The beauty of bird photography lies in its universality. Whether in the remote wetlands of East Africa or a quiet garden in New Mexico, birds bring color, life, and motion to every environment. In her three books—Birds of Africa: Kenya and Tanzania, Birds in Flight, and African Safari: Kenya and Tanzania—Jane Moorman curates a collection of birds that spans continents and climates, tied together by a shared appreciation for their presence and personality.
Here is a selection of standout birds from her work, each paired with a moment or trait that elevates it beyond just a subject to photograph:
1. African Fish Eagle
Powerful and precise, this eagle is known for its dramatic fishing dives. Caught soaring over Lake Naivasha, it captures the spirit of East Africa’s waterways. Its white head and piercing eyes make it one of the most iconic raptors on the continent.
2. Lilac-breasted Roller
A splash of color in flight, this bird is a favorite for both seasoned and amateur photographers. With iridescent feathers of blue, purple, and green, it glows against the savanna. Its wingspan in motion, captured in Moorman’s African collection, reveals layers of beauty often missed in still images.
3. Pied Kingfisher
Small but striking, this black-and-white bird hovers with precision before diving for fish. Often seen perched on reeds or wires, it exemplifies agility and focus. Its presence adds energy to the stillness of East Africa’s waters.
4. Flamingo (Greater and Lesser)
With their sweeping necks and blush-pink feathers, flamingos symbolize elegance. Moorman’s work captures them feeding in synchronized motion, distinguishing Greater from Lesser by the depth of their bill in the water—a visual detail that adds educational depth to the image.
5. Northern Harrier
Closer to home, this raptor was photographed mid-flight above the roads of New Mexico. Known for its owl-like face and low gliding flight, the Northern Harrier is a master hunter. The photo, snapped from a car window, underscores the importance of readiness in bird photography.
6. Sandhill Crane
Spotted at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, these cranes are among the most graceful of North American birds. Their synchronized migrations bring tens of thousands to New Mexico’s wetlands each winter, creating a ballet of wings at sunrise and sunset.
7. Snow Geese and Blue Morphs
Another winter highlight at Bosque del Apache, these geese fill the sky in great waves. Moorman’s images show not only the white flocks but also the rare blue morphs, whose unique coloring results from a single gene mutation.
8. Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Photographed in Colombia’s Cartagena Aviary, this bird dazzles with its tropical brilliance. With its vivid colors and expressive eyes, it adds a touch of the exotic to the book Birds of Flight, which includes both local and global subjects.
9. White Peacock
A symbol of rarity and grace, the white peacock is not albino, but leucistic—a mutation that strips pigment from its feathers. Moorman’s image of this bird at a sanctuary reveals its quiet dignity and ethereal appearance.
10. Cooper’s Hawk
Photographed in Albuquerque, this urban raptor is a reminder that wild beauty exists even in backyards. Known for its agility in wooded areas and sharp focus on prey, it brings the wilderness to the fence line.
Moorman’s photographic journey is not just about location—it’s about observation. Whether flying over the savanna or perched on a backyard feeder, birds are messengers of change, of freedom, and of stillness. These favorites from her books illustrate the power of seeing—of noticing the world in motion and honoring it with a lens. For bird lovers, travelers, and aspiring photographers alike, her collections are an invitation to explore the skies above, no matter where you are.