Bird_watching | Safari Sense

10Jul 2024 by safarisense No Comments

Green Wood Hoopoe: Africa’s Iridescent Chatterbox – Birdnificent©

Bird_watching, Conservation, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari

Image | Ernest Nyamasyo Scientific Name; Physical Characteristics The Green Wood Hoopoe, scientifically known as Phoeniculus purpureus, presents a striking appearance. This slender, blackish bird boasts a green-blue iridescence across its plumage, particularly noticeable in certain lights where it shimmers with hues of green, blue, and violet. Its most prominent features include a long, graduated tail, and a distinctively long, curved red bill which is a hallmark of the species. During flight, the white wing bars and white-tipped tail feathers serve as distinctive markers. Male and female wood hoopoes share similar appearances, although females tend to be slightly smaller with shorter bills. Immature hoopoes exhibit duller colors and shorter, curved black bills. Size and Lifespan Green Wood Hoopoes typically measure between 38 to 41 centimeters in length. Regarding lifespan, these…

28Nov 2023 by safarisense

Swift Shadows: Unraveling the Mystique of the Cheetah

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

In the vast African savannas, a sleek and magnificent creature roams the open landscapes, embodying the very essence of speed and grace - the Cheetah. With fur as golden as the African sunsets, the Cheetah is not just an apex predator; it is a living testament to the intricate dance between biology and survival. In the Shadows of Speed: Anatomy and Adaptations The Cheetah's physique is a marvel of evolutionary ingenuity. Long-legged and lean, its slender body is a blueprint for acceleration. As a master of speed, the Cheetah boasts powerful muscles, particularly in its hind legs, propelling it forward like an arrow released from a bow. Its spine is unusually flexible, allowing the creature to stretch its body in mid-air during the chase, a maneuver that gives it the…

30Aug 2023 by safarisense

Dive into Adventure: Witness the Magnificent Whale Sharks off the Kenyan Coast!

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

Welcome, adventurous souls and curious wanderers, to a marine spectacle that will leave you in awe! If you've ever dreamed of swimming alongside gentle giants of the ocean, then Mombasa, Kenya, is your dream destination. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey with Safari Sense as we take you to the captivating waters of Mombasa for an encounter with the mesmerizing whale sharks. The Giants of the Ocean Picture this: you're gliding through the crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the vibrant marine life of the Indian Ocean, when suddenly, an enormous shadow emerges from the depths. As you look up, you're greeted by the awe-inspiring sight of a whale shark – the largest fish in the world! These magnificent creatures can reach lengths of up to 40 feet and have…

24Aug 2023 by safarisense

Experience the Untamed Beauty of Africa’s Painted Wolves!

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

As the golden sun sets over Laikipia's vast landscapes, I'm on the adventure of a lifetime. Our late afternoon game drive gifted us the sight of elephants strolling by a watering hole and lions basking in the fading light. But the best was yet to come. Around a bend in the dusty track, our guide's excitement was palpable – "Hang on, folks, get ready for a wild ride!" And boy, was he right! A symphony of yips and howls echoed, and out of the savannah emerged a pack of Africa's Wild Dogs, their mottled coats like nature's artwork. With adrenaline rushing, we trailed these predators, witnessing their coordinated tactics as they weaved through the grass, a blur of motion and strategy. It felt like stepping into a live documentary, heart…

23Aug 2023 by safarisense

Off The Beaten Track: Embark on an Unforgettable Journey to Central Island National Park

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

Discover the captivating allure of Central Island National Park, an oasis nestled in the heart of Lake Turkana. This extraordinary destination, spanning 5 square kilometers, is a testament to the wonders of nature. Enveloped by the serene waters of the lake, the park boasts an active volcano that occasionally releases wisps of sulfurous steam and smoke, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. Established as a sanctuary in 1983, Central Island National Park stands as a guardian of the Nile crocodile's breeding grounds. Within its boundaries lie three enchanting lakes: Crocodile Lake, Flamingo Lake, and Tilapia Lake, each a thriving ecosystem of its own. Venture into the south-eastern corner and encounter the El-Molo tribe, a resilient community that once numbered a mere 80 individuals, earning the title of Africa's smallest tribe. The tribe,…

