BATV Crew (& Flat Kammsy) Return from Botswana!

I’ve got to say that working for Nikon’s Birding Adventures as Destinations Director is a great privilege. Not only is James Currie a friend and great to work with, but it’s enormously fun to have conversations with people all over the world who want their birding destinations to be featured on the show. In the last two months, I’ve jetsetted to exotic locations from the Seychelles, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Kenya, all the way back home to Maine and Virginia Beach, all from the comfort of my home office.

But this role is not all fun and games. A terrible health hazard from this job is-cue the violins-guttural envy every time James jumps on a plane to explore another country with amazing birdlife. Oh, sure, from time to time I am part of the crew (Ecuador, for example) but mostly I’m back home setting up the next destination. So when after a year of trying, we lined up Botswana and the Okavanga Delta as a four-part feature episode, I bit my knuckles with envy.

You see, exploring the wilds of Africa is my biggest dream…a dream I can trace back to the deltas and plains I’ve been wandering in my mind since I was 5 years old, to the lions and cheetahs I’ve captured only with a mental shutter button.

The crew has just emerged from the trip and are settling in their respective abodes. But it’s okay…after several rounds of therapy and bottles of gin, I have come to terms with the fact I wasn’t on this trip. I’m  basking in an early release of photographic images, which show an incredible array of birds and wildlife.

You simply must stop what you are doing and search for Botswana on BATV’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BirdingAdventures.

And my spirits are buoyed by the returning excitement of the crew: James, Adrian Binns (photographer/wildlife tour guide) and Robert Oliver (videographer). Also by our new friendships with the folks at Botswana Tourism Organization.

And finally, my envy is completely gone, thanks to my new BFF Adrian. At my suggestion (so WHAT if it was worded like a threat?), he took me–or rather Flat Kammsy–on the bush plane with him to scope out meerkats, lions, and giraffes. Pardon my condition – Adrian tells  me I got rained on a few times.

Ahhh, Botswana. You never looked so good.

(Holds hands over ears) "I love flying on the outside of bush planes. I love flying on the outside of bush planes. I love flying on the outside of bush planes."

Guys, stop bugging me while I'm watching these giraffes.

Bet that wildebeest is not having as much fun as I am.

This meerkat better not pee on me or Adrian is going DOWN.

Thanks to James and Adrian for being good sports. And stay tuned for “Birding in Botswana” updates!

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BATV Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/BirdingAdventures

BATV Website: www.birdingadventures.com

Botswana Tourism Organization: http://www.botswanatourism.us/

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Special thanks to BirdChick’s birding adventures with Flat Stanley for inspiring Flat Kammsy to hijack the bush plane. Sharon, I will happily take your Flat Stanley to Israel with me, because it sounds as if he’s totally jealous of your fall tour.