We arrived at our hotel, the Hansa Hotel, in Swakopmund late in the afternoon on August 9, 2012, after birding in the Walvis Bay/Kuiseb Delta area. After checking in, we decided to do a quick look-around the hotel's courtyard. This Southern Masked-Weaver (Ploceus velatus) was one of the species that we saw. The male, shown here, has a red iris, a black-colored pointed bib, and a black mask that extends across its forehead. Underparts are a bright yellow. Aptly named for their elaborately woven nests, this species builds its nests of papyrus, grass and twigs. Temperatures were in the upper 70's on this clear afternoon.