Michael Lund Markussen's Avatar

Michael Lund Markussen

@mlmarkussen.bsky.social

Traveller of East Africa, birder, amateur photographer, conservationist, coin collector, bookwyrm, local politician. All my pictures are my own.

1,549 Followers  |  790 Following  |  982 Posts  |  Joined: 12.11.2024  |  2.1925

Latest posts by mlmarkussen.bsky.social on Bluesky

While I detest Trump, AOC is not much better.

01.02.2026 10:44 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚

Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird.

✨ Facts:

Bright green body with a yellow–orange face

Red beak and a distinctive blue rump

Highly social, active, and vocal

Live in flocks in the wild

Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care)

In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit.

Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance!

Small bird. Big personality. 💛

Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚 Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird. ✨ Facts: Bright green body with a yellow–orange face Red beak and a distinctive blue rump Highly social, active, and vocal Live in flocks in the wild Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care) In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit. Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance! Small bird. Big personality. 💛

Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚

Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird.

✨ Facts:

Bright green body with a yellow–orange face

Red beak and a distinctive blue rump

Highly social, active, and vocal

Live in flocks in the wild

Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care)

In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit.

Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance!

Small bird. Big personality. 💛

Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚 Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird. ✨ Facts: Bright green body with a yellow–orange face Red beak and a distinctive blue rump Highly social, active, and vocal Live in flocks in the wild Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care) In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit. Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance! Small bird. Big personality. 💛

Fischer's Lovebird
Rødhovedet Dværgpapegøje
Agapornis fischer

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

28.01.2026 06:05 — 👍 31    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
Green Wood Hoopoe
Purpurskovhærfugl
Phoeniculus purpureus

Green Wood Hoopoe Purpurskovhærfugl Phoeniculus purpureus

Green Wood Hoopoe
Purpurskovhærfugl
Phoeniculus purpureus

Green Wood Hoopoe Purpurskovhærfugl Phoeniculus purpureus

Green Wood Hoopoe
Purpurskovhærfugl
Phoeniculus purpureus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

23.01.2026 06:44 — 👍 25    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

But it is not. The picture was taken in Serengeti about a week ago.

22.01.2026 13:06 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Hildebrandt's Starling
Masaiglansstær
Lamprotornis hildebrandti 
One of East Africa’s most striking birds.
Its metallic blue-purple head, rich chestnut belly, and intense red eye make it truly unforgettable.

Found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania, Hildebrandt’s Starling inhabits open woodland and savanna, often seen calmly foraging on the ground or perched low in the shade.

A reminder that nature doesn’t need exaggeration — just good light and patience.

Hildebrandt's Starling Masaiglansstær Lamprotornis hildebrandti One of East Africa’s most striking birds. Its metallic blue-purple head, rich chestnut belly, and intense red eye make it truly unforgettable. Found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania, Hildebrandt’s Starling inhabits open woodland and savanna, often seen calmly foraging on the ground or perched low in the shade. A reminder that nature doesn’t need exaggeration — just good light and patience.

Hildebrandt's Starling
Masaiglansstær
Lamprotornis hildebrandti

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

22.01.2026 06:50 — 👍 47    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
Ashy Starling
Ensfarvert Glansstær
Lamprotornis unicolor

Endemic to a small corner of northern Tanzania, the Ashy Starling is one of Tarangire’s true local specialties.
Unlike most starlings, it lacks iridescent colors. Instead, it wears a subtle ash-grey plumage that blends perfectly into the acacia savanna — understated, elegant, and easy to overlook.

Often seen in lively flocks, these birds forage on the ground for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit, their bright yellow eyes standing out against the muted tones of the landscape.

A reminder that not all beauty is loud — some of it belongs only to one place, and only to those who take the time to notice.

Ashy Starling Ensfarvert Glansstær Lamprotornis unicolor Endemic to a small corner of northern Tanzania, the Ashy Starling is one of Tarangire’s true local specialties. Unlike most starlings, it lacks iridescent colors. Instead, it wears a subtle ash-grey plumage that blends perfectly into the acacia savanna — understated, elegant, and easy to overlook. Often seen in lively flocks, these birds forage on the ground for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit, their bright yellow eyes standing out against the muted tones of the landscape. A reminder that not all beauty is loud — some of it belongs only to one place, and only to those who take the time to notice.

