What can you see if you just have an hour to spare before work on a weekday? Well, I decided to try bird watching and see how it goes. So, here are the pics from my trip to Hoskote on a weekday...
I reached Hoskote lake a minute before sunrise. It was quite misty at that time..
There were a large number of barn, wire-tailed and red-rumped swallows congregating on a wire. I shot a video as I waited for the sun to wake up...
Within no time the orange ball was out to make the surroundings look happy...
Now that the light was getting better, I started exporing the area for birds. Soon, I saw a Cattle Egret (Eastern) in breeding adult plumage...
The sun was still photogenic. I took a couple more shots...
At the lake, I saw a pair of Indian Spot-billed Ducks...
I took a few more shots of them floating gracefully in the middle of water hyacinth...
One was seen saying hi to its reflection...
It was time to return and head to work. On the way back I saw a Grey-headed Swamphen (Purple Swamphen)...
Last bird of the day was a Purple Heron...
The weekday birding worked well but unlike weekend birding, there is a hassle of looking at the watch all the time. Overall it was nice, although I had to contend with less sightings than usual. Hope you liked the post. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
The Indian Spot-billed ducks are awesome. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly saw a lot of birds going to work and all great photographs of them. Loved the little video. Fabulous shots of the Spot-billed duck. That is the first one I have even seen and it has beautiful making especially on its bill. Love the breeding Cattle Egret shot and the mist shot are superb especially the first one. Have a lovely weekend and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of the sunrise, a lovely start to your day! The birds are gorgeous, the Spot-billed duck is a beautiful, great capture of the Cattle Egret and Purple Swamphen and Heron. The Grey Babbler looks busy collection twigs for it's nest. Wonderful photos and post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, I appreciate your visit and comments.
Any birding outing, long or short, is an experience to be cherished. I have seen Indian Spot-billed Duck on a few occasions and have always thought it exceptionally handsome, so thanks for rekindling happy memories.
ReplyDelete...I love your misty moments!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Well done.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! If you can already see this in an hour on a weekday, then that is really very beautiful. How lucky that you saw so many beautiful things and that we can enjoy them with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Great ones,
Helma
Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou took sensational photos - of birds and the sun ball - and that in such a short time - great!
ReplyDeleteAll the best from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/04/marillen-erlebnisweg-und-gottweig.html
You sure had good luck with everything you saw! My husband and I both looked at your photos...they are so crisp and sharp! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletenot bad for an hours worth before work. Loved the Spot-billed Ducks :)
ReplyDeleteWow!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a most wonderful series of images shared ...
~Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'
An amazing array of birds for such a short time of birding. The sunrise looked mysterious rising up throught the fog. All so beautifully photographed.
ReplyDeleteSo impressive! Your photography is incredible, such beautiful subjects and gorgeous images! You are very talented. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of the sunrise and the lovelies!
ReplyDeleteStunning photos and I love the sun shots. You live in a beautiful place. Keep safe Diane
ReplyDeleteit was so worth the hour, it looks like the birds and ducks were up early and took the first hour of their day to pose nicely for you!! the sunrise was gorgeous but for me, the Indian Spot-Billed Ducks stole the show. i have never seen this duck and it is quite spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful feathered friends shots (love the duck checking its own reflection and gorgeous sky shots!
ReplyDeleteLiving moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Great photos! I wish I had a slightly longer lens, but I did get some Rainbow Lorikeet photos when they were messing around in my backyard over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow, the Spot-billed Duck pics are super. Too many it might appear to be a boring old Mallard but that bill really makes a difference. Super shots of the Purple Heron too. Early morning birding is definitely the best -beofre there are too many people around.
ReplyDeleteIncredible photography! I especially love the sun shots.
ReplyDeleteI was wowed by the misty lake before the sunrise - incredible.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images Shiju, I love the Indian Spot-billed Ducks.
ReplyDeleteYour time is well spent. Love the misty images. Beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteUnusual birds in your beautiful photos. We have Blue Heron, but I have never seen a Purple Heron.
ReplyDeleteThat is one hour that was very well spent!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Love every one of these photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/04/catbird.html
Wow! What a fantastic morning! Your photos are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love that you've dedicated some time to birding! The photos of the birds are stunning, but those misty shots of Hoskote are wonderful to look at! Well done! :)
ReplyDeleteAm commending you for being so disciplined to go to work after you have seen all these beautiful birds! Beautiful to see the upcoming sun this week. Love the reflection of the duck, and the little branches in the beak of the assertive bird:) Great that at the last moment, the swamphen came into view:) Many thanks for sharing your short birding post with All Seasons. Hope you had a nice workday! Jesh
ReplyDeleteYou always post such beautiful photos 👍
ReplyDeleteHave a tweettastic week 👍😷😷😷
Such beautiful photos of the landscape and your beloved birds. I enjoy seeing some breeds that I am not so familiar with.
ReplyDeleteShiju, that was wonderful early morning birding ... I bet it was hard to leave to get to work on time! The sunrise was beautiful and so were all the birds. The Babbler with the nesting material made me laugh, he looks like he has a moustache!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
How refreshed and ready for work you must feel after that...and those duck photos...wow!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is Interesting. My post will be a continuation of Telling My Story as I am wanting to wrap the series up. It's great to have your blogging support on my link up. Thank you. Denyse
Beautiful sun pictures looks like an orange ball ! I also loved the ducks, my cat didn't want me to look at the birds !!
ReplyDeleteThat mist makes everything so magiccal! You had a wonderful day with wonderful bird photos, wow!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are remarkable. It seemed I could reach out and touch the duck feathers. Also, nice job setting music to the video.
ReplyDeleteSpot billed Duck is such a good looking bird
ReplyDeleteA beautiful collection of captures here - thank you for sharing (and visiting my blog). Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteThat's an epic number of gorgeous birds you found in an hour - and you had the sun on your side too!
ReplyDeleteBravo
Oh wow!!
ReplyDeleteWhat great finds! Another well-spent morning, I say. :)
Beautiful pics. Awesome photography.
ReplyDeleteWow! excellent pictures. I am yet to spot the Large grey babblers. Worth visiting Hoskote lake. Good close up of Spot billed ducks
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo essay!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou got some amazing shots with just an hour to spare!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird photos and I also like the misty morning shots while the sun was rising. Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteYour photographs are breahtaking, Shiju, really beautiful. I think the purple heron is my favourite. He looks so regal. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly got a lot out of your birding trip. Great photos!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Pics, Thanks for joining us in Bloggers Pit Stop - Pit Stop crew
ReplyDeleteStunning photographs of the birds and wonderful sunset. The colours and composition in each photo are fantastic - no small achievement when one is photographing wildlife!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking part in the "My Sunday Best" meme.
PS: I meant sunrise, of course!
ReplyDeleteYou have the most stunning photos Shiju - I always love visiting your site!
ReplyDeleteCongrats - you are one of our Featured Guests at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy! :-)