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 tell was that its tail was almost non-existent. Then it flew away.
I checked the details about the species and found they have an absolutely enormous range.
“Their hunting range can be truly enormous ranging in some cases up to 55 to 200 km2“
I think I’m not going to see it again.
I was wrong. There’s one flying directly towards me with what looks like a rat in its beak. That’s incredible.
It’s almost above our car now. What an exceptional bird.
Bateleur means ‘Street-performer’ in French. This one is performing perfectly. They are mid-sized eagles, but still large birds.
Just look at those eyes.
What an amazing experience.
More adventures on safari in Kenya
Southern Ground Hornbills There's a massive bird as big as a Turkey wandering through the close-cropped grass. It has a strange-shaped bill, a… read more
Common Drongos Today's another chance for me to appreciate Common Drongos. They have distinctive forked tails and intense red eyes set in… read more
Lilac-Breasted Roller attack Sometimes there's such an extraordinary moment and it seems impossible that you could have captured it. There's a dispute between… read more
Grey Crowned Crane It's one metre tall and has a two metre wingspan. It has a ridiculous crown. It has an inflatable red… read more
Can you kneel on your wrists? Common Warthogs are fabulous creatures. Just look at that hairy face! I love this one's blonde moustache and perky tail.… read more
Black-Headed Heron There's a Black-Headed Heron with what looks like a snake. I know they eat fish and amphibians, but I didn't… read more
A male Pied Kingfisher There's a perched male Pied Kingfisher on a branch nearby here in the Masai Mara. They are large, impressive birds.… read more
Cattle Egret portrait I've seen Cattle Egrets in Devon, but never been as close as I am now to this Cattle Egret in… read more
Playful Lion There's nothing more fulfilling in wildlife photography than having an animal be completely relaxed in your presence. Seeing a lion… read more
Elephant and Egret This is a Cattle Egret Someone needs to tell it that. Because this is an Elephant. read more
A Lion’s yawn shows its lingual frenulum This male Lion is having a bit of a yawn. I adore the wrinkles on its nose and its wavy,… read more
Black-Shouldered Kite There's a Black-Shouldered Kite, Elanus caeruleus, at the top of the bush. It's very far away, but we are gradually… read more