Coracias caudatus

The lilac-breasted roller is said to be the most photographed species in Africa - it's not hard to see why. I snapped this one during a very enjoyable day with Monzi Safaris in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve, the oldest national park in South Africa.

As to the extra shots, most days in HiP start with a great sunrise but this was the best visit I ever had for lion sightings. The park was also instrumental in saving the white rhino from extinction back in the early 1960's when it was the base for Operation Rhino. It still has a large population of both white and black rhino but even here the pressure from the vile poaching trade is being felt so it always feels like a great privilege to see a mother and calf like this pair.