Pied Kingfisher
This is my first view of a Pied Kingfisher. They are massive compared with the Common Kingfishers we see in the UK.
We’re lucky that it turns briefly and I can see its breast pattern. Otherwise I would only have seen it from the back.

What a special bird.
More on safari in Kenya
Topi There's a fast antelope called a Topi here. They often like to stand on hillocks, looking like sentinels. The only… read more
A day of Giraffes, Drongos, Sacred Ibis, Coucals and Snake-Eagles Masai Giraffes are tall. There are four species of Giraffe and this one is native to the Masai Mara. I… read more
A Saddle-Billed Stork and its dangling wattles The Saddle-Billed Stork or Saddlebill, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, is a truly huge bird. It's 4' 9" to 4' 11" tall. That's taller than my… read more
Cheetahs in the Masai Mara Gladys is driving us towards a pair of Cheetahs. "Oh yes! There". We're an excited group of four. A pair… read more
The street performer – a Bateleur Eagle with a rat We spotted a Bateleur Eagle as soon as we arrived in the Masai Mara. It was distant. All I could… read more
Spotted Hyenas It's my first view of Spotted Hyenas. What strange animals. They have such short back legs and long front legs.… read more
A gorgeous Three-Banded Plover and a Lilac-Breasted Roller We're in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. I think it's an indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser. Gladys is our local Kenyan guide for… read more
A White-Headed Saw-Wing There's an all-black Swallow-type bird next to our route, as we drive along the dusty compressed-earth tracks of the Masai… read more
Is this Hornbill small or is that caterpillar huge? There's an African Grey Hornbill flying past our 4x4 in the Masai Mara. It's come from behind and is flying… read more
Black-Backed Jackals We're out on a safari drive in the Masai Mara in Kenya. Our guide and driver, Gladys, is an expert… read more
Go on, bat those eyelashes at me I love how playful and how brown and fluffy the young Zebras are here in the Masai Mara. They're still… read more
Elephant and Egret This is a Cattle Egret Someone needs to tell it that. Because this is an Elephant. read more