Sunday morning saw me at Kaikondrahalli lake. I was visiting this beautiful lake in Bangalore for the first time and in a sense, it was a recce for a more elaborate birding trip in future.
Here's a photo tour...
The lake provides a perfect habitat for birds, evident from the numerous nests on trees...
The Cormorants were busy fishing...
The young ones mob the father on his return from fishing...
The chicks insert their head into father's open mouth and pouch to seize whole fishes...
Some parts of the lake have fishes in abundance...
Not many Bangaloreans know that in the midst of their sprawling concrete jungle of a city, there lies a beautiful miniature forest, well preserved by the forest department.
I spent half of my Sunday at the Turahalli Mini Forest and it was one of the most satisfying nature walks.
Here's a photo tour...
The greenery is enchanting...
Baronet butterfly...
The uphill trail...
Grey-breasted Prinia...
Mimosa Pudica flower...
A video showing the sensitive leaves of Mimosa Pudica in action...
Phyllogonostreptus nigrolabiatus millipede was as large as its name...
A White-spotted Fantail was constantly moving. It was very difficult to photograph...
After many tries, I finally captured the elusive fan tail of White-spotted Fantail...
Eurema hecabe butterfly...
Morning Glory closed for the day...
Grass Demon Butterfly...
I kept walking straight along the trail to reach a cliff from where you can see a birds-eye view of the city...
Here's a panorama...
I sighted an Indian Paradise Flycatcher...
Just after giving a glimpse of its beauty, the Indian Paradise Flycatcher flew away...
Common Mormon...
At the top of the hill, there's a Hindu temple. There were idols of Navagraha deities. The deities are personified forms of nine major celestial bodies of Hindu astrology. The nine idols represent Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and ascending and descending lunar nodes known as Rahu and Ketu...
Red-whiskered bulbul...
Berries...
Baronet butterfly...
A shy grasshopper...
Rock Agama Lizard...
The Rock Agama lizard was shedding its skin...
A Common Rose Swallowtail was constantly fluttering. I captured it with high shutter speed...
A Red-whiskered Bulbul with his sweet 'Pleased to meet you' call...
Spiny Sow Thistle plant was in seed dispersal mode. Look at the tiny seeds attached to the parachute...
A Spit Bug's creation...
Hoverfly...
Ringlet butterfly...
Another Bulbul...
Common Gull Butterfly...
My walk continued for hours...
I reached the other end of the forest, where another spectacular birds-eye view awaited...
Here's a panorama...
The beautiful day ended with a fabulous sunset as I headed home...
