Michael Lund Markussen
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Michael Lund Markussen
@mlmarkussen.bsky.social
1.5K followers 790 following 980 posts
Traveller of East Africa, birder, amateur photographer, conservationist, coin collector, bookwyrm, local politician.

All my pictures are my own.
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Hildebrandt's Starling
Masaiglansstær
Lamprotornis hildebrandti

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 22, 2026 at 6:50 AM
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Ashy Starling
Ensfarvert Glansstær
Lamprotornis unicolor

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 21, 2026 at 6:08 AM
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Grasshopper Buzzard
Græshoppevåge
Butastur rufipennis

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 20, 2026 at 7:58 AM
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Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
January 19, 2026 at 6:24 AM
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Black-winged Kite
Blå Glente
Elanus caeruleus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 8, 2026 at 6:18 AM
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Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Somalisanghøg
Melierax poliopterus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 7, 2026 at 6:37 AM
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Wahlberg's Eagle
Savanneørn
Hieraaetus wahlbergi
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 6, 2026 at 7:24 PM
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Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
January 6, 2026 at 6:21 AM
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Olive Bee-eater
Madagaskar-biæder
Merops superciliosus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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. 🐦✨
January 4, 2026 at 7:56 AM
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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.
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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.
January 3, 2026 at 7:08 AM
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White-browed Coucal
Hvidbrynet Sporegøg
Centropus superciliosus
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. 🪶🌿
January 2, 2026 at 1:21 PM
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Peregrine Falcon
Vandrefalk
Falco peregrinus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
December 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM
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Spotted Thick-knee
Plettet triel
Burhinus capensis
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Spotted Thick-knee Plettet triel Burhinus capensis
December 28, 2025 at 9:33 AM
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Village Indigobird
Atlasfinke
Vidua chalybeata
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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!
December 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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Water Thick-knee
Vandtriel
Burhinus vermiculatus

#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
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.
December 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
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Eastern Paradise-Whydah
Paradisenke
Vidua paradisaea
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Eastern Paradise-Whydah Paradisenke Vidua paradisaea
December 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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Black-headed Weaver
Sorthovedet Væver
Ploceus melanocephalus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Black-headed Weaver Sorthovedet Væver Ploceus melanocephalus
December 20, 2025 at 7:19 AM
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Northern Red-billed Hornbill
Rødnæbbet Toko
Tockus erythrorhynchus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Northern Red-billed Hornbill Rødnæbbet Toko Tockus erythrorhynchus
December 19, 2025 at 6:45 AM
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Red-and-yellow Barbet
Pragtperleskægfugl
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Red-and-yellow Barbet Pragtperleskægfugl Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
December 18, 2025 at 6:02 AM
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White Stork
Hvid Stork
Ciconia ciconia
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
White Stork Hvid Stork Ciconia ciconia
December 16, 2025 at 5:28 AM
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Isabelline Wheatear
Isabellastenpikker
Oenanthe isabellina
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Isabelline Wheatear Isabellastenpikker Oenanthe isabellina
December 15, 2025 at 6:13 AM
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Long-crested Eagle
Topørn
Lophaetus occipitalis
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Long-crested Eagle Topørn Lophaetus occipitalis
December 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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Broad-billed Roller
Brednæbbet Ellekrage
Eurystomus glaucurus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
December 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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Red-naped Bushshrike
Sodbrun Busktornskade
Laniarius ruficeps
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Red-naped Bushshrike Sodbrun Busktornskade Laniarius ruficeps
December 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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European Roller
Ellekrage
Coracias garrulus
#birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
European Roller Ellekrage Coracias garrulus European Roller Ellekrage Coracias garrulus European Roller Ellekrage Coracias garrulus
December 11, 2025 at 6:18 AM