I get up early this morning to catch the sunrise – there is a beautiful mist rising over the river.
Sensing some movement out of the corner of my eye, I spot a new bird (to me) in amongst the foliage: a Mangrove Sunbird.
Speckled Pigeon
Catching the sunrise was not the only reason I got up early today; we are off on a boat trip through the mangroves this morning.
It's a glorious sunrise.
An old boat lies moored near the lodge.
The water is very still, creating beautiful reflections.
Guinea Baboons
Just around the corner from the lodge, where our tributary meets a wider river, the trees are full of baboons. There are five different species of baboons worldwide, and the Guinea Baboons found here in The Gambia are the smallest.
These are a new (sub)species for us, and I am very excited to see and photograph them at such close quarters.
It looks like there may be more baboons here in the future.
I am so in love with their facial expressions.
African Darter drying out his wings.
Great White Egret
Green Backed Heron
Blue Breasted Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
Rose Ringed Parakeet
African Darter
A crocodile sunbathes on the bank of the river.
He doesn't look too friendly.
I hope he didn't hear me and is coming for his revenge!
I am very excited to see this elegant and flamboyant Violet Turaco fly over – another new one for me.
One of the birds on my wish list when I came over here, was the Western Plantain Eater. Here they are two-a-penny!
Oyster Factory
Oysters are big business around here, with the meat being eaten, and the shells burnt to make lime which is mixed with water to make house paint, and with sand to make cement. There are no wasted elements as anything left is used for chicken feed.
Oysters growing on the mangroves
Pied Crows mobbing a Harrier Hawk
Greenshank
Spur Winged Plover
Senegal Thick Knee
Common Sandpiper
Whimbrel taking off
Long Tailed Cormorant drying his wings out
And so the morning's boat trip is over, and we are back at the lodge in time for lunch.
I am absolutely fascinated by the bats in the ceiling of the restaurant.
Isn't he cute?
Look at him yawn! ♥
Today there is also a Speckled Pigeon in the rafters.
Mr Heron is back in position in amongst the mangroves as usual.
He is after the crabs, of course.
I am not sure what is happening here – it looks like the big crab is stalking the little one.
We return to the room for a little siesta, but find we are not alone.
This girl is looking down on us from the rafters.
It looks like she is raising a family.
I know every mother thinks their babies are the most beautiful in the world; but, I'm sorry, there is nothing remotely attractive about these chicks.
I drift into a light snooze, knowing that I am being looked over by the pigeon family.
This featured blog entry was written by Grete Howard from the blog Grete's Travels.
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