Birding in Kenya is filled with unforgettable stories—I’ll share more once I’m back in Malaysia. For now, every day has been full of excitement. While we’re focused on finding new birds and getting better shots, we never miss out on amazing animals or stunning scenery either.
We’ve seen lions three times already! The most recent sighting was a group of seven, though we didn’t even stop (for a funny reason I’ll share later).
This one was incredible—at first, it looked like a typical sleeping lion, but suddenly it stood up, walked to drink, and came straight toward our vehicle—just 15 meters away!
Four more days to go, and we’ve photographed 390 bird species so far!
One of our group members wished to see this, and what a wish—it made everyone happy!
The world’s fastest animal slowly walked toward us, getting as close as 1–2 meters from me. Before that, it looked like it was about to hunt, pausing about 10 meters away as if ready to sprint… but then it stopped.
Still, what an incredible and beautiful sight!
It’s not a new mammal family, but definitely a new addition to our collection! Spotted this stunning-looking mammal on Waigeo Island. While everyone was enjoying coffee and waiting for fruit-doves, some local kids called us into the forest. We couldn’t really understand what they were saying—but soon enough, this beautiful creature appeared, low and close. What a surprise and such a beautiful moment!
A fairly common medium-sized mammal, not too difficult to encounter in the forest, but usually too shy for a photo. However, this time, an adult and a young one gave us a nice view before continuing on their way.
The bird station was full of life, but suddenly all the birds and squirrels disappeared. Then, out of nowhere, this adorable little creature walked right into our frame! It came so close that I only managed a few quick shots, including this walking moment.
I’ve seen this cute animal many times, but this is the first time it came so close — lucky to finally get a few good pictures!
Simplified Chinese Translation:
鸟站原本很热闹，突然间所有的鸟和松鼠都不见了。没过多久，这只可爱的小动物就走进了我们的镜头！它靠得非常近，我只来得及拍下几张照片，包括它走路的一刻。
The plains zebra occurs in six regional races, each with its own stripe pattern. All are distinct from the two other zebra species: the larger Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) of northern Kenya, and smaller mountain zebra (Equus equus) of southwest Africa.
Plains zebras are highly sociable: dominant stallions preside over harems of females and young, which may coalesce into much larger herds. especially during migration, and often associate with wildebeest and other grazers. Zebra crop grass using flexible lips and powerful incisors, and open up grassland habitat for other species.
Their pattern has long puzzled scientists: it may function as camouflage, as an insect deterrent or to dazzle pursuing predators such as lions; perhaps all three. [https://www.expertafrica.com/wildlife/zebra/africa]
update 202501
It’s common, but such an adorable creature—I never get tired of seeing it over and over again.
Giraffes are divided into numerous subspecies, although the most well-known are the Maasai, reticulated and Rothschild’s giraffes. In Southern Africa, however, all giraffe are “southern giraffe.” Subspecies differ only in their blotch pattern, color and distribution; all other characteristics are the same.
1. South African giraffe, 南非长颈鹿, 南非長頸鹿, Giraffa camelopardalis
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1. South African giraffe, 南非长颈鹿, 南非長頸鹿, Giraffa camelopardalis
update 202501
It’s such an adorable creature! Seeing it in the wild made us pause for a while to capture some photos of this charming animal—even though we were here primarily for the birds. Absolutely delightful!
The dugong ( Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees. It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.
– lucky night, ours activities start with this weird creature with baby
– 幸运的晚上，好是带小孩。
update 202403
– it is another lucky night, managed to see this cute animal feeding on leaf .. and next night with young .few months ago actually managed to see or record how it drink water on tree.
This is the world’s smallest squirrel—a must-see when exploring the lowland forests of Borneo! It’s not too rare and not too hard to find if you’re lucky. Almost the size of a small lizard:
Head-body length: up to 7.5 cm
Tail length: up to 5 cm
Weight: around 20 grams
Such a cute and tiny creature waiting to surprise you in the forest!
– a medium-sized tree squirrel, overall olive-brown and underpart red. Slight different form the Plantain squirrel which is lowland species and with an extra Black buff stripe on the flank
– Fraser Hill, Cameron Highland, Genting Highland Pahang, Malaysia
9. Red giant flying squirrel, 棕鼯鼠, 大鼯鼠, Petaurista petaurista
– common at lowland forest (RDC, DANUM etc)
– 在低海拔森林，蛮普通。
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update 202409
– a wonderful special extension for some mammals, we sight Thomas’s Flying Squirrel flying in day time at Danum Valley, follow by Black flying squirrel flying close toward us (yes just ~10m from us like hitting us … plus this common Red giant flying squirrel flying in close distance while ours dusk drive .. wow wow wow
Thomas’s Flying Squirrel is endemic to Borneo where it inhabits tall forest, both primary and secondary, in the lowlands and in mid-montane areas at elevations of up to 1600 metres.
Its fur is reddish-brown to dark brown, with no markings to speak of : it is this plain appearance which distinguishes it from other large flying squirrels, such as the Red Giant Flying Squirrel and Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel, both of which typically have black fur on some part of the body (e.g. face, feet, tip of the tail etc.).
In common with most other flying squirrels it is exclusively nocturnal. Its diet includes forest fruits, but little else is known of its ecology.
Within Borneo, this species has been documented in parts of Sabah (including Mount Kinabalu), Sarawak, Brunei and west and east Kalimantan. It appears to be absent in the southeast of the island. [https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/thomas%27s-flying-squirrel.htm]
After witnessing the spectacular gliding display of the Red Giant Flying Squirrel, we encountered this Thomas’s Flying Squirrel up close—just about 10 feet away. It was calmly feeding on a small tree, completely unbothered by our presence.
– another Slow Loris found at Borneo, pretty common at lowland forest
– 婆罗洲蛮普通的蜂猴
update 202510
It was a great night walk! Although called “Slow” Loris, this one moved surprisingly fast—until it finally paused and gave us a perfect opportunity for a nice photo session.
