I have been a long-time bird-watching hater. I found birds boring, not that interesting, and generally to small and flighty. Literally (and figuratively, I suppose). My parents liked to watch birds. And feed them. I found that to be the dumbest thing ever and audibly rolled my eyes whenever “bird-watching” was involved.
Parrots were always the exception. Penguins are pretty cool too. But all the other bajillion species? Meh.
But then something embarrassing happened on my first safari to Tanzania…I call the Lilac Breasted Roller my gateway bird, because that’s exactly what it was. It was the bird that was pretty enough to make me interested in other birds that didn’t start with a p (parrots and penguins). It was the bird that convinced me that birds deserved another chance. It was the bird that made me stop in the bird section in my Wildlife of East Africa book, and actual look at the photos instead of skipping the pages entirely.
I guess I like birds now? After so many years it’s hard to write. I like birds.
So in an ode to the animals I now find interesting, I decided to post some of my very favorite bird pictures from Kenya. Because these birds are interesting, incredible, intricate, and exciting. They are all the reasons why I gave birds another chance.
The Crested Crane (Grey Crowned Crane)
We saw so many of these birds in Kenya. They also happen to be the national bird of Uganda. They are almost always found in pairs.
The Egyptian Goose
Regal, and always look much cleaner than the ducks I had when I was growing up.
The African Fish Eagle
One of multiple eagles we were fortunate enough to see–looks quite similar to a bald eagle. And equally large.
The Superb Starling
Superbly common, but no less pretty. This bird evaded any flying picture that dear husband was trying to capture the entire trip. Pretty impressive, for a bird.
The Lilac Breasted Roller
I’d tweet at this bird like Tweety Bird…it’s a pweettyy little bird. Ok, so not funny. But LOOK at this bird!! No wonder it was my gateway bird.
This is but just a part of all the different species; we also spotted a Pygmy Kingfisher, the infamously large Secretary Bird, a vulture (and a dead vulture), an African Darter, a Sacred Ibis, a Black-Winged Kite, and many more. In fact, I may need to do Kenya birds, part 2. Who ever thought I’d be doing multiple blog posts on birds. I certainly would have laughed.
But I still hate binoculars. They make me dizzy. So you can’t call me a birdwatcher just yet….
I could totally relate to this Heather because funnily enough, I used to always roll my eyes at the idea of bird watching until I went to Tanzania on my honeymoon and that was the first time, I actually found them fascinating and beautiful and stopped long enough to look at them with interest and looking at your pictures, I now recognise that I think I saw a few of those African fish eagle birds when I was out there. I love your close up of the Crested Crane too, just gorgeous!
Thanks Shikha! It’s funny how your perspective can change. Not that I’m excited to see finches at home, yet, though 🙂