First, give me credit for being able to focus on birds while surrounded by elephants, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, lions, crocodiles, baboons, cheetahs and a variety of interesting antelope. The fabled Serengeti Plains provide the ultimate wildlife experience for anyone. But, not to take anything away from other wildlife, there is an exceptional avifauna to experience – more than 1,100 species of birds have been recorded in Kenya – fewer in Masai Mara National Park where I spent eight September days. Indeed, memorable birds were a part of each day, in camp and in the field: Gray Crowned Cranes, Secretarybirds, Ostriches, Lilac-breasted Rollers, Malachite Kingfishers, Yellow-billed Storks and Long-crested Eagles to name a few.

The Superb Starling is aptly named and among the most beautiful birds Paul photographed in southern Kenya.

I knew what to expect and what to prepare for, having conducted an expansive field project for five months across the nations of Zambia, Botswana and South Africa a couple decades before. Actually, bird photography is similar wherever you travel: 1) You need sunlight, or you need to get the most from muted sun under periods of cloud cover; using a flash is an option. 2) You need a good Land Rover driver who appreciates your interest in birds, and 3) you need to photograph what you encounter when you encounter it in relatively quick order.

“Get your photos and go” is the theme, unless you are on a personal tour or a specialized bird photography tour. I was happy to share my vehicle and driver with other travelers from around the world who were not necessarily excited to stop for all the interesting birds we encountered. As usual, though, my interest in birds was inspiring, and people were quick to ask me questions about the impressive birds we encountered here and there between observations of gazelles, impala, buffalo, wildebeest and monkeys.

Gray Crowned Cranes are among the crowned jewels of African birds.

My driver Lucy, who has a degree in wildlife biology and ecotourism from a nearby Kenyan college, and who belonged to the local Masai community, was a super guide and driver; and she could change a flat as well as anyone in the field (I helped, of course). Lucy was likewise interested in birds and was a great help to my photography endeavors – avian, mammalian and reptilian – and she was patient about me asking her to stop the engine to reduce camera shake.

* Turn off the engine – A key practice for any vehicle-based trip afield – in East Africa or east Arizona – is that the engine of the car, truck, van and, especially, a Land Rover must be turned off to stop any vehicle vibrations that can affect your photos.

* Keep the sun on your subject, preferably during morning and late afternoon when the sun is at the best angle for photography. Make sure your driver knows that it’s best to maneuver into position so the sun is behind you and your shadow is in front of you, whenever possible. Some drivers are already aware of this preference or, once informed, they move into the best position automatically. Of course, there are always some situations where it’s not possible to get into a preferred position, but that’s part of the photography challenge sometimes – take what you can get and work with it the best you can.

* Timing of your visit can make a big difference for you to get the most out of your photo trip. The time of year you visit can help with the percentage of sunny days during your trip. Timing can also dictate the color of the plants and landscape (green vs. brown or yellow); and whether the sky is clear blue or smoky gray (traditional dry season fires create a hazy or smoky landscape and sky). Many people avoid the rainy season, but I found that there are just as many sunny days, rain usually only lasts for part of a given day, the landscape is lush green, there is no smoke or haze, and the birds tend to be more active because many species nest during or after the rains.

Bee-eaters are very active hunters of flying insects in the Old World, although this Little Bee-eater was photographed during a quiet moment.

* Season – The availability of certain species and the total variety and abundance of bird species depends on the season you choose to visit. Many species from Europe and Asia migrate to Africa during the Northern Hemisphere’s fall and winter. During winter, you can appreciate photographing individuals and flocks of several species of migrant storks and shorebirds, plus a variety of raptors. For instance, Steppe Eagles, Amur Falcons, White Storks, Black Storks, Abdim’s Storks, Curlew Sandpipers, Ruffs, Wood Sandpipers and many more. Then too, prior to and during the nesting season the colors of bare skin and plumage of native species is colored at its best, and you will be duly impressed with their behaviors, songs and calls.

* Luck is the final ingredient to a successful bird photo safari. Bird behavior and availability, weather, the time of year and the varied parameters of any trip abroad are all such big variables that luck must play a part in any fulfilling photo trip, or even during individual photo opportunities.

Beyond the field and even before you begin any international trip, make sure you have a second charged battery for your camera, and extra batteries if you use an external flash. Likewise, take two photo cards (one in your camera, and a spare in your photo backpack or case). I like to copy photos from my camera’s photo card to a flash drive just to have a back-up of the photos I take, and I take my laptop and copy photos to the computer hard drive too. When you spend thousands of dollars to get to a site and manage to take priceless photos, you should do all you can to assure you have a back-up or two, just in case.

Long-crested Eagles were relatively common in the northern Serengeti, and it was a species Paul always hoped to photograph.

I also always keep my photo equipment with me on the plane, and as close as possible while I’m on the ground. I like to have my camera within reach so I know where it’s at and that it’s ready to use. I even take it to the meal table with me, mostly to be prepared when an exciting bird shows up unexpectantly.

It’s an amazing opportunity to observe and photograph the remarkable native birds of East Africa, along with species that migrate there from northern latitudes – especially when surrounded by elephants, leopards, bushbucks, lions and other amazing wildlife. Looking at my photos brings back vivid memories of each species and many individual birds, and I’m excited to share some images with you today. Can’t wait to return!

Article and photographs by Paul Konrad

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