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Birding resumes after lockdown

My last birding trip was on March 14. After being homebound for 3 months due to COVID-19 lockdown, I resumed birding yesterday. Hoskote lake again and what a joy to be there and meet all the lovely birds out there.  Here's a photo tour...

After a week of overcast conditions, the weather decided to smile. Hoskote lake was as cheerful and  inviting as a delicious meal...


A Gray Heron stood stock-still waiting for a fish to pass by. I waited for a while and realized that its patience is far better than mine...


An Intermediate Egret too was focused on fishing...


A Little Grebe emerged with water droplets sticking to it...


An Indian Pond Heron was also focusing with its sharp eyes...


I moved away from the lake and found a Gray-headed Swamphen strolling in the vegetation...


A Paddyfield pipit gulped a worm and I was a bit late to capture the act...


A White-browed Wagtail also moved around looking really busy...


A cute little squirrel was doing Balance Beam gymnastics...


A Red-wattled Lapwing got really agitated on seeing me and started screaming "Pity to do it"....


Then, it flew around screaming aloud...


It came back and sat nearby after a couple of rounds and still screaming. I decided to leave him alone...


It is always nice to see the White-throated Kingfisher...





I saw some activity among the cluster of Baya weaver nests...


A closer look revealed nests at different stages of completion...


A female Baya Weaver turned up after a while, indicating that it has accepted a nest built by a male...


The female Baya Weaver was carrying a strand of grass. The females usually build the interior egg laying chambers...


On the other side, I saw many incomplete nests...


A male Baya Weaver arrived...



He looked around to ensure there's no danger...


An incomplete nest needs attention...


I stood at a distance behind a bush and watched the male Baya weaver meticulously build its nest...









He looks satisfied after a few rounds of touching up...





A Jerdon's Bushlark was singing in sweet whistles...


It was nice to see one more White-browed Wagtail...


A Net-winged beetle...


Back at the lake the Gray heron was still standing still...


An Intermediate egret and a Painted stork almost collided while on their fishing expedition...


Finally, patience paid and the Gray heron got something to eat...


The common water hyacinth is invading a part of the lake and needs weeding. The flowers of the weed are so lovely though...


I saw a juvenile Gray-headed swamphen tailing his mother...


The mother caught a grasshopper and promptly fed the chick...


The Gray-headed swamphen chick looked energized after the small meal...



That was a satisfying birding trip after a long break of 3 months. Hope you liked the post. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below...

56 comments:

  1. Fabulous tour!Thank you!Best wishes.

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  2. This post was BETTER than a National Geographic Special!! Absolutely incredible. Welcome back to the world of birding. Hoping your family & you remain safe and healthy.

    Thanks for taking time to join us at IRBB.

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  3. Beautiful Pictures, You have a Nice and Safe day. . . :)

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  4. Your 1st day back post lockdown certainly was a productive trip.

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  5. Nice to see again all that wildlife!
    The Kingfisher remains a fav of mine.

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  6. A wonderful set of photos and I love the White-throated Kingfisher. The Baya weaver is fascinating to watch I am sure. I have watched weavers in Southern Africa building nests and they are just so clever, possibly one of the best nest builders ever. Stay safe and keep well, hope you have a good week, Diane

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  7. ...fortunately all of your feathered friend were waiting for your return! You captured some beautiful critters of nature.

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  8. Those are all simply super photos. I think the Lapwing had a nest and or youngsters close by?

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  9. What an amazing tour you took us to Shiju! Love every bird and landscape you shared! The Gray-headed Swamphen is a favorite with its beautiful blues and reds, but the lapwing has always caught my attention especially when I first met them through my friend Phil Slade's Blog!

    Have a great new week and thanks for taking us with you on this birding tour :)

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  10. Wow, fantastic photos! Looks like the birds waiting for you come back.

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  11. Amazing photos!! The weaver nests are just incredible! Thank you!

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  12. Amazing photos! Thank you so much for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/06/glowing.html

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  13. What beautiful photos! It must have felt so great to get back out there.

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  14. Awesome photographs! The kingfisher is a beautiful bird and those weaver nest are amazing.

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  15. Great photos. I'm lucky to have a kookaburra that likes my yard so that can let me get some close (ish) photos.

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  16. I am amazed that in an area there are beautiful bird species ..., your camera lens records it carefully.
    .. Greetings from Indonesia.

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  17. Good morning... It's time for walking through Bloggerland. Visiting each other on Our World on Tuesday. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed reading.

    Stay healthy and well.
    Happy MosaicMonday

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  18. Wow what tanfastic photos on your first day back out looks like you enjoyed it thank you for sharing :-)

    Have a birdwatchtastic safe week 😷😷😷

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  19. How good it must have felt to be back...after a very long time. That was a test of endurance!

    Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. I have created a list of lovely regular linkers such as you on the right hand side of my blog. It's now showing more of the community that gathers here each Monday to share our stories. Great to see you here too. Next week's optional prompt is to 'share your snaps'....hope you will be back. Denyse.

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  20. Like your blog. I follow you 552 , follow back maybe? Thanks! :)

    https://bubasworld.blogspot.com/

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  21. Beautiful photos...so glad that you've been able to get out to take them again!

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  22. So many beautiful birds! We don't have such a diverse lot where I am because the minor birds chase them all away. I love the squirrel photo. I collect squirrel figurines and I have a whole cabinet full. We don't have squirrels in Australia.That's probably why I think they are so cute.

