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Hunters of Hoskote

My Sunday morning birding trip to Hoskote lake was highlighted by the spectacular experience of watching a couple of hunts. Here's a photo tour...

Tricolored Munia...


Long-tailed Shrike...


Lots of Pied Bushchat were active. Here's a female...


Male Pied Bushchat...


Cute little Zitting Cisticola...


Zitting Cisticola is one of the easiest birds to photograph. It will sit and pose for you...









I could get only a record shot of the Black-breasted Weaver...


Another female Pied Bushchat...


A flock of Red Avadavats and Tricolored Munias...











Baya Weaver. It could be female or nonbreeding male, both look identical...


Yellow Hibiscus...


Another Baya Weaver flew in...


It seemed to find its prey...


The first peck...


The prey was a Praying Mantis. The intelligent bird dismembers one of the spiked grasping forelegs of the Praying mantis making it harmless...


 All this while it clasps the mantis with its specially designed claws...


Final peck...


Here's the Mantis ready to be gulped...





 Saw this beautiful reflection in the lake...





As I was clicking the reflection in the water, a Checkered Keelback snake surprised me as it emerged out of water with a fish just 2 feet from where I was sitting. It crawled to the shore and swallowed the fish...



I hope you liked the post. Do let me know your feedback in the comments section below...



43 comments:

  1. Amazingly beautiful colorful birds!
    I would not like to see a snake that close to me!

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  2. These are great photos of birds (and snake eating fish) that aren't in my neighborhood. Thanks for posting.

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  3. My goodness this must be your favorite place to watch birds - what a variety, and so many! Also love your photogenic design of the leaves in a row in the water! The red/orange birds crack me up, they remind me of s a gossip circle in the neighborhood:)Isn't that interesting, some things are found in every culture. A magnificent post, Shiju, and many thanks for sharing them with All Seasons! Have a great and accomplished week!

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  4. What amazing photos especially the snake devouring the fish.

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  5. Your photos never fail to amaze me - such biodiversity, and such sharp, clear photography. Gorgeous.
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/09/a-visitor.html

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  6. Oh I loved this post ... incredible. Your photos look like they should be in a nature magazine or a book. Wonderful. I love that little one who poses so cooperatively ... and all the different kinds of red birds on that branch. All the birds are beautiful, but the series of the one eating the mantis and that last photo of the snake eating the fish are amazing ...I’ve never seen anything like those.

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  7. Astounding photography! My fave is the snake devouring the fish.

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  8. Amazing pictures! I cannot even pick a favorite.
    :) gwingal

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  9. Your eye and imagination, with your camera, create amazing shots of life for us to see. Thank you!

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  10. amazing! some really wonderful moments captured.

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  11. Nature's colours cannot be matched. Your photography, as usual, is of a very high standard!

    Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week's optional prompt is 37/51 What Is Love? 16/9/19. Do hope you join in. Denyse.

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  12. Such amazing colours and so well shot, Shiju, like you always do! Fabulous photography!!!

    Esha
    https://theskygirl.com/2019/09/11/seeking-solace-in-the-sky-wordlesswednesday/

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  13. Quite a series of amazing pictures of some incredible encounters.

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  14. Goodness, what wonderful captures! I love the colorful birds a lot but all your photos are beautiful to see :)

    Thanks for your link on 'My Corner of the World'! It's lovely to see you this week!


    My Corner of the World

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  15. These pictures are fantastic. I wish my camera was like yours. What kind do you have? Those were wonderful photos and such extravagant birds. Simply awesome and thank you for sharing them. I wish my camera took such wonderful pictures such as yours. I have a old camera and it's not so good. Oh well, at least I get to enjoy your pictures. WOW! Thank you my sister from another mother!!! HUGS Have a great weekend!

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    1. Er.. not sister but brother from another mother. I use Canon 6D camera.

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  16. Wow! You captured all the small dramas going on at the waterline. What a lovely set of photos. I especially love the photos of bird and preying mantis.

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  17. You have a great eye for bird photography. Just gorgeous! Thanks for linking up

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  18. Wow - einzigartige Aufnahmen! Ihre Fotos sind sensationell.

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  19. Your photography is always breathtaking... I'm a bird lover and so jealous of your 'finds'... we do not have nearly this many gorgeous birds in our area! Miss seeing you at Tuesday Turn About!

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  20. Fantastic pictures.
    I am very impressed.
    The bird photos are so fantastic, I am deeply impressed.
    There are no such beautiful birds here in Germany, so I'm so amazed!

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  21. Indeed, the Zitting Cisticola is the perfect model in the birld world :) Stunning photos. The snake gulping a fish looks great, allthough a bit cruel. Thank you for linking Shiju, have a nice weekend.

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  22. What a great selection of birds, beautiful photos too. I particularly like the series of photos of the weaver with the mantis

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  23. Hi,
    Beautiful Shots! Thanks for sharing your birding trip.
    Have a great day!

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  24. What amazing photographs, Shiju! The birds are so colourful and beautiful, and you've managed to get such close up shots as well! The photos of the bird and the praying mantis are just incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful posts with the Hearth and Soul Link Party.

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  25. Hello, beautiful birds, great sightings. I love the photos of the different birds sitting together, they are so colorful. Pretty reflections and flowers. Awesome post! Thank you for sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  26. Amazing! The bird swallowing the mantis and the snake swallowing the fish are super!

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  27. I love seeing all the different birds and where they are perched. Of course the colorful birds on the wires together are just amazing! Wonderful photos that I always enjoy....well, all but one! lol Enjoy your weekend!

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  28. Thanks so much for joining us birders and sharing your blog post this weekend. Those of us at I'd Rather B Birdin' appreciate your photos and narrative!

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  29. I so did love this post....so many beautiful birds! Great photos!

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  30. What amazing photos of predator and prey! Love those! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger's Pit Stop!

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  31. Spectacular color and detail! I especially enjoyed the photos of Zitting Cisticola.

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  32. Amazing pictures. I would love see a Red Avadavat in the wild. All I see here are seagulls and pigeons!

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