Ashy Starling
Ensfarvert Glansstær
Lamprotornis unicolor

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

21.01.2026 06:08 — 👍 22    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Grasshopper Buzzard
Græshoppevåge
Butastur rufipennis

Ever seen a raptor with golden eyes like this? 👀🦅
Meet the African Grasshopper Buzzard — a master hunter of the savanna, standing tall and scanning the land for its next meal.
Nature never stops amazing me.

Grasshopper Buzzard Græshoppevåge Butastur rufipennis Ever seen a raptor with golden eyes like this? 👀🦅 Meet the African Grasshopper Buzzard — a master hunter of the savanna, standing tall and scanning the land for its next meal. Nature never stops amazing me.

Grasshopper Buzzard
Græshoppevåge
Butastur rufipennis

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

20.01.2026 07:58 — 👍 12    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Post image

Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

19.01.2026 06:24 — 👍 56    🔁 6    💬 0    📌 0
Black-winged Kite
Blå Glente
Elanus caeruleus

Perched calmly in Tsavo, Kenya — this small raptor may look delicate, but it’s a razor-sharp hunter, famous for its hovering flight and lightning-fast dives on rodents. Often seen at dawn and dusk, it’s one of Africa’s most graceful birds of prey.

Black-winged Kite Blå Glente Elanus caeruleus Perched calmly in Tsavo, Kenya — this small raptor may look delicate, but it’s a razor-sharp hunter, famous for its hovering flight and lightning-fast dives on rodents. Often seen at dawn and dusk, it’s one of Africa’s most graceful birds of prey.

Black-winged Kite
Blå Glente
Elanus caeruleus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

08.01.2026 06:18 — 👍 49    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Somalisanghøg
Melierax poliopterus

A sentinel of the African bush.
Perched high and fully exposed, the Eastern Chanting Goshawk surveys its territory with calm authority. Unlike many raptors that prefer cover, this species is often seen out in the open—watching, waiting, and occasionally announcing its presence with its distinctive, melodious call that gives it its name.

With its ash-grey plumage, barred underparts, and striking yellow legs and cere, it is both elegant and unmistakably predatory. From such vantage points it scans for lizards, small mammals, and birds, dropping down with sudden speed when the moment is right.

A true embodiment of patience and precision in the African landscape.

Eastern Chanting Goshawk Somalisanghøg Melierax poliopterus A sentinel of the African bush. Perched high and fully exposed, the Eastern Chanting Goshawk surveys its territory with calm authority. Unlike many raptors that prefer cover, this species is often seen out in the open—watching, waiting, and occasionally announcing its presence with its distinctive, melodious call that gives it its name. With its ash-grey plumage, barred underparts, and striking yellow legs and cere, it is both elegant and unmistakably predatory. From such vantage points it scans for lizards, small mammals, and birds, dropping down with sudden speed when the moment is right. A true embodiment of patience and precision in the African landscape.

Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Somalisanghøg
Melierax poliopterus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

07.01.2026 06:37 — 👍 23    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Wahlberg's Eagle
Savanneørn
Hieraaetus wahlbergi

A quiet sentinel of the African skies.
Wahlberg’s Eagle is one of Kenya’s elegant migrants — arriving with the rains, perching silently in woodland and savanna, often overlooked because of its calm, unobtrusive nature.

Uniform dark brown plumage, a keen eye, and a patient posture mark a hunter that relies more on precision than power. It may not shout for attention, but it commands respect — a reminder that true presence doesn’t need noise.

Wahlberg's Eagle Savanneørn Hieraaetus wahlbergi A quiet sentinel of the African skies. Wahlberg’s Eagle is one of Kenya’s elegant migrants — arriving with the rains, perching silently in woodland and savanna, often overlooked because of its calm, unobtrusive nature. Uniform dark brown plumage, a keen eye, and a patient posture mark a hunter that relies more on precision than power. It may not shout for attention, but it commands respect — a reminder that true presence doesn’t need noise.

Wahlberg's Eagle
Savanneørn
Hieraaetus wahlbergi
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

06.01.2026 19:24 — 👍 52    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
One of Africa’s most iconic birds — and for good reason.
The lilac-breasted roller is a living palette of turquoise, violet, emerald and chestnut, perfectly at home on an open perch where it scans for insects before launching into swift, acrobatic flights.

Often called the most colourful bird in Africa, it is also Kenya’s national bird — a symbol of wild beauty and freedom.

Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus One of Africa’s most iconic birds — and for good reason. The lilac-breasted roller is a living palette of turquoise, violet, emerald and chestnut, perfectly at home on an open perch where it scans for insects before launching into swift, acrobatic flights. Often called the most colourful bird in Africa, it is also Kenya’s national bird — a symbol of wild beauty and freedom.

Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

06.01.2026 06:21 — 👍 70    🔁 5    💬 2    📌 0
A blue sky with some white clouds and two ovals that have a design of clouds inside.

A blue sky with some white clouds and two ovals that have a design of clouds inside.

#SkySunday So this happened and I’ve never seen anything like this before! Those ovals have wispy clouds inside that look like feathers to me. Have you ever seen anything like this before?

04.01.2026 16:05 — 👍 299    🔁 44    💬 50    📌 6
Olive Bee-eater
Madagaskar-biæder
Merops superciliosus 
Two Olive Bee-eaters sharing a quiet perch—elegant, alert, and always ready to launch after passing insects. Their subtle green tones, sharp bills, and graceful posture make them easy to overlook, but once noticed, they’re hard to forget.

A beautiful reminder that even the understated birds add richness to Africa’s skies. 🐦✨

Olive Bee-eater Madagaskar-biæder Merops superciliosus Two Olive Bee-eaters sharing a quiet perch—elegant, alert, and always ready to launch after passing insects. Their subtle green tones, sharp bills, and graceful posture make them easy to overlook, but once noticed, they’re hard to forget. A beautiful reminder that even the understated birds add richness to Africa’s skies. 🐦✨

Olive Bee-eater
Madagaskar-biæder
Merops superciliosus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

04.01.2026 07:56 — 👍 24    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Craig died this morning. Beloved by many people but particularly by the local community with whom he shared his range, Craig was born in January 1972 to Cassandra of the CB family. We were never certain but we suspected that he had a twin sister, Cerise, who is the matriarch of the CB family today. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves. Thanks to his many protectors he died peacefully of natural causes. Craig represented all that is wondrous about the Amboseli elephants.

Craig died this morning. Beloved by many people but particularly by the local community with whom he shared his range, Craig was born in January 1972 to Cassandra of the CB family. We were never certain but we suspected that he had a twin sister, Cerise, who is the matriarch of the CB family today. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves. Thanks to his many protectors he died peacefully of natural causes. Craig represented all that is wondrous about the Amboseli elephants.

Craig died this morning. Craig was born in January 1972 to Cassandra of the CB family. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves. He died peacefully of natural causes.
www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...

03.01.2026 07:08 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

and they also eat chameleons...

02.01.2026 14:26 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
White-browed Coucal
Hvidbrynet Sporegøg
Centropus superciliosus
A striking and often overlooked bird of African scrub and woodland. Unlike most cuckoos, the White-browed Coucal prefers to move slowly through dense vegetation, hunting insects, small reptiles, and frogs. That deep chestnut wing and bold white eyebrow make it unmistakable once you spot it.

Nature rewards patience. 🪶🌿

White-browed Coucal Hvidbrynet Sporegøg Centropus superciliosus A striking and often overlooked bird of African scrub and woodland. Unlike most cuckoos, the White-browed Coucal prefers to move slowly through dense vegetation, hunting insects, small reptiles, and frogs. That deep chestnut wing and bold white eyebrow make it unmistakable once you spot it. Nature rewards patience. 🪶🌿

White-browed Coucal
Hvidbrynet Sporegøg
Centropus superciliosus

02.01.2026 13:21 — 👍 41    🔁 5    💬 2    📌 0
Peregrine Falcon
Vandrefalk
Falco peregrinus 
Spotted at Ngutuni, Voi, Kenya — perched calmly, but always ready. This legendary raptor is the fastest animal on Earth, capable of reaching over 300 km/h in a hunting dive. From city skyscrapers to African savannahs, the peregrine is a master of adaptation and aerial dominance.

A moment of stillness from a bird built for motion.

Peregrine Falcon Vandrefalk Falco peregrinus Spotted at Ngutuni, Voi, Kenya — perched calmly, but always ready. This legendary raptor is the fastest animal on Earth, capable of reaching over 300 km/h in a hunting dive. From city skyscrapers to African savannahs, the peregrine is a master of adaptation and aerial dominance. A moment of stillness from a bird built for motion.

