Show us your bee-eaters...

[Tom Kellie]

Merops superciliosus Quintet

Photographed at 5:06 pm on 9 February, 2014 at Lake Baringo, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.

ISO 800, 1/8000 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.

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A highlight of safaris is the presence of bee-eaters of various species. Active birds, they entertain with their arcing flights to and from a preferred perch, usually with insect prey in beak.

While drifting on Lake Baringo this Merops superciliosus, Madagascar Bee-eater, quintet was observed perched together. Their cheerful chirps enlivened the early evening silence.

 

[Treepol]

@@Tom Kellie good idea to showcase these jewel like birds. I saw these Carmine Bee-eaters at Mazambala Lodge in the Caprivi in September 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Bee-eaters, Mazambala Lodge

 

 

Swallow-tailed bee-eaters, Kgalagadi, August 2014

 

 

 

This photo of a White-fronted bee-eater was taken at Mashatu in July 2008

 

 

and these at Selous in July 2008

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie good idea to showcase these jewel like birds. I saw these Carmine Bee-eaters at Mazambala Lodge in the Caprivi in September 2014.

 

~ @@Treepol

 

How many ‘WOW’s am I allowed?

These images are far beyond FANTASTIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The colors you captured are SENSATIONAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who doesn't love bee-eaters?

Their activity and vibrant plumage enliven any safari.

You deserve considerable appreciation for uploading such a variety of top-quality bee-eater images.

Many thanks. I'll look for more to add, as other members will surely do.

You've set a high bar of quality for us to aspire towards!

Tom K.

[Treepol]

@@Tom Kellie thank you for your kind comments.

 

I must admit that bee-eaters are some of my favourite birds and I'm looking forward to adding some Indian species next year and of course, our own Rainbow bee-eater would also be nice. I'll have to work on that one.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie thank you for your kind comments.

 

I must admit that bee-eaters are some of my favourite birds and I'm looking forward to adding some Indian species next year and of course, our own Rainbow bee-eater would also be nice. I'll have to work on that one.

 

~ @@Treepol

 

What ?!?!?!

Australia has a bee-eater, i.e. a Merops species of its own?

Having never yet visited Australia, I didn't know that.

That's exciting, as it means Australian kids grow up with an awareness of bee-eaters.

If you or other Safaritalk members who either live in or have visited Australia might post a ‘Rainbow bee-eater’, it would be a welcome addition to this forum.

This comes as quite a surprise to me!

Thank you for mentioning it.

Tom K.

[Geoff]

@@Tom Kellie Here ya go Tom, Two record shots of Rainbow Bee-eaters (Merops ornatus). A common bird in northern Australia but I rarely see them as very few migrate as far south as where I live.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie Here ya go Tom, Two record shots of Rainbow Bee-eaters (Merops ornatus). A common bird in northern Australia but I rarely see them as very few migrate as far south as where I live.

 

~ @@Geoff

 

What beauties!

Now I have one more reason to someday take a camera to Australia.

They migrate?

Very clear images. They definitely share characteristics with their East African cousins.

This effectively internationalizes the bee-eaters forum.

Next an Indian bee-eater is needed.

Thank you very much!

Tom K.

[Treepol]

@@Geoff thanks for posting your excellent photos.

 

@@Tom Kellie I will be chasing these beautiful bee-eaters in northern Queensland in July and hopefully will return with some good photos.

[Tom Kellie]

@@Geoff thanks for posting your excellent photos.

 

@@Tom Kellie I will be chasing these beautiful bee-eaters in northern Queensland in July and hopefully will return with some good photos.

 

~ @@Treepol

 

That's great news!

Thank you for letting us know.

I hope that your northern Queensland visit will exceed all expectations!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Perched at Lake Baringo

Photographed at 4:17 pm on 9 February, 2014 on Lake Baringo, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.

ISO 800, 1/8000 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.

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Safari guides are a fairly unflappable lot, having seen quite a variety of species and interactions during their years of guiding clients in wilderness areas, week in and week out.

Therefore I was surprised when the boat guide on Lake Baringo was visibly startled when this bird was spotted. He emphasized that it was the only carmine bee-eater he'd seen there for many months.

[elefromoz]

Palm Cove, Queensland, September 2013, fairly common in the area

 

[Treepol]

Port Douglas, August 2015

 

Finally, some good views of the Rainbow bee-eater!

 

 

 

Mossman River, August 2015

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@Treepol

 

I've rarely seen a clear bee-eater bill-cleaning photo.

Thanks a lot for including one in this very nice batch of rainbow bee-eater images.

Tom K.

[Peter Connan]

Some fantastic photos here!

 

Thank you @@Tom Kellie, @@Treepol, @@Geoff and @@elefromoz

[michael-ibk]

Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater, Okavango Delta, 03/2014

 

 

European Bee-Eater, Nxai Pan, 03/2014

 

 

Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eater, Okavango Delta, 03/2014

 

 

Southern Carmine Bee-Eater, Linyanti, 03/2014

 

 

Chestnut-Headed Bee-Eater, Kaziranga, 03/2015

 

 

Blue-Bearded Bee-Eater, Kaziranga, 03/2015

 

 

Little Bee-Eater, Meru, 09/2014

 

 

Green Bee-Eater, Tadoba, 03/2015

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @@michael-ibk

 

You've spoiled us with such a lavish selection of GORGEOUS bee-eaters.

In all of my safaris, I've not seen even half the species you've shared here.

No one species stands out, as they're all really lovely.

From your images it's clear that you're ‘bee-eater conscious’ while on safari.

Many, many THANKS for these!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Meru Little Bee-eater Pair

Photographed at 9:31 am on 20 July, 2015 in Meru National Park, Kenya, using an EOS 1D X camera and an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens.

ISO 200, 1/500 sec., f/5.6, 400mm focal length, handheld Manual exposure.

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Much of the territory we explored in Meru National Park was self-evidently ‘off the beaten path’. Anthony and I enjoy following the most overgrown tracks to see what might be living in remote areas.

In one large stretch, there were few plants with green foliage. Therefore these two Little Bee-eaters stood out when we approached them. Such vibrant plumage in an otherwise drab setting!

[monalisa]

White fronted bee eaters - Selous NP, Tanzania

These guys were nesting along the Rufiji River bank

 

 

[mvecht]

European Beeeater, Hungary May 2017

[Atdahl]

Same location (Deramakot, Borneo), same species (Red-bearded Bee-eater)...

 

[Atdahl]

Blue-Throated Bee-eater - Borneo Rainforest Lodge

 

 

Alan

[Galana]

Another link followed up.

I will try to avoid species already portrayed. 

First to India for @Tom Kellie..

 

Green BeeEater. Tamil Nadhu.

 

Blue-tailed BeeEater.  Mysore.

 

Blue-cheeked BeeEater. Leh, Ladakh..

 

Quick change of continents...

Bohm's BeeEater. Katavi, Tanzania.

 

Blue-headed BeeEater. Kakamega Kenya.

 

White-throated BeeEater. Two locations. Uganda.

 

Black BeeEater. Bwindi Impenetrable. Ugnada.

 

Red-throated Bee Eater. Paraa, Murchison Falls,Uganda.

 

Cinnamon-chested BeeEater.  Bwindi Impenetrable, Uganda.

 

 

 

[Peter Connan]

What a haul @Galana!

[kittykat23uk]

@Galana, you are a big tease with all these beauties! 

[TonyQ]

@Galana a wonderful collection