Isn’t is amazing how babies bring out the warm, fuzzy feeling in us all.  Those oohs, aahs and cuuuuutes just pop out of our mouths when we see a brand new little person. I have been following the progress of my nephew’s baby on FaceBook but got to meet him in person on Saturday. Of course I fell instantly in love.   First to hold him was Earl, who examined his hands to see whether they were ready to hold a fishing rod.   “You’d better be as good as your dad,” he warned the unsuspecting youngster.   Matthew looked at him intently and proved his strength by squeezing hard as he held his fingers!I

Of course I want to go fishing!

Isn’t he adorable

Proud parents

My sister with her grandson

Showing him the view from Granny and Grandpa’s lounge

It’s a great view!

Matthew wasn’t the only baby I went gaga over this weekend.   In my madness, I decided to brave the howling south-easterly wind and go on the Cape Bird Club’s outing to the Philippi Wetlands!   After all the winter rains, the surrounding farms had water-logged fields that attracted myriads of birds.   Both lesser and greater flamingo were seen but the highlight for me were the baby birds.   On one pond we found three species with young and just as we are fascinated by the offspring of our own species so we are with those of  birds and beasts too!!

Mommy coot with ‘cootlings’

A large Yellow-billed duck family

Cape Shoveller Chicks following Mommy

I did not take any other photographs – just getting the chicks was good enough for me on such a windy day.   It made the weekend complete.