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
The Rhino’s Guard – the Red-Billed Oxpecker The Red-Billed Oxpecker's scientific name is Buphagus erythrorynchus. Bu means Ox, phagus means eat, erythro means red and rhynchus means… read more
Naked armpits I've seen Sacred Ibis before. They're beautiful and fascinating. This one has something I've never seen before, though. As it… read more
Twin interests This Lioness has clearly caught something cute, furry and with floppy ears. It's already had a good chew at it.… 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
The double-jointed ankles of the African Harrier Hawk It's the tiny head which first strikes me; and then the bare face with the orange skin. It's an African… read more
Zebras at sunset and a vision of heaven My guide, Johnson, here at Governors' Camp in the Masai Mara, has been brilliant. He's responded to my every wish,… read more
The Village Weaver As we head back to camp, I can see birds bathing in the pools of water left by the ruts… 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
Lion’s mane Isn't this big male Lion's mane fabulous? Lionesses prefer male Lions which have a dark bushy main. It's a sign… 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
Black-Backed Jackals Those cunning tricksters, the Black-Backed Jackals are back. Their ears are so pointy, and so are their noses. What a… read more