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  23. Some amazing photographs. The heron legs are so characterful. The grey haired swamp hen photo and he hen photo is extraordinary. You can see the connection with dinosaurs.

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  24. You had a joyful day for sure. I know I would have jumped for joy seeing all these birds. Love to see your little grebe. Beautiful photography as well. Thanks for sharing your findings :)

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  25. so nice post :)
    I follow your blog, number 553 , follow back?

    have a nice day :)

    https://styleoflifet.blogspot.com/

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  26. I'm so happy for you to be back out birding again. We are still in lockdown for at least another month with no definitive time when we can go home without going into full quarantine. These are very difficult times for so many people. - Margy

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  27. Am happy swamphens grow up, because the juvenile is rather ugly:) These flowers of the weed are gorgeous. What in the world did you say to the lapwing, that it kept screaming at you (joking!)? You must be so happy you can go back outside to do bird watching! Already in the beginning the king fisher caught my eye - they are such pretty birds! The nest building is so interesting - great you were there at the right moment to watch them. A lovely diverse post again, Shiju - many many thanks for sharing it with All Seasons. Have a great month ahead, Jesh.

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  28. You came across some awesome critters! I love the lapwing photos a lot. I had no idea what the bird's nests were until you explained them! All your creatures are gorgeous and colorful :)

    It's awesome to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week! Thanks for linking up.

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  29. Wonderful images! Our parks are starting to open up. There were a few that never closed because they didn't have any buildings, just trails and maybe fishing. I went to them a number of times, avoiding crowded days.

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  30. An absolute delight to visit your blog and view your spectacular photography! Thank you.

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  31. You always take such amazing photos of birds - beautiful as usual!

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  32. Thank you for sharing your absolutely stunning captures from the birding trip, Shiju! Three months of waiting did prove useful, right? Each shot is so unique. Loved all of them.
    Thank you for joining us this week. Happy #ww and a blessed week ahead.

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  33. hello,

    I am sure it felt good just being able to get outdoors and watch these lovely birds. Your photos are just amazing and beautiful. Have a great day!

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  34. Absolutely fascinating. The beauty of all of these birds is amazing.
    The feet on the Swamp hen are so big and spindly...loved that capture.
    All the Weaver nests would have worn my camera out snapping them.
    Wow
    Sue

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  35. I'm so happy for you to be able to finally get out into nature! We found one trail that remained open and it helped us get through the months of lockdown. Love the weaver nests...that are amazing! And you find the most colorful birds there. Beautiful photos! I really enjoyed them today! Take care and stay safe! Hugs from Florida, Diane

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  36. Glad you're back with your beautiful photography. I so need the birds to teach me how to weave like that...amazing nest. Have a good week.

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  37. I am glad you are well and able to get out again...That nest is amazing...Michelle

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  38. Those photos are very lovely and beautiful. I am familiar with all of those birds - but the picture of the egret and the painted stork was one of a kind! Amazing. Greetings from Sri Lanka!

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  39. Hello, so glad to see you are out taking photos again. The birds and just amazing, stunning photos.
    Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend!

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  40. Fabulous photos! We have been lucky: local birdwatching could continue during lockdown, and we live near a good spot for migrating birds. They are all gone now. You are lucky to have such a wonderful location full of birds.

    be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  41. Shiju, your photographs are wonderful as always! I'm so pleased you are able to be out and about again. I particularly liked the photo of the water hyacinth. It's a fascinating flower! Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party.

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  42. Nice post, I follow your blog # 554 , would you like to follow back?

    https://insandfashion.blogspot.com/

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  43. Hello. Thank you all of these fantastic photos. Awesome birds.

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  44. Oh my goodness! Your photography is amazing. I had to go back and look at the captures again. I am so glad you are able to photograph again. Each and every one piece is like artwork.

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  45. Oh Shuji I am so glad you were able to bird again! And thank you for sharing. All your pictures are outstanding as always . I especially loved the baya weaver series ... that is amazing to see that little bird building that intricate home for the female. And fascinating that once she accepts the nest, she decorates the inside, fascinating. I loved this post.

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  46. I know you are glad to be back at birding. All schedules have been changed, worldwide. Thanks for sharing your photos and linking up.

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  47. Great to be able to get back out again - I know how frustrating it is not to be able to get out to go birding.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  48. These are swell, Shiju. So good to see you got back to birding. I can imagine how much you would have missed these dashing sights.

    We also went into the forests this weekend. Managed to spot the gorgeous white-throated king fisher, Shrike, Indian Pitta (such a beauty), Green pigeons, Fan tail Magpie, and lots of peacocks. Caught sight of a pair of skinks, my younger one saw a Nilgai, and a snake under a rock, forking its tongue.

    I had missed these sights and sounds so much, and it was a blessings.

    Good to have you back with us on #WW

    https://natashamusing.com/2020/06/our-masked-and-unmasked-existences-mondaymusings-pandemicdiaries2020/

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    Replies
    1. Those are fabulous sightings, especially the Indian Pitta.

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  49. I follow you number 555 , would you like to follow back?

    https://fashionisbiglove.blogspot.com/

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  50. I love this post, I follow you on gfc # 556 , follow back?

    https://lovefashionyes.blogspot.com/

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  51. I always enjoy your photos of the various birds, and other aspects of nature. Thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great week, and more chances to get out and photograph.

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  52. Fascinating collection of bird photos. Your birds are so colorful. I am happy for you that you can get out and about now.

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  53. All of these pics are AMAZING! I love the White throated kingfisher and the Red-wattled Lapwing. Keep up the good work.👍

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