Why does the Stork Lack a Feathered Face?

Close-up of a Yellow-billed stork in Tanzania showing its red facial skin and specialized yellow bill.

Designed for the Wild: The Secrets of the Yellow-Billed Stork

Have you ever wondered why some birds have featherless skin around their faces? This striking feature in the Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis) is a masterclass in functional design, serving three critical purposes:

1. Hygiene: Bare skin is far easier to keep clean for wader-hunters and carrion-eaters. For a bird frequently probing muddy wetlands, avoiding matted feathers is a vital health advantage.

2. Communication: During the breeding season, the stork undergoes a dramatic transformation. Its facial skin deepens to a rich red, the yellow bill intensifies in color, the legs turn bright pink, and even the feathers take on a subtle rosy tinge.

3. Thermoregulation: Featherless skin helps dissipate heat. While perhaps less significant on a small face, this heat-dumping strategy is a well-documented factor in the bare skin of their long legs.

All in all, it is a brilliant design that allows this bird to thrive in the heat of the East African savannah.

Spot the Yellow-Billed Stork in Tanzania

I photographed this vibrant specimen in Tanzania, where they are a staple of the local wetlands. If you want to witness the "pinkish tinge" and brilliant red faces of these birds for yourself, we invite you to join us on the trail.

• 2026 Safari: Our current schedule is fully booked, but we are maintaining a waitlist.

• 2027 Expeditions: We are officially accepting reservations for a 2027 Tanzania Safari. Email us here.

And of course, if you want to read more about the Yellow-billed stork, check out our posts here and here.

Monsoon Winds: The Engine of Indian Ocean Trade and Travel

Seasonal winds on the Indian Ocean provided opportunity for ancient sailors to move from port to port.

Indian Ocean Trade Networks in the New Testament World

A network of tradings zones in the Indian Ocean developed between 300 BC and AD 300. This network not only generated awareness of the larger world in the NT period, but introduced luxury goods to those who could afford them. Check out the video below!

The Indian Ocean: Position and Place

I'm thinking BIG PICTURE here about a great sea south of the Biblical Heartland. Its contours are less familiar to many, but its influence is significant. Watch the short video below.

The Unstriped Ground Squirrel: A Savannah Hermit

Close-up of an unstriped ground squirrel (Xerus rutilus) near a termite mound in East Africa.

Look, a squirrel!

More specifically, an unstriped ground squirrel (Xerus rutilus). This little fella is a small but mighty resident of the East African grasslands. Unlike its more social cousins, this species is a master of the "solitary life," a trait reflected in its genus name, Xerus, which stems from the Greek word for “dry.”

A Life Adapted to the Arid Wild:

• Diet of the Drylands: To survive in parched environments, these squirrels are efficient foragers, dining on a mix of seeds, pods, and leaves found across the savanna.

• Clever Habitation: While they are expert burrowers, they are also opportunists. You’ll often find them taking up residence in abandoned termite mounds, using these sturdy structures as ready-made fortresses.

• Safety in the Deep: Going underground isn't just about shade; it's a critical defense. Their deep burrows keep them safe from high-altitude raptors and stealthy predators like leopards and jackals.

• A Unique Look: True to its name, Xerus rutilus is the only member of its genus that lacks the distinctive side stripes seen on other African ground squirrels, sporting a solid, tawny coat instead.

Spot Them on Safari

These "savannah hermits" are a delight to watch as they dash between shrubs or stand tall on their hind legs to scan the horizon. Join us for for a look yourself.

2026 Update: Our February expedition is officially SOLD OUT. All seats are taken!

Planning for 2027? Don't miss out on the next adventure. Email us here to get exclusive updates and be the first to know when 2027 reservations open.

Mtori: The Savory Tanzanian Banana Soup You Need to Try

A bowl of creamy Tanzanian Mtori soup made with mashed green bananas and beef

In Tanzania, banana soup—traditionally known as Mtori—is a savory, creamy staple that often surprises travelers expecting a sweet dessert. Originating from the Chagga people in the Kilimanjaro region, this hearty dish is made with starchy green bananas (matoke) rather than the sweet yellow variety.

It's a shame that you have to go all the way to East Africa to find a bowl. Anybody know a more local place? Anybody have a good recepe?

Maasai Shuka: The African Blanket and Cultural Identity

Maasai herder near Arusha wearing a traditional red and blue plaid Shuka cloth.

The vibrant plaid you see on the herder's shoulders isn't just a wrap—it’s the Maasai Shuka. Known as the “African blanket,” this durable cloth is a powerful symbol of identity for the Maasai people. Usually found in bold reds to symbolize power or blues to represent the sky, it is as functional for warmth on the plains as it is striking to the eye.

Fun Fact: While the Shuka is globally recognized as Maasai, it is widely believed that the plaid patterns were originally influenced by Scottish missionaries during the colonial era, which the Maasai then adopted and made uniquely their own!

I captured this image on our way to our first Kilimanjaro climb. Now, as we prepare for Zanzibar, I’m reminded of how every corner of this country tells a different story.

Kirk's dik-dik

A Kirk’s dik-dik standing in the grass of the Tanzanian Serengeti showcases its unique snout.

Would you believe this little guy is only 12 inches tall?

Meet the Kirk’s dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii), one of the smallest antelopes in the Serengeti. Don’t let their size fool you; they are perfectly engineered for the heat. They use a long, tubular snout to pump blood and cool their bodies through “nasal panting.”

Fun Fact: That same snout acts as a built-in whistle! When they’re startled, they make a shrill "dik-dik" sound to warn others, which is exactly how they got their name.

I captured the image of this tiny marvel in the Serengeti. It’s a beautiful reminder of the incredible detail found in Creation.

The Landing Gear is Suspect

“Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing,” the pilot chuckled.

I hope this one ends well for this Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis). Those spindly legs make for good waders but seem a little suspect as landing gear.

I photographed these birds feeding in the wetlands of Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania.

Bible Land Explorer has several safari excursions (public and private) to East Africa slated for the coming year. PM me if you are interested in scouting for cheetahs, "glamping" in the Serengeti, chatting about the wonders of creation, you know, that sort of stuff.

Sparring Partners

A herd of Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) is a common sight on the Serengeti. The gazelle's lyre-shaped horns not only bequeath a graceful appearance, but give it formidable tools for defense. Unlike antlers (that are shed annually), gazelle horns are permanently affixed, corrugated, and unbranched.

This species is named after James Grant, a preacher's son who worked with John Speke in the quest to discover the source of the Nile. I'm enjoying Tim Jeal's account of this pioneering work right now in his Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure. Its a good read for folks with a strong stomach (!) who are interested in the story of East Africa.

Von der Decken's Hornbill

Found this handsome fella. He is a native to the scrub areas of east Africa. Males of this species have a colorful red bill; females have black bills. Say hey to Von der Decken’s hornbill.

Superb Starling

I grew up thinking starlings were ugly and mean. Of course, that's the American version. Check out the "Superb Starling" of East Africa. They still fuss and bicker like their cousins, but what magnificent colors!

I'm also enamored by my new (used) Nikkor 200-500 mm zoom. I can't wait to get it out in the big Tanzanian parks!