The Cape Bird Club

    Celebrating 60 years of the Club, birds and birding in the         Western Cape.

Meeting on 8 May 2008 at Kramer LT1, UCT- middle campus.

A special meeting was held at the University of Cape Town (UCT) middle campus to celebrate the 60th anniversary (diamond) of the Cape Bird Club.
Drinks were served after we all signed in. We then went to the lecture theatre, where the evening was introduced by Mel Tripp and Vernon Head welcomed Peter Steyn (President of the CBC) to recall parts of his 60 years of birding. This was followed by snacks, prize giving and and further announcements of the annual celebration calendar.

Mel Tripp welcoming all in the atrium to explain        Mel the MC introducing and welcoming invited guests,
the order of events for the evening.                          members, friends and the press.

Part of the 200 members who attended.                     Otto Schmidt setting up the video presentation
                                                                              for Peter Steyn.

Vernon lighting a candle for the Owls.                  Peter Steyn regaling his 60 years as The Birdman.

Peter presented selected photos from his first, as a boy, (Coot nest with eggs) to recent ones of mostly land based birds. The quality of all were exceptional. The quality of the film slides (Kodachrome) has endured even through to the digitised copies for this presentation.

He certainly can inspire any potential or longtime "bird watcher" with his often pioneering exploits in many parts of southern Africa and elsewhere in the world. He recalled many names of friends with whom he had shared countless hours of bird watching, observing and photographing. Few people are prepared to spend and invest the same energy and time these days, doing what he has achieved with his love of birds.
Peters enthusiasm is still very infectious after all these years of being "The Birdman".

Yvonne Knowles receiving a hug and her prize.    A champange year for this prize winner.

Jo Hobbs trying to duck the camera.                         Past Chairman Jan Hofmeyer and Yvonne.

This was John Graham's prize which he very kindly    One of the banners with "our" Cape Sugarbird.
shared with all and It disappeared in no time.

The BirdLife "Owl Award" to the CBC in 2008.    The Diamond Anniversary Committee (with Jo Hobbs
                                                                      missing from the picture)

Members and friends reacquainting, some planning new adventures to see birds in far off places.