An avian jewel of the Kruger National Park

Life little miracles happen when you least expect them. Probably it has happened to all of you. One has to train his eyes to see these little gifts of mother nature. In Kruger, too, there are many hidden treasures and not only the big ones worth keeping an eye out for.
In a rainy morning near the Paul Kruger Gate we stopped by a resting place and just enjoyed the time soon after dusk as the wildlife was coming alive after a short evening rest. Nothing happened for a while and then all of a sudden a tiny little kingfisher landed on a tree next to Tarryn who was the driver. I took this shot with a 400mm lens leaning over her paying attention not to make any sudden movements. We both wondered for a minute at this little kingfisher.
As soon as it arrived it flew away giving a high-pitched insect-like "tsip-tsip" sound.

This little bird is a migrant to Southern Africa from the tropics, undertaking its long journeys after dark. We were so glad it arrived here.


Out of the 87 kingfisher species in the world 16 occur in Africa. One of the 2 smallest ones my personal favorite is the minuscule African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ceyx pictus). It is a glorious sight with its fragile little body and dazzling ochre and aquamarine plumage landing next to you.