Birding the World, Four Places at a Time
Over the past year, I’ve travelled across four countries, adding species to a bird list I started at the age of three. My love for birds and passion for nature have led me on adventures as part of the andBeyond team that many only dream of.
From the grasslands of Kenya to the volcanic landscapes of the Galapagos Islands, one thing remains constant: there will always be birds to find. And there’s no better way to do it than with a pair of binoculars every birder should have in their backpack—my trusted SWAROVSKI OPTIK AX Visio. These innovative binoculars offered me unforgettable sightings, time and time again.
In the forests surrounding the Masai Mara, the dawn chorus is a symphony—Scharlow’s and Ross’s Turacos call unseen from the canopy, Brown-throated Wattle-eyes flit across rooftops, and African Wood-owls line the paths.
Out on the Mara plains, some birds are harder to spot, like the elusive Moustached Grass Warbler. Thankfully, the bird ID feature on the AX Visio makes it easier to identify even the trickiest LBJs (“little brown jobs”). Of course, some birds can’t help but grab your attention, like the flamboyant African Crowned Crane or the imposing Rüppell's Vulture during a Great Migration carcass scene.
From Savannah to the Sea
As impressive as Africa’s birdlife is, the Galapagos Islands offer a completely different kind of wonder. Here, Blue-footed Boobies, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and Magnificent Frigatebirds fill the skies above white-sand beaches.
And that’s just the beginning. I witnessed Waved Albatrosses on Española, American Flamingos on Santa Cruz, and the remarkable Galapagos Short-eared Owl on Genovesa—one of the few owls known to hunt during the day.
What made these encounters even more special was the photo function on the AX Visio. With just the press of a button, I could capture each moment—no heavy camera needed, just pure connection to the experience.
About
Kristen Harrison
Is a South Africa based photographer and safari guide travelling the world on behalf of AndBeyond, exploring unique and iconic wildlife destinations. She is an avid bird enthusiast who has spent many hours nurturing her love for nature. After completing a guiding course in 2020, Kristen then went on to work in a few different reserves, eventually settling into a guiding role at Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa for a few years, before taking on the role as AndBeyond’s first ever Virtual Safari Guide, and travelling the world in search of all things wild.
For more information and fascinating adventures visit her Instagram account: @harris_wild_adventures.