The Flamingo Heart at Hoskote Lake

Some Saturday mornings are simply too good to ignore. At 7:30 am, a friend messaged to say that Greater Flamingos had been spotted at Hoskote Lake. It was exciting news because these elegant birds are only occasional visitors to the lake. The last time Greater Flamingos made a stopover here was in March 2020, when I was fortunate enough to photograph them as well. You can read about that memorable encounter in my earlier post, Flamingos Visit Hoskote.

There was no time to waste. I persuaded my wife, Manju, to join me for what I promised would be a quick outing to see the flamingos. After dropping our child at school, Manju and I headed to Hoskote, hoping the birds were still there. Thankfully, they were. We were rewarded with wonderful views of all five visitors, all juvenile Greater Flamingos, making it a memorable start to the weekend.

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By the time we reached the lake at around 9:15 am, the day was already warming up. Fortunately, four of the juvenile flamingos were feeding close to the shore.

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I set up my camera and began capturing the elegant poses of these beautiful juvenile flamingos as they fed peacefully in the shallow waters.

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The brownish-white plumage identifies these birds as juveniles. Unlike adults, which display the iconic pink coloration, young Greater Flamingos gradually acquire their vibrant pink feathers over the next two to three years through pigments obtained from their diet.

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Flamingos feed by filtering tiny algae, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms from the water using their uniquely adapted bills.

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Greater Flamingos are highly social birds, often feeding and resting in groups. These four juveniles rarely strayed far from one another during our visit.

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After spending some time away from the group, the fifth juvenile finally appeared, giving us the chance to photograph all five flamingos together.

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I followed the pair, hoping they would briefly align into the classic heart-shaped pose that every flamingo photographer dreams of. They came close several times, but the perfect moment remained just out of reach.

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One of the juveniles suddenly took off, revealing the faint blush of pink beginning to develop on its underwings—a sign that it was gradually transitioning toward adult plumage.

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Between bouts of feeding, the flamingos paused to preen. Their remarkably flexible necks allowed them to reach almost every feather, keeping their plumage clean and waterproof.

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In the wild, Greater Flamingos can live for 30 to 40 years, and some captive birds have lived for over 60 years.

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I decided to change my position for one final attempt at the classic flamingo heart pose. The pair continued feeding and occasionally looked up at each other, teasing me with a few near misses.

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Then, for a brief moment, their graceful necks aligned perfectly, forming the iconic heart shape I had been hoping for. It lasted only a second, but it was worth the wait.

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The iconic heart-shaped pose is often associated with flamingo courtship. If a pair successfully breeds, they usually lay a single egg and raise just one chick, with both parents sharing incubation duties and feeding the chick with a nutrient-rich crop milk during its early weeks.

Bonus from the previous day: Manju and I drove to Mysore for a peaceful visit to Chamundeshwari Temple and wrapped up the trip with a stop at the beautiful Mysore Palace.

As we made our way home, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to witness another rare flamingo visit to Hoskote Lake. Here's hoping these graceful visitors return again, bringing with them many more memorable mornings.

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

A Watercock Lifer at Varthur Lake

Varthur Lake has been buzzing lately with reports of increased bird activity, with one sighting standing above the rest: the rare Watercock. Having never seen one before, I couldn't resist the chance to chase this lifer. The trip rewarded me not only with the elusive Watercock but also with a wonderful variety of wetland birds, making it a morning to remember. 

Here are the pictures.

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The overnight rain left the trail to the lake covered in sticky clay that clung stubbornly to my shoes with every step. By the time I stopped to capture this beautiful sunrise, clumps of mud had already been shaken loose onto the path.

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Textured clouds filtered the sun's rays.

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One of the first birds to greet me on the lake was a pair of Indian Spot-billed Ducks.

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A Common Hawk-Cuckoo sat quietly on a berry-laden branch, offering an unusually prolonged view.

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A Paddyfield Pipit walked confidently along the open trail.

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Perfectly blending into the marshy vegetation, a Greater Painted-Snipe stood motionless, relying on its remarkable camouflage to remain hidden.

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With the vast expanse of reeds, floating vegetation, and open water stretching ahead, finding a single Watercock felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. Every movement in the marsh demanded a closer look as I patiently scanned the habitat, hoping for a glimpse of my long-awaited lifer.

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As I searched the marsh for any sign of the elusive Watercock, a scattered group of Pheasant-tailed Jacanas emerged from the floating vegetation instead. They busily picked their way across the aquatic plants, providing a welcome distraction while the search continued.

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The Pheasant-tailed Jacana is graceful on the water, but it is in flight that it truly shines.

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Every takeoff was a sight to behold.

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After patiently scanning the vast marsh, the moment I'd been waiting for finally arrived. A male Watercock stepped out into the open.

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While not a migratory species, Watercocks are known for local seasonal movements, appearing in suitable wetlands as water levels and habitat conditions change.

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Every now and then, a Eurasian Coot, with its dark plumage resembling a Watercock at a distance, would emerge from the vegetation, raising my hopes before proving to be a false alarm.

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Soon, the male Watercock began pursuing the female across the marsh, repeatedly spreading his wings in display. She stayed just out of reach, turning the encounter into an entertaining game of chase.

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With my target finally achieved, I continued along the trail to see what else Varthur had to offer. The beautiful weather and thriving wetland promised there were still plenty of surprises waiting ahead.

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A Brahminy Kite perched atop a palm, enjoying its morning meal.

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A Ruddy-breasted Crake emerged briefly from the dense water hyacinths before disappearing back into cover. Secretive and seldom seen, these shy rails are among the most rewarding birds to encounter in the wetlands.

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A Pied Bushchat perched patiently on a bare branch.

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A Grey-headed Swamphen stepped into view, while a greyish juvenile peeked curiously from behind, watching me from the safety of the reeds.

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An Alexandrine Parakeet paused on a coconut palm, feasting on the tender fruits while keeping a watchful eye on its surroundings.

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The vibrant Red Avadavat added a splash of colour to the reeds, and I was delighted to find a pair together, the brilliant crimson male beside his more subtly dressed mate.

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A flock of Baya Weavers caught my attention, prompting me to walk towards their bustling nesting colony.

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A Brahminy Kite soared gracefully overhead before settling on a nearby tree, offering another close look.

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A carpet of blooming water hyacinths added a splash of purple to the wetlands, a reminder that even an invasive plant can briefly transform the lake into a striking canvas.

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A lone Asian Green Bee-eater paused on a bare twig, patiently scanning its surroundings before darting out in pursuit of its next insect meal.

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The hanging nests revealed why the colony was so lively. Male Baya Weavers busily inspected, repaired, and displayed their intricately woven homes, hoping to attract a mate.

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Behind the Baya Weaver colony, a small group of Lesser Whistling Ducks drifted quietly through the calm waters.

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One last portrait of the handsome male Baya Weaver before I wrapped up an eventful morning at Varthur Lake.

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From a long-awaited lifer to countless bonus sightings, Varthur Lake delivered another memorable morning in the field.

What's your most recent lifer? Let me know in the comments below!