The elusive Oriole Warbler.

The Oriole Warbler is a large colourful warbler with a very loud and impressive song but nevertheless it’s an extremely difficult bird to pin down. We had been cruising along the Mangrove creeks off the River Gambia in a small boat with an old and very experienced boatman at the helm. As we meandered these backwaters we saw many birds, but the Oriole Warbler frustratingly kept under cover. Coming to the end of our last creek we could see one of these elusive birds flitting around some dense vegetation and Mas who has the eyes of a Snake Eagle pointed one out. ‘It’s coming out’ he whispered and sure enough one appeared for about ten seconds out in the open, but it’s still not easy, you have to acquire focus, get the correct exposure and fire the shutter in this short time.
However, I managed a few frames of this very elusive bird after many previously failed attempts - to say I was pleased was an understatement!