Capturing the Moment

  The Malachite Kingfisher is high up on most birder's list when they come on safari in Africa. Sometimes the smallest birds are the most gorgeous! Bird watching in East Africa is an unparalleled experience, offering some of the most vibrant and diverse birdlife on the planet. With over 1,100 species spread across habitats ranging from lush rainforests and savannas to coastal wetlands and arid landscapes, East Africa is a treasure trove for both novice and seasoned bird watchers. Iconic spots like Kenya's West Tsavo and Masai Mara, Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Tanzania's Serengeti National Park offer incredible viewing opportunities. The region’s migratory corridors make it a prime destination to spot unique species, including multiple eagle species, tiny kingfishers, colorful rollers, and countless migratory birds from Europe and Asia. The diversity of East African bird species, including colorful weavers, majestic raptors, and rare endemic species, draws e...

  We are here in the Masai Mara, which is Kenya's top notch destination for a wildlife safari. It is Day 9 of our safari, and by now we have seen most of the big animals in this part of East Africa. So the group was thinking, 'what else could be possibly see, that we havn't already?' That is when the Mara served up something special, lion cubs. This picture captures the essence of our morning game drive. Encountering baby big cats is one of my all-time favorite things while on safari. There really is not much out there that is cuter than a baby lion, or cheetah, or some other big cat. We got word about possible baby lion cubs, but they were down a very muddy path. Luckily we had the right vehicle and the right driver. Jackson tore down this slippery, muddy track, off the main road. It was like Tokyo drift as we tried to keep some speed so we wouldn't bog down. The exciting driving paid off as we came across our target, two mother lions with five cubs. They were very...