Pat Bean's blog

Hammerkop

While the zebras are striking, it was the hammerkop at my feet that got my attention. - Photo by Pat Bean, Tanzania, 2007

The trio of zebras drinking from the Tarangire River in Tanzania tickled my senses with their black and white carnival appearance. But it took the strange wading bird at their feet to elicit an outcry of “Look!” to my friend, Kim, who at the time was focused on a trio of elephants on our side of the river.

 It was early enough on in our shared African safari that she hadn’t yet muttered her angst against my constant bird watching. That would come later. Actually it was more my jumping around in the Land Rover for a better look, which jiggled her camera, that disturbed her most – especially when it was three generations of elephants, a tree-climbing lion or a rare leopard that had claimed her attention.

Now that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy watching these large mammals, or that she didn’t enjoy birds. We’d enjoyed many pleasant bird outings together back in the states. It was just that faced with choices, her deeper passion went one way and mine the other.

Kim gave the hammerkop I had pointed out a quick look and went back to her elephants while I studied the bird, one that had been high on my wish list of things to see while in Africa. Its elongated head reminded me of a hammerhead shark. In fact, hammerkop is the Dutch word for hammerhead.

This brown bird with the quirky profile is a member of the stork family. Killing one, according to superstition, is supposed to bring bad luck. I wondered if just seeing one would bring good luck.

I guess it did. Kim and I survived our different passions and are still the best of friends.