2024-11-16

This is Mabamba swamp in Uganda, home of the shoebill stork.

After watching the motionless shoebill for some time we were wondering if they had just put up a stuffed version for tourists. But apparently the ability to stand still for hours on end is one of the key behaviors of this species. And then, out of nothing it can strike prey passing in front of it. In the end we saw him do just that, before flying away.

Even without seeing this huge crazy bird, the swamps would have been quite nice to visit for the boat trip alone and all the other bird sightings.