The birds of Africa add great beauty, interest and a few laughs to my adventures. Their antics and habits are fascinating, sometimes comical. Also, thought provoking.
Wandering through the Okavango Delta, our guide, Tony Reumerman, of Wilderness Safaris, points out the Slaty egret. I learn that the Slaty Egret is a red data species-- critically endangered -- and this sighting is "really quite special", in Tony's words. Then we see a Black Egret and his unusual fishing style. Looking like your normal, everyday egret,
he turns into the caped crusader to lure fish into a seemingly protective shadow.
Then, of course, he zaps them!
On a remote island near Xigera in the Delta, while the morning is still cool and fresh, we crane our necks to look up into the thick, overhanging branches to search out the elusive and, again, critically endangered Pel’s Fishing Owl. Finally, Sam, our local guide sees a splash of golden color among the leaves.
We stay for a while hoping he may call to us but I will have to be content with this recording of what I might have heard. http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Scotopelia-peli-1.mp3
It is time to allow him to return to his solitude.
When I look at this magnificent creature it is difficult to comprehend that within a few years, none may survive. Man continues to encroach on his habitat and their numbers decline in some areas at the rate of 25% per year. My grandchildren probably will never have the chance to see this rare species.
With over 3500 animal species threatened or endangered, there are creatures that will become extinct before I have the chance to see them, nevermind my grandchildren. If I were to see one endangered species a day, it would take .... Well, you do the math.
Thinking positively, I could run out of animals to see in that ten year period because we reverse the trend of endangering species by protecting habitats, reducing the use of chemicals and slowing global warming. But I could also run out of animals to see because they become extinct before I get to them.
Late afternoon and a happy ending...Late afternoon and everyone starts thinking about dinner and a drink.
After a day of grazing, the buffalo, the impala and the els pick late afternoon for a last drink before dark.
Wild dogs don’t fair well against mightier predators so they want dinner in the late afternoon before competition comes on the scene.
The Pied Kingfisher needs to be able to see to hunt. Hovering above the water looking for his prey, he dive bombs his target and then, according to the bird books, will either hit it against a branch to kill it or sometimes, will drop it repeatedly on a rock. 
Looking for wild dogs this afternoon, we find a kingfisher that hit the mother load of fish..... She looks so proud holding dinner in her beak…
We watch as she gets the fish positioned properly to swallow it.
At this point, it doesn’t seem possible. Kingfisher versions of “The one that got away…” dance through my mind.
Then, she throws her head back and brings the fish down on her perch with incredible force.
After several whacks against the branch, she tries again, to get the fish in her beak.
Still no go.
Whack, whack, whack…. She tries again. Aha! Not just to kill her prey does the kingfisher beat her catch, she wants to pulverize it so it will go down easier!
This is hard work and she looks a little ruffled.
She seemed to be saying, “What was I thinking?”
Finally!
Well, maybe not. The fish seemed to be stuck –
Not going in, but not able to come out for further tenderizing. I wonder how many kingfishers are found feet up at the base of a tree with beak half stuffed with a fish just too big to swallow. Gluttony!
She stretched her neck…
Almost too slowly to see, she made progress.
And ever so slowly,
the fish disappeared… 
Kingfisher smile...
Most amazing is that she immediately flies off to another branch to watch the river flowing below presumably looking for dessert.
