'Carmine bee eaters are a very exotic bird. Their feathers shimmer with interference colours and in the right light the pinks and reds of a carmine bee eater can almost look florescent. In various places along the Okavango near Shakawe there are nesting colonies of these birds at certain times of the year. These are mostly in overhanging riverbanks and require a boat to see them properly. They also fly so fast the action is all a blur except for when they are perched on a branch. I love carmines because when I see these paintings I am reminded of good times camped at Shakawe and staying with the Drotskys at their comfortable camp.'

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