Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

Posted by Derrick on May 13, 2010 in Tamboti News | 0 comments

Inzweece (Zulu). Ujejane. (Xhosa)

The African Paradise-Flycatcher  is back in the garden at Tamboti Bush Lodge. This pretty little bird and its mate are back in the garden after their trans-African flight. They make beautiful little nests a little bigger than an eggcup on the end of small branches. The nests are made with roots; grass and leaves bound together with spider web and decorated with tiny pieces of lichen. The couple are monogamous and will only find a new mate if their mate dies. They have between 2 and 4 chicks, who very quickly out grow the nest and you will find them all perched on the edge of the nest waiting for food. The parents are quite fearless and will readily attack even birds as large as hornbills if they come close to the nest. A few years ago one very lucky birdwatcher at Tamboti was sitting right under the nest and she managed to video record the two chicks as they fledged. The adults make amazing parents as they spend all of their time with the chicks until they are fully grown. The family is very vocal and you can easily trace and follow them in the trees.

Interesting Health Matters

Q: Doctor,  I’ve heard that  cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your  heart is only good for so many  beats, and that’s it…  don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out  eventually.  Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can extend  the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer?  Take a  nap.

Q: Should  I cut  down on meat and  eat more fruits and  vegetables?
A: You  must grasp logistical efficiencies.  What does a cow eat?   Hay and corn.    And what are these?  Vegetables.  So a steak  is nothing more  than an efficient mechanism of  delivering vegetables to your  system.   Need grain?   Eat  chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass  (green leafy vegetable).   And a pork chop can  give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of  vegetable  products.

Q: Should  I reduce my  alcohol intake?
A:  No, not at all.  Wine is made from  fruit.  Brandy is distilled wine,  that means they take the water out of  the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way.   Beer is also made out of grain.  Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well,  if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.  If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What  are some of  the advantages of participating in a regular exercise  program?
A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry.  My  philosophy is: No  Pain…Good!
Q:  Aren’t  fried  foods bad for you?
A:  YOU’RE  NOT  LISTENING!!! …..  Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact,  they’re permeated in it.  How could getting more vegetables be bad for  you?

Q:  Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around  the middle?
A: Definitely not! When  you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You  should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q:  Is chocolate bad for me?
A:  Are   you crazy? HELLO  Cocoa  beans ! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!

Q:  Is  swimming good for your figure?
A:  If swimming is good for  your figure, explain whales to  me.

Q:  Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A:  Hey!  ‘Round’ is a shape!

Well,   I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about  food and diets.

And  remember: ‘Life should  NOT  be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved  body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one  hand – chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up,  totally worn out and screaming ‘WOO  HOO, What a  Ride’

AND…..

For  those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final  word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of  fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little  red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than  Americans.

4. The  Italians drink a lot of red  wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of  sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat  and drink what you like.
Speaking English is appararently what kills you

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