bird hides.

The birds are quite nervous and easily disturbed so we made our way as quietly as possible to the next hide which had recently been vacated by a group of photographers.

There is no doubt that this reserve is really special situated as it is amidst a constantly growing suburb and in close proximity to the Caltex Oil Refinery.If you are a keen photographer or birdwatcher or simply love nature then this is the place to visit.