As I relaxed in deep thought about some best/best of or worst/worst of ideas or experiences, I suddenly thought of another possible category, best of both (or even multiple) worlds.

My mind had suddenly drifted to Cape Point in The Gambia, and restaurant Calypso in particular. A great place if you happen to be passing (most unlikely) or as a place to visit when in this wonderful West African country.

We chose the restaurant which had an extensive open, garden-type area in addition to interior areas, and sat down to relax and enjoy some good food in pleasant surroundings. Just a couple of metres from our table was the edge of a small lagoon. I had my camera out, and ready on the table, just in case anything of interest came along.

Just in case? Wow! There were monkeys who would even join you at the table or go to the water’s edge. Overhead were regular passes by Harrier Hawks, Black Kites, Yellow-billed Kites, Pied Kingfishers, Western Reef Egrets and more. Wading in the shallow lagoon were Great Egrets, Striated Herons, Blue Herons, while flocks of Caspian Terns would dive down to the water. Cormorants would dive for fish and then stand on the bank, wings outspread, to let the sun dry them out.

The most surprising aspect of the lagoon, considering both its proximity to diners and the number of wading birds in the water at any one time, was the appearance of these guys!

Awesome…