Richard Du Toit / Burchell's Zebra (Equus burchellii) and Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) as passenger, Savuti, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Richard Du Toit / Kori bustard {Choriotis kori} with Carmine bee-eater {Merops nubicus} on back. Botswana

Sue Flood / Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) nesting site in river bank, South Luangwa valley, Zambia September

Sue Flood / Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) at nesting site in river bank in South Luangwa valley, Zambia September

Sue Flood / Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) next to nest holes in river bank in South Luangwa valley, Zambia September

Sue Flood / Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) next to nest holes in river bank in South Luangwa valley, Zambia September

Sue Flood / Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicus) pair resting on branch, South Luangwa valley, Zambia, September

Christophe Courteau / Southern carmine bee-eater {Merops nubicus} in flight, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Christophe Courteau / Flock of Southern carmine bee-eaters {Merops nubicus} in tree, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Christophe Courteau / Flock of Southern carmine bee-eaters {Merops nubicus} in tree, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Christophe Courteau / Flock of Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters (Merops nubicus nubicoides) Okavango Delta, Botswana

Nick Garbutt / Flock of Southern carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides) in flight from the banks of the Luangwa River, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, October

Nick Garbutt / Southern Carmine bee-eaters (Merops nubicoides) near nest holes on the banks of the Luangwa River, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, October

Nick Garbutt / Southern Carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) returning to nest hole in river bank, Luangwa River, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, October

Nick Garbutt / Southern Carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) returning to nest hole in river bank, Luangwa River, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, October

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) perching, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) adult and juvenile perching, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) perching, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) percheing, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Richard Du Toit / Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) with hitch-hiking Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops nubicus), Chobe National Park, Botswana

Richard Du Toit / Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) with hitch-hiking Carmine Bee-eaters (Merops nubicus), Chobe National Park, Botswana

TJ Rich / Carmine Bee-eaters at nesting colony {Merops nubicus} South Luangwa NP, Zambia

TJ Rich / Carmine Bee-eaters at nesting colony {Merops nubicus} South Luangwa NP, Zambia

TJ Rich / Carmine Bee-eaters at nesting colony {Merops nubicus} South Luangwa NP, Zambia

TJ Rich / Carmine Bee-eaters at nesting colony {Merops nubicus} South Luangwa NP, Zambia

Pete Oxford / Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) raiding Carmine Bee-eater nests in rock face, Botswana

Richard Du Toit / Carmine bee eater {Merops nubicus} flying, Chobe NP, Botswana.

Michael W. Richards / Carmine bee-eaters and nests in bank {Merops nubicus} Zambia

Tony Heald / Carmine bee-eater {Merops nubicoides} Chobe NP, Botswana

Michael & Patricia Fogden / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) breeding colony, savannah, north Cameroon

Hermann Brehm / Carmine bee-eaters at nests in river bank {Merops nubicus} Namibia

Richard Du Toit / Pair of Carmine bee-eaters {Merops nubicus} Savute-Chobe NP, Botswana

Hermann Brehm / Carmine bee-eaters at nests in river bank, Namibia.

Richard Du Toit / Carmine bee eater {Merops nubicus} Kruger NP, S Africa

Pete Oxford / Carmine bee-eater at nest site in sand bank, Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa.

Tony Heald / Carmine bee-eater {Merops nubicus} Chobe NP, Botswana

Hermann Brehm / Carmine bee eater {Merops nubicus} Botswana

Tony Heald / Carmine bee eater {Merops nubicus} Chobe NP, Botswana

Pete Oxford / Carmine bee-eater at nest hole in mud bank {Merops nubicus} Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa

Pete Oxford / Carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicus) at nest site. Okavango Delta, Botswana, Southern Africa

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) stretching its wing, Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Vincent Grafhorst / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus), Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Serowe, Botswana

Michael & Patricia Fogden / Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus) breeding colony, savannah, Cameroon