01 August 2024

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species

Bird Species / Bird Photography at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Birdlife Photography Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Cape White-Eye : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Cape White-Eye Bird Posing : Kirstenbosch Birding  © Vernon Chalmers

'Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index'

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Map | Directions >>

Photographer: Vernon Chalmers

The 'Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index' is a relatively new personal Kirstenbosch Bird Species Index photography project around Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: 

Small bird photography at Kirstenbosch
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a safe and natural environment for photographers enjoying birding, butterfly and / or flower photography. The historical gardens are professionally landscaped, well-manicured with public access to acres of lawn grass, flowers, shrubs and trees for photographing many of the large variety of smaller garden bird species during a single photography session. There are many footpaths and grass areas providing relatively close access ab abundance of smaller birds across most areas.

Kirstenbosch birding photography training also offered as Photography Training Gift Vouchers

Recommended camera lenses for photographing small birds at Kirstenbosch
Any (zoom) lens covering the 70-200mm / 70-300mm / 100-400mm / 100-500mm or 150-600mm focal length range. I have found my 70-200mm / 70-300mm lenses a bit 'short' for real close-up images of the smaller Kirstenbosch garden birds. For most of my bird photography at Kirstenbosch I use my Canon 100-400mm zoom lens and / or 400mm prime lens (paired with different camera bodies). Below the Cape robin-chat image is my Canon camera / lens equipment list for small bird photography at Kirstenbosch. 

Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden  More >>

Kirstenbosch National Garden Address
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town
Google Map / Directions

"Kirstenbosch General Bird Photography Tips
  • Best Spots: The Boomslang Canopy Trail, Protea and Erica sections, and the indigenous forest areas are excellent for spotting a variety of birds.
  • Best Times: Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for birdwatching.
  • Recommended Equipment: Vernon often uses a Canon 100-400mm zoom lens or a 400mm prime lens for bird photography 1. " (Source: Microsoft Copilot)

Cape Bulbul Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Copyright Vernon Chalmers
Cape Bulbul : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Map & Directions Kirstenbosch Google Map

With the Americans at Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Town View

Tremendous Thursday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View

Fabulous Friday at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden View 

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Images © Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright Policy

The Paddocks Milnerton Bird Species Index View

Woodbridge Island / Table Bay Nature Reserve Bird Species Index View

Cape Robin-Chat -  Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index
Cape Robin-Chat : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Canon EOS Cameras used for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Species Index
  • Canon EOS 70D
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II
  • Canon EOS 6D
  • Canon EOS R

Karoo Prinia Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Garden Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Karoo Prinia : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Garden, Cape Town


Cape Spurfowl Kirstenbosch Garden After the Rain Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography
Cape Spurfowl Kirstenbosch Garden After the Rain

Canon EF Telephoto Lenses used for the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Bird Species Index
  • Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens
  • Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens
  • Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens

Southern Double-Collared Sunbird : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Garden
Southern Double-Collared Sunbird : Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town

Birding Photography at Kirstenbosch

Birdwatching at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Cape Town