Peregrine Falcon
Vandrefalk
Falco peregrinus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

29.12.2025 11:39 — 👍 31    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0
Spotted Thick-knee
Plettet triel
Burhinus capensis

Spotted Thick-knee Plettet triel Burhinus capensis

Spotted Thick-knee
Plettet triel
Burhinus capensis
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

28.12.2025 09:33 — 👍 39    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
Village Indigobird
Atlasfinke
Vidua chalybeata
✨ A small bird with a big story ✨
This is the Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata), photographed on the red soils of Tsavo, Kenya 🇰🇪
With its glossy, almost metallic black plumage, it may look modest at first glance—but this species is one of nature’s most clever tricksters, famous for letting other birds raise its chicks.
African birdlife never fails to surprise 🐦

📍 Tsavo, Kenya
👍 Like & share if you love discovering the hidden stories behind wildlife!

Village Indigobird Atlasfinke Vidua chalybeata ✨ A small bird with a big story ✨ This is the Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata), photographed on the red soils of Tsavo, Kenya 🇰🇪 With its glossy, almost metallic black plumage, it may look modest at first glance—but this species is one of nature’s most clever tricksters, famous for letting other birds raise its chicks. African birdlife never fails to surprise 🐦 📍 Tsavo, Kenya 👍 Like & share if you love discovering the hidden stories behind wildlife!

Village Indigobird
Atlasfinke
Vidua chalybeata
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

23.12.2025 15:18 — 👍 13    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Water Thick-knee / Vandtriel
Burhinus vermiculatus

A master of camouflage on the African riverbanks. With its huge yellow eyes and long, slender legs, the Water Thick-knee often freezes in place, trusting its mottled plumage to blend perfectly into sand and stone. Mostly active at dusk and night, it’s a bird you’re more likely to notice before you truly see it.

One of those quiet, watchful species that rewards patience—and a reminder of how subtle and beautiful wildlife can be when it chooses stillness over spectacle.

Water Thick-knee / Vandtriel Burhinus vermiculatus A master of camouflage on the African riverbanks. With its huge yellow eyes and long, slender legs, the Water Thick-knee often freezes in place, trusting its mottled plumage to blend perfectly into sand and stone. Mostly active at dusk and night, it’s a bird you’re more likely to notice before you truly see it. One of those quiet, watchful species that rewards patience—and a reminder of how subtle and beautiful wildlife can be when it chooses stillness over spectacle.

Water Thick-knee
Vandtriel
Burhinus vermiculatus

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

23.12.2025 09:15 — 👍 35    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0
Eastern Paradise-Whydah
Paradisenke
Vidua paradisaea

Eastern Paradise-Whydah Paradisenke Vidua paradisaea

Eastern Paradise-Whydah
Paradisenke
Vidua paradisaea
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

21.12.2025 18:49 — 👍 19    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Black-headed Weaver
Sorthovedet Væver
Ploceus melanocephalus

Black-headed Weaver Sorthovedet Væver Ploceus melanocephalus

Black-headed Weaver
Sorthovedet Væver
Ploceus melanocephalus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

20.12.2025 07:19 — 👍 18    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
Rødnæbbet Toko
Tockus erythrorhynchus

Northern Red-billed Hornbill Rødnæbbet Toko Tockus erythrorhynchus

Northern Red-billed Hornbill
Rødnæbbet Toko
Tockus erythrorhynchus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

19.12.2025 06:44 — 👍 21    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Red-and-yellow Barbet
Pragtperleskægfugl
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

Red-and-yellow Barbet Pragtperleskægfugl Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

Red-and-yellow Barbet
Pragtperleskægfugl
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

18.12.2025 06:02 — 👍 13    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
White Stork
Hvid Stork
Ciconia ciconia

White Stork Hvid Stork Ciconia ciconia

White Stork
Hvid Stork
Ciconia ciconia
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

16.12.2025 05:28 — 👍 18    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Isabelline Wheatear
Isabellastenpikker
Oenanthe isabellina

Isabelline Wheatear Isabellastenpikker Oenanthe isabellina

Isabelline Wheatear
Isabellastenpikker
Oenanthe isabellina
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

15.12.2025 06:13 — 👍 20    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Long-crested Eagle
Topørn
Lophaetus occipitalis

Long-crested Eagle Topørn Lophaetus occipitalis

Long-crested Eagle
Topørn
Lophaetus occipitalis
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

13.12.2025 10:00 — 👍 14    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Post image Post image

Broad-billed Roller
Brednæbbet Ellekrage
Eurystomus glaucurus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

12.12.2025 15:16 — 👍 16    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
Red-naped Bushshrike
Sodbrun Busktornskade
Laniarius ruficeps

Red-naped Bushshrike Sodbrun Busktornskade Laniarius ruficeps

Red-naped Bushshrike
Sodbrun Busktornskade
Laniarius ruficeps
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography

11.12.2025 18:31 — 👍 11    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

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