'Sandgrouse are extremely beautiful birds. Yet they do not get the same appreciation that raptors, bee eaters and kingfishers might. It's because they are very shy and most peoples experience of them is when they flush from flat sandy terrain adjacent to a track one is driving on. They like the same kind of habitat that is inhabited by steenbok antelope. At least that's where I have had my best sightings. The first thing you see is an explosion of wings fluttering and then they are gone. Their camouflage is so good that you can walk right past them and never see them. This painting is based on encounters that I was only able to take advantage of because of statistical probability!. I sent so much time in the bush that it was inevitable I would have a few very special occasions when I was able to study these beautiful birds. And this was the case in the Ngwezumba where a favorite camping place of mine in Botswana was on sandy ground next to a small pan where a pair of steenbok liked to hang out. There were always sandgrouse there in the early morning.'

.