4 The Love Of Animals

JULY 11, 2011

Steve dons a camouflage suit for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gets him closer to a wild leopard than he ever hoped. Then we’ll meet two of Thailand’s killer cats: the rare clouded leopard, a flamboyant feline with a taste for treetops and hunting in little or no light; and the fishing cat, known for hunting in the water.

Cats 100

Cats Leopards Namibia Lions 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 13, 2015

Its great diversity of habitats hosts an incredible bird count of over 900 species, including Africa’s 2nd highest list of endemics and near-endemics (after South Africa). Recent publicity about these remarkable tribes has resulted in tourists wanting to experience this wild land and its attractions for themselves. Yellow-billed Stork.

Ethiopia 242

Ethiopia Sudan Leopards Game 242

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 1, 2011

So much so that the two species are placed within their own family, Chaetopidae. The species is insectivorous and nests amongst the scree and boulders on the steep mountain slopes. Even leopards still live here and occasionally terrorize the African Penguin colony at nearby Betty’s Bay.

South Africa 243

South Africa Penguins Birds Africa 243

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

Kooyman (co-author with Jim Mastro) spent decades studying Emperor Penguins and can be considered the world’s foremost expert on the species. Empire Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) are the largest living penguin species, almost four feet tall (taller when they stretch), and the least likely to be seen on birding or nature trips.

Penguins 156

Penguins Seals Leopards Research 156

10,000 Birds

JUNE 17, 2015

There wasn’t much around, and aside from a lifer Yellow-bellied Bulbul the two most impressive species were heard not seen – a Blue-headed Pitta an a Banded Kingfisher. This is the place, after all, that people see Sunda Clouded Leopards! I’ll admit that, on the first day, the birds didn’t impress. And wine.

Lemurs 158

Lemurs Family Rhinoceros Fish 158

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2011

This country boasts over 1,000 bird species, vast wildernesses, a superb network of protected areas, the greatest concentration of large game and predators on the planet, excellent lodges and friendly people. The Baobab-studded woodlands and wetlands of the park harbor over 550 bird species and they sure come thick and fast!

Tanzania 217

Tanzania Africa Stud Leopards 217

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2016

I was planning a trip to South Africa, I had about five days to fill, I wanted to get a bunch of desert species (particularly the Springbok – not a bird) in a way that wasn’t too hard to reach from Johannesburg. Leopards are also awesome and I saw two at Madikwe. And lo, it was good. Madikwe has perhaps too many elephants.

South Africa 148

South Africa Leopards Giraffes Africa 148

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 27, 2013

My best bird of the year is based on the sighting rather than the species. Hornbills are spectacular under any circumstances, but when a pair lands in a bush beside you at eye-level and begin mutual preening , it makes for a spectacular experience. Only trouble is, which of the seven species I saw this year do I pick?

2013 167

2013 Birds Costa Rica India 167

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

And, to give his dream year a little more oomph, he created a grand once-in-a-lifetime goal: to track down and see every pitta species in the world in one year. Some of his finds are the first documented records of the bird in that area or the first decent photograph of a little-known species. And mosquitos.

Hunters 193

Hunters Sri Lanka Asia Solomon Islands 193

10,000 Birds

JUNE 30, 2022

In addition, it has over 450 bird species and more than 30 in-country endemics, of which it is possible to see every single species! Those large international agencies use reputable local ground agents, and in my experience this creates a safety cocoon around the travellers. Where to look for the birds?

Sri Lanka 147

Sri Lanka Ghana Uganda Eagles 147