Rupert Watson was born in England but has lived in Kenya for over 40 years where he practices variably as a lawyer, mediator, naturalist and writer. His work has taken him to many parts of Africa, providing every opportunity to indulge his lifelong fascination for birds. He has authored several books, including The African Baobab and Culture Clash, and has written many articles, largely on natural history, for a wide range of publications.
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Birds of Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area
R270.00Discover the diverse birdlife of Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area with this visually stunning guide. More than 300 commonly seen bird species are described in concise, engaging prose, highlighting their main characteristics. The text is accompanied by excellent full-colour photographs. Viewing notes, including tips about where and when birds are best observed, are given throughout.
For ease of use, the book is categorized into six sections: ground-dwelling, bush and woodland, nocturnal, waterbirds, birds of prey, and birds of the air. A brief introduction presents the key features of each wildlife sanctuary and the habitats that shelter the birds.
The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are two of the world’s most popular safari destinations, renowned for the annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and thousands of zebra. This easy-to-read, richly illustrated guide is the perfect safari companion and a valuable memento.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND AUTHOR
Jean du Plessis is an award-winning news photographer who has published several books with Penguin Random House. A prolific wildlife photographer, he leads annual safari tours to the Serengeti National Park.Rupert Watson has lived in Kenya for over 40 years, where he practises as a lawyer, mediator, and writer. He has authored several books, including the forthcoming Wildlife of Serengeti & Ngorongoro Conservation Area. He is Chair of the East African Natural History Society.
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Peacocks & Picathartes
R280.00Peacocks & Picathartes is a celebration of the diversity of African birds, focusing on families that occur only in Africa as well as iconic families and species that, despite having close relatives in other parts of the world, seem to embody something of Africa.
Watson’s anecdotal style captures vividly his encounters with prized species, such the secretive White-necked Picathartes and the elusive Congo Peacock. He conveys the sheer delight mousebirds take in ‘being what they are’, and reveals the surprise discovery in 1991 of a new partridge in Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains.
Drawing on precolonial and current-day avian accounts, he offers his own insights based on a lifetime of personal observations in the wilds of Africa – recounting unforgettable expeditions, quirky bird behaviour, jittery taxonomy, moments of rare good luck – and much more. Both informative and entertaining, this book captures the essence of African birdlife, and will appeal to bird enthusiasts across the spectrum.
