Cranium Bolts: June 2021

Saturday, June 26, 2021

Hoskote Happenings

Birding was very enjoyable as usual at Hoskote lake. Here's what I saw...

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I started by watching a Grey Heron fly by in its graceful way...

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A Pied kingfisher appeared, hovering over the water...

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It is amazing how it keeps its head steady to locate the prey. I combined 3 pics to make a GIF animation to show the hovering...

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Black-winged stilts were quite active, some went about their business, while some swooped around...

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It was nice to spot a Eurasian Spoonbill and a Spot-billed Pelican together in one frame...

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I watched a Red-vented Bulbul busy preening and in between watching me...

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I saw a bird similar to Large grey babbler but with greenish eyes instead of the yellow ones. I presume, it's a juvenile...

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An Indian Silverbill was flitting around...

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My visit was a bit early for many butterflies, but was happy to see a couple of early risers. A Crimson rose butterfly was fluttering around taking nectar...

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I noticed a Pioneer butterfly too...

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Last sighting of the day was a Red-wattled Lapwing...

Thus ended another satisfying visit to Hoskote lake. Hope you liked the post. I look forward to your comments.

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Friday, June 18, 2021

A brief visit to Kasavanahalli

I made a brief visit to Kasavanahalli lake. Usually I make at least one birding trip to this lake every year. This was the first one since Nov 2019. Here are the pics...

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There was no forecast of rain even though it was cloudy. My only concern was the struggle with low light photography...

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There was no trace of any bird at 6:30 AM. All seemed asleep. Then, suddenly a Grey-headed Swamphen was spotted on the mud path I was walking on. It led me towards the ramp that bifurcates the lake...

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I saw another Grey-headed Swamphen, that seemed to have pulled out an unexpected extra long root while foraging in the swamp. He looked confused...

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A Little Cormorant was drying itself after a dip...

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At the waterlily area, I could see scattered blooms...

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I decided to observe the waterlily blooms until sun and birds showed up. Here are my silly observations of waterlily settlements. I compared it to human settlements and found some similarity. There was a small family of mom, dad and a kid...

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Some living in diverse neighborhood. A bit chaotic but co-existing...

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Then there were also gated communities who were happy among themselves...

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And there were many loners who only have their own reflections as a companions...

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As the light improved, I could hear the unmissable loud calls of Rose-ringed Parakeets. I clicked a pic when the fast flying bird perched on a tree for a snack...

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A Spotted Dove puffed out its feather to keep warm...

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A Eurasian Coot was seen near a waterlily bloom. Looked like it was trying to clean up the surroundings near the lily...

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The coot was seen removing dead weeds and other solid stuff near the lily...

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I liked the yellow tail of this Rose-ringed Parakeet...

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A Little Egret caught a fish...

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Now the sun was out so were the sunbirds and other small birds. I walked towards the ramp that bifurcates the lake to catch them...

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The flowers on the path...

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The ramp is the most beautiful part of the lake. It is a nice spot with cooling shade provided by the canopy of the Singapore cherry trees. I shot this small video to capture the ambience and bird calls...