Rain-Kissed Saul Kere

The weather wasn't exactly encouraging when I reached Saul Kere. A steady drizzle hung over the lake, and like several other birders, I stayed inside the car, watching the rain and hoping it would ease.

After a while, the drizzle softened to a light mist. It still wasn't ideal weather for carrying a camera, but it seemed manageable. I decided to take my chances, hoping my camera would tolerate the lingering drizzle.

It turned out to be the right decision.

The soft, overcast light brought out beautiful colors, the air was fresh, and the birds seemed more active than I had expected. 

Here are a few highlights from that beautiful, rain-kissed morning at Saul Kere.

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The first frame of the day came almost by accident. A Black-rumped Flameback took off while I was still fine-tuning my camera settings, leaving me just enough time to swing the lens and capture its dramatic departure.

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The Black Kite was in no hurry, circling low overhead and giving me plenty of opportunities to photograph it in flight.

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The Red-wattled Lapwing made sure everyone knew it was around, calling loudly as it defended its nest.

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Unlike the busy lapwing, the Black Drongo seemed content to sit quietly, surveying its surroundings.

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The rain-washed bougainvillea added a burst of color to an already beautiful morning at Saul Kere.

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An egret emerged with a successful catch.

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The Little Egret resumed its slow, deliberate search, scanning the water for its next meal.

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Perched high above the water, the White-throated Kingfisher kept a keen eye on the shallows below.

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After patiently waiting on its perch, the White-throated Kingfisher finally took off, flashing its brilliant blue wings.

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The Indian Spot-billed Ducks didn't wait around. They took off the moment they sensed my presence, giving me a few fleeting flight shots.

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Like many small birds, the Indian White-eyes were constantly on the move, offering only fleeting opportunities for a photograph.

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With its striking rufous plumage and long tail, the Rufous Treepie was hard to miss.

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A Spotted Owlet watched quietly from the safety of its tree hollow.

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The Asian Green Bee-eaters were in constant motion, perching briefly before darting off in pursuit of insects.

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The Indian Silverbill may not demand attention, but it certainly rewards a closer look.

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Every successful hunt ends with a careful return.  A Bee-eater arrives with a freshly caught meal.

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I hope you enjoyed this little journey through Saul Kere. I'd love to hear which sighting or photograph was your favorite. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!

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.