Africa gives us big drama with lions and elephants… and then slips in gems like this to remind us to look at the smaller stars too.
The Flying Rainbow: A Tanzanian Icon
The wonder of a lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) never grows old. No matter how many times you see one perched on an acacia branch, that vibrant plumage feels like a fresh discovery every single time.
We spotted this particular individual during our very first game drive of the season in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. It was a perfect welcome back to the bush, standing out against the dusty greens and golds of the landscape.
Now, I’ve set a new challenge for myself: capturing one of these eight-colored birds in flight. There is a reason this roller is famously known as “the flying rainbow,” and I can’t wait to show you why.