Last Sunday, Hoskote Lake greeted me with a thick morning fog, hiding everything in a soft, quiet veil. I waited, barely seeing a thing, but hopeful. Then, as the sun rose, the fog began to lift, revealing one surprise after another. I knew it was going to be one of those mornings that make every early wake-up call worth it. Here are the pics.
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As I hit the road, the sky began to thicken with fog, transforming the clear morning into a misty wonderland—a bit of magic I hadn’t expected. Here’s a clip from my dash cam, capturing that eerie yet beautiful drive from home to the lake.
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The fog at Hoskote Lake that morning was thick enough to feel like a scene from a mystery novel. I stood there, squinting into the mist, hoping for even a hint of wings.
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Soon, I saw the first bird - a lone silhouette in the mist—most likely a Glossy Ibis, with its slender, curved bill and graceful stance.
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The mist draped the landscape, and the spider webs sparkled like delicate jewelry, each strand catching the faint morning light. This natural art exhibit, with intricate designs glistening all around me had enough beauty to keep me fully absorbed until the light improved.
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The sun rose, cloaked in mist, a soft glow barely breaking through the haze. It felt as though the world was holding its breath, wrapped in a quiet, ethereal light.
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A Black-headed Cuckooshrike appeared through the mist—great to see this winter visitor adding charm to the quiet morning.
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A Spotted Dove puffed up its feathers, trying to beat the chill of the morning air.
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A White-throated Kingfisher sat still, focused on its fishing, and I couldn't help but wonder if the haze made it more challenging for the hunt.
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As the light improved, I spotted more delicate dew pearls glistening on the webs, each one a tiny, perfect gem in the morning glow.
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The fog was still thick, and the Black Kite sat quietly on a tree branch, as if patiently waiting for the mist to lift.
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So was this group of Jungle Mynas, perched nearby.
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Droplets clung to the Swollen Fingergrass.
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A White-browed Wagtail swooped in with a massive catch. I could make out a dragonfly, insects, and more in its catch. The nestlings are certainly in for a great variety of meals!
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Cows and Cattle Egrets grazed peacefully in the mist.
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The landscape, bathed in the soft glow of the rising sun, stretched before me with a small stream weaving through it.
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I captured more droplet jewelry.
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A Booted Warbler appeared. It’s always nice to spot these early migrants as they make their way through.
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As the sun began its fog-clearing work, a Purple-rumped Sunbird grew active.
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A Bay-backed Shrike was the last of the misty birds to make an appearance.
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A Purple-rumped Sunbird appeared in the improving light.
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Scarlet morning glories bloomed brightly in the wild.
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A group of Rose-ringed Parakeets flew in, settling together for what seemed like a lively discussion.
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Next, I spotted a Black-winged Kite, typically a shy bird. As it flew from pole to pole and then down to the ground, I kept track of its movements. Eventually, I managed to capture it in flight.
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After that, two Jungle Mynas took their turn, launching off the back of a cow in a flurry of wings.
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The Cattle Egret seemed content as its domain was finally free from encroachers.
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A Barn Swallow perched gracefully on a wire.
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A Long-tailed Shrike perched nearby.
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I watched as a Black Drongo swooped down, its movements sharp and precise, returning with a fly catch.
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An Ashy Prinia sang cheerfully as the fog completely cleared.
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Another Drongo swooped down with incredible speed.
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A Paddyfield Pipit foraged quietly on the ground.
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A Grey Heron landed gracefully on a distant tree, its wings outstretched in slow motion.
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An Asian Green Bee-eater perched elegantly on the top of a distant tree.
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I waited patiently for the Pied Kingfisher to strike for fish, but it seemed too full.
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A Common Kingfisher marked its presence with a quick flash of blue.
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A fairly rare sighting of Blue-tailed Bee-eaters—one of them proudly displayed its vibrant blue tail, making sure there was no confusion about its identity. It was a striking moment.
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The last sighting of the day was a White-browed Wagtail, foraging diligently on the ground.
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I hope you enjoyed the post! Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts or any questions. I'd love to hear from you!