30Jan 2023 by safarisense

Why Voluntary Waterfowl Bird Counts Play a Key Role in Climate Change Mitigation and Eco-tourism Promotion

Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Naivasha, Wildlife Safari

The morning air was crisp and chilly as we looked across Lake Naivasha, ready to board the single engine boat. We were here for the annual waterfowl counts, and I was not disappointed. As soon as we set off around the edge of lake, a flurry of activity caught my eye. A pair of fish eagles was perched on a dead tree; their piercing calls filling the air. I quickly set up my DSLR, and watched in awe as they gracefully swooped down to catch fish from the lake. As we continued, we were surrounded by a symphony of bird songs. The lake was alive with hundreds of different species, from the colorful pink-backed pelicans to the elusive little grebe. Kenya is home to a diverse array of waterfowl birds,…

04Feb 2022 by safarisense

Legendary Treetops Hotel – A Princess’s Turning Point

Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

The visitor's book at Treetops Hotel, NyeriOn February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth’s life changed forever.Together with her husband Prince Philip, they were staying in Treetops, a game-viewing lodge built in a tree in Aberdare National Park, when her father died and she became Queen. She was just 25-years-old.It was actually the next day at Sagana Lodge, 20 miles away, that she heard the news, but it is Treetops Hotel that has become synonymous with the event. The lodge, known for its rustic design, was built in 1932, and sits right in the middle of an ancient migration route for elephants between the Aberdare Ranges and Mt Kenya National Park. Treetops sits close to a natural salt lick, allowing guests to see animals as they come to drink water and lick…

01Feb 2022 by safarisense

Fundi Chuma! Why the Hamerkop is known as the Flying Architect

Bird_watching, Conservation, Excursion, Nairobi Area, Wildlife Safari

Along the shores of Kenya’s rivers and lakes, the Hamerkop rakes the muddy banks with its short, heavy bill, searching for frogs and fish. Occasionally, It also employs other tactics such as wiggling its feet in the mud to stir up the menu, and may even fly into the wind at low level and dip at the water’s surface to pick on unsuspecting fish. Dull brown, with a pale chin and throat, the Hamerkop is named for its unusual shape – the word “Hamerkop” meaning “hammerhead” in German, and aptly describes the bird’s profile with a prominent heavy crest at the back of its head. It belongs to the heron family. Although only about 30cm high, breeding pairs use twigs, mud, and grass to build the most remarkable permanent spherical…

19Aug 2021 by safarisense

Misadventure at Lake Naivasha

Bird_watching, Conservation, Holiday, Naivasha

There’re some experiences we try to gloss over when reviewing our travels. Not that they’re embarrassing, but probably coz of the mental stress they induce once recalled. Just the other year, at a time like now, I found myself on a motorboat, looking out for cormorants, pink backed pelicans, jacanas, and fish eagles, the air punctuated by different bird songs of Lake Naivasha’s approximately 400 recorded species. The lake extends like a vast sunlit sea, with dozens of water bird above and around the sparkling sheet of water surrounded by scenic hills and mountains. Amidst the sun’s reflections bouncing off the water droplets at the wake of the boat’s motor, colourful shiny-eyed superb starlings flit between the acacia trees on the shore, the backdrop made up of translucent tents of…

23Jul 2021 by Ernest Nyamasyo

Wildlife Photography Tips: Shooting Wildlife on a Cloudy Day

Bird_watching, Excursion, Game drive, Holiday, Wildlife Safari

The sunrays peaking through the thick rain forest vegetation offer little warmth to the morning chill of the Aberdares. Raising the jacket zipper a little BIT, I scan the horizon somehow instinctively. I’m looking out for any disturbance in the lush green bush. An odd or sudden movement. Or a change in the natural flow. A few meters to the left, a lone male buffalo pushes through the brush, purposefully turning his head towards me, curious - sharp horns sending a clear message. I note the uniqueness of his boss; the bridge between his primary weapons… an indicator of his experience – an old male, probably at the end of his years. Finger on the shutter, I let go a few shots from the DSLR, but suddenly the clouds close…

Category: Bird_watching