Friday 1st March, late afternoon cruise on the Okavango River, upstream from Mahangu Lodge. For the most part we hugged the opposite bank, which I think formed part of the national park.
As we move off, we look over to the lodge and its double-decker boat. We’re on the single decker one.WaterbuckDisappearing bushbuckMalachite kingfisher, with preyGreat white egretThis very large elephant seemed extremely angry as he ripped up the grass. Anthropomorphism on my part, no doubt.Little egretEgyptian geeseAfrican jacanaWhat a difference in light when I swing my camera to the opposite bank.Squacco heronDarterWhite-fronted bee-eaterOn the other bank, two go-away-birdsAyre’s Hawk-eagleLittle bee-eater and White-fronted bee-eaterLittle bee-eaterAfrican jacanaStaring out at us, a juvenile Black-crowned night-heronBuffaloBushbuckAfrican Fish-eagleMalachite kingfisherPeople were very excited to see this, an ‘uncommon resident’, a White-backed Night-heron.The light was falling, and the boat hastened us back to the lodge. My camera had difficulty with the light level as I pointed it at these hippos, … … and at my colleagues as they relaxed after a fascinating couple of hours. Time to look at photos rather than take them.
It’s not just bees they eat! Wikipedia: As their name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by flights from an open perch. The stinger is removed by repeatedly hitting and rubbing the insect on a hard surface.
Musiewild's blog 
What a wonderful trip you had on that boat.
LikeLike
We certainly did, and it wasn’t the last.
LikeLike
Fascinating. Well done with such good pictures.
LikeLike
Thanks Mary.
LikeLike
Some beautiful birds there – I think the malachite kingfisher is my fave. The bee-eaters are very pretty but the name puts me off!
LikeLike
It’s not just bees they eat! Wikipedia: As their name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which are caught in the air by flights from an open perch. The stinger is removed by repeatedly hitting and rubbing the insect on a hard surface.
LikeLike
What an outing and what good pictures you took to illustrate what you saw.
LikeLike
Thank you Tom.
LikeLike
What a perfect and relaxing afternoon with much to see. Such colourful birds. Bravo for having caught the juvenile Black-crowned night-heron!
LikeLike
Nowt to do with me – rather the excellent ‘field’craft of our leaders and the boatmen!
LikeLike