Having led groups to Kenya before, I was excited to have the chance to return to East Africa and visit northern Tanzania, including the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park. Much to my surprise, it was Tarangire National Park that stole my heart, with its healthy elephant herds, giraffe family groups, baobab trees, and lush vegetation from the recent rains. The Acacia woodlands and roadside bushes made bird observations exceptional, with cameras taking the place of binoculars for perfect viewing. It was in such an area that this spectacular 15-inch adult Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudata) landed on the top of a shrub and stuck a brief pose. Then it characteristically moved on to another perch in its search of small lizards and insects. I had first seen this species in Tsavo West National Park in Kenya on my first trip with Holbrook in 1985, but that view was nothing compared to this!

John Ferner

Tanzania | Tanzania Natural History