Gallery of Birds

There are over 11,000 species of birds in the world, almost twice as many as mammals. Most scientists now believe that, based on fossil and biological evidence, birds are a specialized subgroup of theropod dinosaurs. So yes…birds are living dinosaurs. And with that bit of information, I feel strange even sharing this small example of birds that I have photographed. I have never really been a bird photographer; it’s been more about capturing them when the opportunity arose. So much so, that most of the American species of songbirds and the images of the Red-tailed Hawk within this gallery are captured in my backyard, many while hanging out on my patio with a camera and tripod. So, we do not always need to travel to distant lands to capture these diverse and beautiful creatures. Which leads me to a pleasant surprise awaiting me in Kenya.  Something that I had not considered the first time I visited Kenya was the abundant and diverse bird population it would have to offer. Of course, I knew there would be some interesting birds to photograph, but when preparing to visit there my thoughts were so much on capturing the big mammals like elephants, leopards and lions, that I did not realize just how many unique and colorful birds were there until I started seeing them everywhere. Of course, it also helped that one of my first Maasai guides was a bird specialist and enthusiast. He really opened my eyes, literally and figuratively helping me to see the many moments of birdlife to be captured.

  • A bird with vibrant blue, purple, and brown plumage is captured in mid-flight, wings spread wide and angled gracefully. Perched on a blurred natural background, the detailed feathers and dynamic motion are beautifully highlighted. Kenya
  • A Gray Crowned Crane stands gracefully in tall grass, its elegant plumage and distinctive crest captured in black and white. The bird's pose and the surrounding vegetation create a serene and natural scene. Kenya
  • A Red-tailed Hawk perches on a tree branch, surrounded by a blurred background of leaves and sunlight. The bird's sharp gaze and detailed plumage are prominently displayed.
  • A close-up view shows the intricate details of a turkey's face and colorful feathers. The bird's beak, wattle, and iridescent plumage are clearly visible.
  • A Lilac-breasted Roller with vibrant plumage perches on a tree branch, surrounded by a lush, blurred green background. The bird's feathers display a striking combination of turquoise, pink, and violet hues.
  • Two Saddle-billed Stork with striking black and white plumage and vivid red beaks are wading in a shallow water body, creating a mirrored reflection on the calm surface. The surrounding area is a mix of green vegetation and bare soil.
  • A Blue Heron stands gracefully by the water's edge, surrounded by lush branches and vibrant autumn foliage. The reflection in the still water mirrors the scenic beauty of the tranquil environment.
  • A blue jay is perched on a branch surrounded by blooming white and pink flowers. The background features soft green hues, enhancing the vibrant blue feathers of the bird.
  • A Female Northern Cardinal with reddish-brown plumage and an orange beak perches on a branch with vibrant green leaves. The background is a mix of blurred greens and browns, creating a natural setting.
  • A bluebird perches on top of a weathered wooden birdhouse while another bluebird peers out from a hole in the birdhouse. The background is a blurred lush green, highlighting the vibrant colors of the birds.
  • A Brown Thrasher with brown and white speckled plumage stands on a bed of dried pine needles. It has a sharp beak and prominent yellow eyes that stand out against its muted feathers.
  • A Carolina Wren is perched on a tree stump in the foreground, with a curious squirrel observing in the blurry background. The natural setting features a warm brown color scheme and textured tree bark.
  • A Catbird stands on the forest floor surrounded by dry pine needles and colorful leaves. It appears to be attentively watching its surroundings.
  • A Cooper's Hawk with sharp eyes and a fierce beak is perched on a tree branch. Its feathers exhibit shades of brown and gray, blending well with the bark of the tree.
  • A Crowned Lapwing with a distinctive black and white head and long red legs stands amidst lush green vegetation. The bird's body is predominantly brown with a white underbelly. Kenya
  • A Superb Starling with a blue head and orange chest stands on a weathered skull while holding a white feather in its beak. The background is a blurred mix of green foliage and brown earth tones.
  • A Red-Tailed Hawk with striking, patterned plumage perches on a tree branch, gazing intently ahead. The background features a soft-focus bokeh effect, highlighting the detailed foreground subject.
  • A Bluebird with its blue and orange plumage perches on a branch surrounded by long green pine needles. The background features a soft-focus view of the tree's foliage.
  • A female Eastern Towhee with a brown body, black head, and white chest stands on a forest floor covered in pine needles and twigs. The bird's red eyes and long tail are prominent as it looks to the left.
  • A male Eastern Towhee with vibrant black, white, and reddish-brown plumage perches on a branch surrounded by green foliage. The background is a mix of green grass, leaves, and some blurred elements that enhance the focus on the bird.
  • A European Bee-eater with vibrant feathers perches on a bare branch against a muted background. The bird's vivid plumage contrasts with the simplicity of the surrounding environment.
  • A Gray Crowned Crane with a striking crown of golden feathers stands in a vibrant green field. Its sleek gray body and contrasting black and red facial markings make for a visually striking appearance.
  • A Green Heron with iridescent blue and green feathers is perched on a branch in a forest setting. Its long, thin beak points forward as it looks attentively into the distance.
  • A wild turkey stands proudly in a grassy field with its feathers fully fanned out. The vibrant and detailed plumage showcases a mix of browns, black, and iridescent colors.
  • A Hammerkop with a prominent crest and a long, sharply pointed beak stands on a patch of dirt and sparse grass. The bird appears to be searching for food or inspecting its surroundings.
  • A Lappet-faced Vulture is captured in mid-flight close to the ground within a grassy field. In the background, several antelopes are visible, slightly out of focus.
  • Two Laughing Gull are standing on the sandy beach; one appears to be calling out with its beak open wide, while the other looks on. The sand is smooth with a few faint footprints in the background.;
  • A vibrantly colored Little Bee-eater with green and orange plumage is captured in mid-flight near a branch. Its wings are spread wide, showing intricate feather details against a blurred natural background.
