Blacksmith Plovers and broken down 4x4s

Our guide, Emmanuel, is young, enthusiastic, and wise beyond his years. When he has a major problem with our 4×4 he’s seen it all before and soon gets us moving again. We have a diversion to another camp for a Masai man in full tribal costume to fix the punctured tyre. It gives me chance to go to the toilet, which means having a twenty minute guide to the camp, as the camp guide shows me all the reasons I should be staying here rather than travelling on.

Thankfully, the temporary halt doesn’t get in the way of us seeing the wildlife. A pair of Blacksmith Plovers, Vanellus armatus, are a delight. Their call is like a blacksmith’s hammer but I’m not convinced I’ve heard it.

They have intense dark red eyes.

What’s this?

It looks like they have a chick in tow. What a strange ungainly fluff-ball it is.

Beautiful.