Flying Around Kruger Part 1 of 3 – May & June 2019
On previous visits to Kruger National Park we photographed many animals and just a few birds. Our visit to the park this time was longer, so we decided to focus on both categories. Besides, how many pictures of impala or giraffes does one need to take? We found, photographed, and identified many, many beautiful birds in Kruger! And we ended up with such a large number of “keeper” pictures that we divided them up into three KNP bird posts. This one features raptors and water birds plus waders.
Raptors
Bateleur 
Spotted eagle owl 
Black-winged kite 
Magpie shrike 
Tawny eagle 
White-backed vulture 
Long-crested eagle 
Pearl-spotted owlet 
Brown snake eagle 
African fish eagle 
Lappet-faced vulture 
White-crowned shrike
Water Birds & Waders
Pied kingfisher 
Pied kingfisher just before diving for a fish 
Brown-hooded kingfisher 
Giant kingfisher 
Spur-winged geese 
Egyptian goose 
Goliath heron 
Grey heron 
Three-banded plover 
Black-winged stilt 
African jacana 
African spoonbill 
Saddle-billed stork 
Wooley-necked stork
Yellow-billed stork 
Great egret
Many of the water bird and wader photos were taken at Sunset Dam, which we visited two or three late afternoons. Hippos and crocodiles also enjoy swimming in the dam. One particular grey heron liked to stand on the backs of mostly immersed hippos, even while the mammals were moving across the dam or going deeper into the water. We were quite entertained with the sight!