Lilac-breasted Roller

It is very early morning, a day after my return from an absolutely phenomenal photography trip to Zimanga Game Reserve in South Africa. Jet lag has one benefit - quiet time to catch up on reviewing and processing photos.  The job seems a bit overwhelming right now, but reliving the experience brings back the joy and excitement, as well as the laughs and comraderie of traveling with three fellow blippers - osuzanna, dbifulco and Hillyblips.

Our extremely knowledgeable safari leader, Calvin, asked what we wanted to see as we headed out in the jeep in the pre-dawn hour on our first morning.  I said a Lilac-breasted Roller, for they were a highlight on a safari trip I took five years ago.  We hardly got beyond the lodge gate when we spotted one. It was the first of many thrills to come.

(back-blipped April 9)