Birding with Kenn and Kimberly

Kenn Writes:  Work in progress: African Fish Eagle Related to the Bald Eagle of North America; somewhat different in structure and notably different in voice, with loud, ringing cries. Last month in Kruger we saw these eagles almost every day, but I had only a few good opportunities to study and sketch them at close range.

Kenn Writes:  Work in progress: Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill In Kruger last month, I took several opportunities to study and sketch this bird because I was intrigued by its facial expression. Its odd bill shape and garish pink and yellow touches are certainly distinctive, but "beautiful" isn't the first word that comes to mind. "Interesting," though, that definitely fits. (Actually, "in progress" is the wrong term also; this painting has reached the point where I'll ditch it and start over, because some details of structure are wrong and some of the colors are irretrievably muddy. Still adjusting to these new oil paints. But I thought I'd share it anyway.)

Kenn Writes:  Random sketchbook: African Harrier-Hawk The name "Harrier-Hawk" is unfortunate; this broad-winged, big-headed, loose-feathered raptor isn't remotely similar to a harrier. But it's so structurally interesting that I couldn't resist sketching it. We had several good studies of this species in Kruger National Park, including this adult near Pafuri.

Kimberly Writes:  We're carefully planning our last precious hours in South Africa. So with thoughts of home streaming in around the edges of a dream trip, we're going outside. We're going outside to bask in the South African sun -  like this Laughing Dove. We're going to keep our eyes and ears open to the world  of possibilities - like this tiny new elephant. And we're going to enjoy being together - like these lovely Blue Cranes. I am deeply, powerfully, and immensely grateful to Kenn for planning a stunningly flawless trip for us. It has been absolute perfection every single day, and I will cherish the memories of the gift of this trip for the rest of my life.

Kimberly Writes:  Today, we had the distinct pleasure of birding with Callan Cohen, owner of Birding Africa Tours , and one of the authors of the Southern Africa Birdfinder guide! Our dear friend Ethan Kistler works for Callan, and together with Ethan's girlfriend Billi Krochuk, we spent the day in some really superb birding spots. If you're interested in a trip to Africa focused on birds, I highly recommend this company! When we started out this morning, I mentioned three species we really hoped to see: Black Harrier, Blue Crane, and Verreaux's Eagle. And with impressive precision, Ethan and Callan found us all three, plus so many more amazing birds (and some mind-blowing insects, too)! Blue Cranes are among the most elegant birds I've ever seen. With soft, curving lines, elongated wing feathers that flow behind the bird like jet-black ribbons, dancing and swaying in the breeze, and movements graceful enough for the finest ballet, it isn't hard to understand

Kenn Writes:  Random sketchbook: African Penguin This bird has a limited range, and I'd never seen it before -- this was my 14th penguin species. I had done field sketches of other penguins in the past; they often sit still (which is good) but they're often in very cold places (not so good). When I was sketching Chinstrap Penguins in the Antarctic, for example, my hands were so cold that I couldn't feel the pencil, with or without gloves on. So it was a pleasure to watch these African Penguins in shirtsleeve weather at Boulders Beach, south of Cape Town, when Kimberly and I went there as part of our anniversary celebration.

Kimberly Writes:  Today is our anniversary, and it was the kind of day that dreams are made of. We had perfect weather, perfect scenery, and perfect birds. And I had the perfect company!  It's been just the two of us this entire trip, which has made this trip very special for me. But today, we spent some time hanging out with a few other couples who were also celebrating love and romance! This handsome pair of African Black Oystercatchers was resting on the edge of the ocean. We thought they made a beautiful couple. This Glossy Ibis couple was looking particularly fetching as they stood close to one another in the morning sunlight -- on the edge of the sewage ponds! A Greater Flamingo couple that we hung out with this morning! Water Thick-knees (sometimes called Water Dikkop), are such cool birds! Aptly named for the fact that they have thicker knee joints than most birds their size, they're usually most active at night, so we felt certain that this coupl

Kimberly Writes: We woke early today, and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the lovely Howard's End Manor , our home for the next few days. Our wonderful hostess, Bronwen Dawes, made us feel so welcome, and we highly recommend this place to anyone planning a trip to Cape Town! After breakfast, we headed for the beach. Well, sort of. We headed in the *direction* of the beach, but drove past all the people soaking up the sun, on our way to a much better place!  We were headed for the Strandfontein Sewage Ponds!  This waste water treatment plant is actually a famous birding spot, and if you think that sounds a little crazy, you might want to take a look at today's photo album and see the birds that we found there! The bizarre yet beautiful Greater Flamingo.  Greater Flamingos are the largest and most widespread species of the flamingo family, and here on the sewage ponds, there were flocks totaling in the hundreds. Sitting still, they're beautiful, bu

Kimberly Writes: Trees play a vital role in the way of life here, for the people and for the wildlife. We've spent some time trying to learn some of the common trees of the region, and we'd come to recognize and admire a few of them, like the Baobab and the Mopane. But today, our appreciation for the trees was taken to a whole new level, as they provided the backdrop for some of the most sensational discoveries of the trip. During a stop at one of the camps to stretch, and replenish our water supply, we discovered a small group of Epauletted Fruit-bats roosting in a large tree! I love bats, and have spent a great deal of time watching Little Brown and Big Brown Bats at home in Ohio. It was wonderful to see larger bats, roosting in a spot that allowed for great observation, and I even got some photos! A close up up one of the Epauletted Fruit-bat reveals a  cute, dog-like face! How could anyone not love bats?! You don't drive through Kruger expecting t

Kimberly Writes:  During this trip, we've been blessed to spend time with some of the most spectacular mammals on the planet. But birds will always be at the heart of my interest in nature. They sparkle and shine, they flit and they soar, and they sing and dance in ways that I find endlessly captivating. Birds are a doorway to the natural world that introduces people to the diversity that exists - if you simply go out and look for it. So today's post highlights just a few of the wonderful birds we were fortunate enough to see and photograph!  We've seen Crested Barbet in every camp in Kruger National Park.  And that's just fine by me, because they're just so totally cool! Our fourth roller species of the trip, the European Roller!  (We've also had Lilac-breasted, Purple, and Broad-billed.) This dapper Mocking Cliff Chat was a life bird for me AND for Kenn  (something that doesn't happen all that often!). And, another v

Kenn Writes:  Random sketchbook: Goliath Heron  This huge bird, the largest heron in the world, lives only in Africa. It was one of the species that I particularly wanted to study on this trip for a future painting, but the few we'd seen had been very distant. Today Kimberly spotted one along the river near Oliphants, and we were able to watch it through the scope for a long time. The Goliath Heron can be up to 50 percent larger than the Great Blue Heron of North America, and I was trying to capture those elements of shape that create its ponderous and massive appearance.

Kimberly Writes:  I am thankful each and every day for the love of family and friends, for my health, for my job and the amazing people I work with, and for the blessing of spending my life with the man of my dreams.  Today, I am particularly thankful for the renewal of life. It touches my heart to see these fresh new faces, and it fills me with a deepened sense of commitment to conserving the natural world and its bountiful gifts. Yes, these are baby giraffes. And, yes, I cried my eyes out when I first laid eyes on them!  There's nothing much sweeter than a tiny baby elephant! It stayed very close to mama and was always hidden  in the tall grass, but this little baby Rhinoceros was utterly delightful! Even baby Warthogs are adorable! A tiny newborn Impala. They seem so fragile and vulnerable at this stage. A very young, very precious Chacma Baboon with a  little treasure that   it found along the road Without question,