The powerful and enormous Big 5 was amazing to see — at least the ones that made an appearance — but some of my favorite animals to spot in Kruger were of the more compact variety. The birds and other small creatures going about their day-to-day lives dressed in their colorful feathers hunting or bathing did a good job of sometimes stealing the show.
Enjoy the vibrant, slightly smaller side of Kruger through the 100-400mm lens I rented for our big Kruger safari adventure.
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill with a spider in its mouth for lunch.
The Undertaker
Southern Carmine Bee-Eater
Pied Kingfisher
The next two images are of a Grey Heron who caught himself some lunch. A Hawk was lurking in the trees, swooped down but was unsuccessful in stealing the Herons’ lunch. It was a very cool scene!
The Attack
Not so fast Mr. Hawk!
Goliath Heron
European Roller snack time
Starling
Yellow-Billed Stork
My favorite! The Saddle-Billed Stork
Frog dessert
Hamerkop
Fishing
Egyptian Goose
Bath Time
African Fish Eagle (with lunch under its claws)
Dung Beetle (We slammed on the brakes of the car when we saw a ball moving very quickly across the road. These beetles do some serious work, standing in a hand stand — if you will — and pushing the dung ball with their hind legs.)
Lizard with a deck view
Stand alone
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill with a spider in its mouth for lunch.
The Undertaker
Southern Carmine Bee-Eater
Pied Kingfisher
The Attack
Not so fast Mr. Hawk!
Goliath Heron
European Roller snack time
Starling
Yellow-Billed Stork
My favorite! The Saddle-Billed Stork
Frog dessert
Hamerkop
Fishing
Egyptian Goose
Bath Time
African Fish Eagle (with lunch under its claws)
Dung Beetle (We slammed on the brakes of the car when we saw a ball moving very quickly across the road. These beetles do some serious work, standing in a hand stand — if you will — and pushing the dung ball with their hind legs.)
Lizard with a deck view
Stand alone
Annemiek
Feb 27, 2013 -
Absolutely stunning. Those flying little animals have so much character and you caught it so well on camera. I’m quite impressed by your knowledge of bird species as well, hey
. Hope you’re enjoying Thailand in the mean time. cheers, Annemiek
Love and Passports
Mar 1, 2013 -
Thanks Annemiek! Thailand is treating well, but still miss our little Strand home and South Africa. Hope you are well!
jackie davis
Feb 28, 2013 -
That has always amazed me about your photo’s, you know the names of all species. Do you google before posting? I love the birds, love to watch them in my back yard, you have a full canvas to view from. Lovely!
Love and Passports
Mar 1, 2013 -
The little birds are some of my favorites as well! Google is always handy when looking for the correct name, but for Kruger we had a book with species and drawing of them. Worked out great!