Things that Fly in Africa

Well, okay, these weaver's nests don't fly.  But the weaver birds do.

I really hate to admit this, having just returned from my Africa trip and having had the pleasure of having a professor along who is a birder, a professional birder, who knew what was what, and who was who and he would kindly tell you---if you asked.   And I asked.  And immediately forgot!  It was, truly, like my brain was made of Swiss cheese and I just could not keep the name of any of these beautiful birds straight.

Yes.  Yes, I know.  I do know this is an ostrich.  I don't know where exactly I thought one would find an ostrich in the wild, but the fact that they have a big presence in Kenya and Tanzania never crossed my mind.  (The one made of Swiss cheese.)

I do remember these, above, are some sort of Egyptian geese.

This little plump cutie?  Nary a clue.  I'd rather you just thought me dull and stupid rather than a faker who just threw out likely sounding names when I truly wasn't sure.  And, who knows, I have probably identified some of these incorrectly.  For which, if I have, I am really sorry.  I am just not a bird name rememberer.

This big one was a hawk.  I think.  A Harrier hawk?

This is a superb starling.  That is one I remember.  I mean, honestly, who could forget the  name of such a glorious bird?

 This magnificent hunter, a ????, was so lovely in flight.

Don't know.  Don't remember, but they were iridescent and beautiful!

Remember this one?  Splendid starling....

This is a yellow bird and...

....these are storks!  Flew all the way from Europe to winter in the warmth of Africa.

Hmmmm....we saw quite a few of these guys.  Can't remember....mating display....remember that from the big red splotch on its breast....reminded me of a frigate bird, the ones I saw in the Galapagos...but it's not a frigate bird.  I don't know!  I don't remember.  But I do remember how impressed with his coloring and I do remember I was at Lake Manyara.

To all you birders out there, forgive me.