  • A Male Cardinal with Fledgling perch on a lichen-covered branch amidst greenery. The vibrant red of one bird contrasts sharply with the subtle, earthy tones of the other.
  • A Great Egret with a long neck and yellow beak is standing in shallow water surrounded by lush greenery. The bird's reflection is visible in the calm water as it stands gracefully.
  • A vibrant Masked Weaver Bird is seen hanging upside down from a nest made of green grass and leaves, intricately woven among branches. The background is a blur of natural green hues, highlighting the bird and its impressive home.
  • A Masked Weaver Bird tightly grips onto a vibrant green nest woven intricately from leaves, set against a backdrop of blurred natural foliage. The bird appears to be applying finishing touches to its home, showcasing an impressive display of avian architecture.
  • A Masked Weaver Bird with bright yellow and black plumage works on its intricately woven nest among green foliage. The background is slightly blurred, highlighting the nesting activity.
  • Two grey crowned cranes are gracefully walking through a lush green field. Their distinctive yellow crowns and elegant plumage stand out vividly against the verdant grass.
  • A black and white close-up captures the intense gaze of a Muscovy Duck with a distinctive and intricate head texture. The feathers and patterns on the bird's head are detailed and prominent, creating a striking visual effect.
  • A Osprey with wings spread wide lands on the edge of a nest made of twigs against a bright blue sky.;
  • A stunning peacock displays its vibrant feathers, creating a mesmerizing pattern of iridescent blue and green eyespots. The central focus is the peacock’s elegant body with hues of deep blue, contrasting beautifully with the detailed feathers.
  • A Pearl-spotted Owl perches on a thick tree branch, surveying its surroundings with wide, bright eyes. The background shows an out-of-focus sky and foliage, providing a serene natural habitat.
  • A Pine Warbler is perched on a branch amidst a blurred, natural background, creating a peaceful, close-up scene. The bird appears alert, gazing into the distance with its slender beak and lightweight frame.
  • A Purple Roller with reddish-brown feathers and a long tail perches on the top of a bare tree branch against a clear blue sky. The bird's distinctive markings and posture give it a regal appearance.
  • A Pygmy Falcon with a striking black and white pattern perches delicately on a thin, bare branch. The background is a blur of green hues, providing a serene natural backdrop.
  • A Red-bellied Woodpecker with a red head and black-and-white patterned wings clings to the bark of a tree. The background reveals blurred green foliage.
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker with Fledgling on a tree trunk amidst a green, blurred forest background. One bird has a distinctive red head and the other has a lighter plumage.
  • A Red-collared Widowbird with striking black and orange plumage perches atop a tree branch, standing out against a minimalistic background. The bird's delicate feathers and graceful posture create a sense of elegance and beauty in nature.
  • A Red-tailed Hawk stands on the ground with its wings slightly spread, holding a feather in its beak. Surrounding it are the remains of its prey, scattered with feathers and other remnants.
  • A African Magpie Shrike with black and white plumage perches on a thorny branch under a clear blue sky. The bird's elongated black tail stands out against the sparse greenery in the background. Kenya
  • A Red-winged Blackbird with bright red and yellow wing markings is perched on a curved metal rod with a lush green background. The bird appears alert, with its beak slightly open, possibly in mid-song.
  • Two Bataleur Eagles with red faces and dark feathers perch on a bare tree branch. The birds, likely eagles, are positioned one above the other, gazing in different directions.
  • A small Screech Owl with reddish-brown and white feathers is perched on a branch, staring attentively with large, round eyes. The background consists of lush green foliage, giving the setting a serene, natural feel.
  • A Secretary Bird with striking plumage and long legs stands in a grassy field, looking directly at the camera. The head feathers are arranged in a unique pattern, giving it a distinctive appearance.
  • A Secretary Bird with striking eyes and head feathers is prominently captured against a blurred green background. Its long feathers and intense gaze create a powerful and majestic appearance.
  • Two Shelley's Francolins with intricate feather patterns are walking on a dirt path surrounded by sparse grass. They appear alert and are likely foraging for food in a natural, open habitat.
  • A vibrant Superb Starling with a blue and black head, turquoise wings, and an orange belly stands on a rough surface with a blurred green background. The bird's striking colors contrast vividly against the natural setting.
  • A Tawny Eagle with Fledgling is perched atop a leafy tree, staring out against a clear blue sky. The birds' detailed feathers and vigilant postures appear sharp and majestic.
  • A Verreaux's eagle-owl Fledgling with striking facial features is perched on a tree branch surrounded by lush green foliage. The light and shadows interplay beautifully, highlighting the detailed feathers and the bark of the tree.
  • A Verreaux's eagle-owl perches on a branch amid a network of tree limbs. With alert eyes and intricate feather patterns, the owl blends seamlessly into its natural environment.
  • A Von der Decken's Hornbill with a distinctive large beak and black-and-white plumage perches on a bare branch against a backdrop of a clear blue sky. The stark contrast between the bird and the sky makes for a captivating composition.
  • A White-browed Coucal or Cuckoo bird with a striking mix of brown, white, and black feathers perches on a branch, surrounded by a blurred green background. The bird's distinctive red eye stands out against its plumage as it surveys its surroundings.
  • A White-browed Coucal or Cuckoo bird with a striking mix of brown, white, and black feathers perches on a branch, surrounded by a blurred green background. The bird's distinctive red eye stands out against its plumage as it surveys its surroundings.
  • A Yellow-necked Francolin with striking red and yellow markings around its head stands on a nest of twigs against a backdrop of blue sky. It displays an intricate pattern on its feathers, creating a visually captivating scene.