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A show of feathers

I am resuming birding and blogging after a Covid break. Yes, I got infected in the second wave. May was a nasty month that started with wife getting infected and then all of us, including my two kids and parents.
All have recovered well with timely medical interventions at home.
This week, I visited Hoskote lake after I got better. Here are the pics...
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Monsoon is round the corner, and the sky will be dramatic for the next month or two...
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Saw a couple of Asian Openbill stork fishing in tandem...

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An Indian Pond heron was also watchful for any approaching fish...


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A bird flew as I approached for a closer look. It was probably a babbler. I was happy to capture the beautiful feathers. As you will see in the post, this was a prelude to many more show of feathers...

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A Plain Prinia appeared next to give me a closer view...
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Next I saw a bee-eater. Its look confused me. Probably it's a juvenile Chestnut-headed Bee-eater with a hint of chestnut head or it can be a Little bee eater...
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But there is no confusion of it being a bee-eater...
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There is an active Baya Weaver nesting colony on a tree...
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The male Baya weavers were racing against time to complete building nests before the onset of monsoon rains...
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I observed the frenzied nest building from a respectful distance...
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Notice the feather show...

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Female Baya weaver was also out there to inspect the completed nests...

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A completed nest...
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A female Baya weaver works on building the interiors of the selected nest. Here she comes with a feather to make, perhaps a comfortable bed for the chicks. Notice the feather show...
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An Indian Roller was seen sitting on a wire...
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As I was thinking about its blue plumes, it decided to do a show of feathers... 
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A Cinereous Tit  was the next participant in the show of feathers...
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As if taking a cue from the birds, the Plain tiger butterfly also gave a lovely view of its wings... 


It was nice to return to the bird/nature outing after a crazy gap. Hope you liked the post. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments section below...
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55 comments:

  1. What great photos those are.
    I enjoyed it.
    Very sorry that you got infected with covid 19.
    I hope you feel better now.
    I wish you a very nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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  2. Hello,
    I am sorry you and your family were infected with Covid, it is great you are all recovered and feeling good.
    Getting outside in nature helps to relieve the stress. Your photos are always amazing, beautiful birds. I love the series on the Weaver and it's nest. The Stork, Heron, Bee-eater and the Indian Roller are some of my favorites. I would love to see them all. Great collection of photos and post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a great day and a happy weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  3. Awesome! The blue colour of the Indian Roller is splendid.

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  4. So glad you all are ok now. Missed seeing your wonderful pictures. Such colorful birds and interesting nests. Thank you.

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  5. I am glad to hear that you and your family survived the covid. It is good that you can finally get out into nature which is most helpful in healing. Your photography is exquisite. You have so many subjects to explore. The weaver bird nests are most interesting. The skill to weave such a nest is phenomenal.

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  6. I'm so pleased to hear that you and your family recovered well from the virus. It must have been a worrying time, especially for your older parents. You are back on top form now with your usual brilliant photos. The prinia is wonderful. And thanks for showing us the skills of the weaver birds.

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  7. Every week when you did not post photos I worried that you were infected. It’s good to hear that although you were, you and your family are now recovered.

    BEAUTIFUL photos. I love the nesting birds and the bee-eater.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  8. ...you captured some gorgeous feathers! Seeing their stretched out is a treat. The Indian Roller is a treat!

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  9. Hi Shiju. Beautiful photos of beautiful birds. Have a nice weekend.

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  10. So pleased to hear that you are all better now, and that you are bale to get out. Even better is to be able to share these amazing pictures with us. They are all stunning, and thank you for sharing.

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  11. Oh so glad you and your family are better ~ Awesome feathered friends photography ~ love the nests they build ~ Xo
    Happy Weekend to you and good health ~

    Living moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. Glad to hear that you and your family have recovered from covid. Your bird photos are amazing and the shou of feathers is absolutely beautiful. Great photography!

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  13. I am so glad you are all feeling better. I've heard from others that it is the worst sick you'll ever be. I'm so sorry to hear you all got it. It's been really bad in our community but better now that we have so many vaccinated. I always love your photos and my husband and I both look at them. Take care of yourself as you gain your strength. Your friend, Diane

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    Replies
    1. It seems like a designed virus. The life threatening symptoms are disguised and appears after the virus leaves in 5 days. It will only be known through blood tests at the right time and if not intervened by right dosage steroids or blood thinners, you are doomed.

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  14. Amazing captures as always! Take care. Stay strong, stay safe.

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  15. Sorry to hear you and your family got COVID but glad to hear you have recovered. Amazing array of images. Really like this selection. Makes me want to photograph some birds. #MySundayPhoto

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  16. Absolutely stunning, you shot excellently, I love the Asian Openbill, Bee-eater, Heron, but there were so many.

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  17. Great news that you have all recovered from COVID. The news out of India is pretty dire these days. As always, impressive images of your birds. Wish I had been with you!

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  18. I thought of you and your family during this covid outbreak. And, I'm so happy to read your post about the recovery!!
    As always your photos are exceptional. Each and all beautiful.
    Thanks for lending the link to this post for us all at IRBB this weekend.

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  19. the beautiful bird building a nest is amazing

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  20. I am glad you and your family are feeling better now. How rotten.
    Gorgeous photos and what an amazing collection of bird photos. The blue one really does stand out. Beautiful x

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  21. Asian Openbill stork, makes you wonder how that shape of the bill happened? Don´t remember ever een any bill whith that sahpe. Interesting!
    Lovely series of shots of the Baya Weavers. So wonderful o be able to see them work like this. I´m glad they finished the nest :) Maybe you will find some young later on. :)

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  22. Leaves me speechless viewing all your gorgeous and interesting photos. The Indian Roller is so vibrant when flying. I am so glad you and your family are much better now. I've had both my shots, but I still feel like a hermit stuck mostly at home these days, as the disease is still out there.

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  23. So sorry to hear that you were sick!

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  24. WOW. Beautiful collection of bird photos.

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  25. So sorry you got sick, but glad you are recovering now! A few weeks ago I gave up All Seasons to have more time for a new series of paintings and wanting to learn pottery, and have given it over to Lydia Lee, whose url is (one word) pandora and max at blogspot (.) com. Meanwhile this weekend, I have problems on my own blog, my administrator's (edit) side is and remains blank, so I am thinking on deleting my blog and starting a new one with another name of course. When I am done, I'll contact you. Glad you're back on the birds trails, with stunning captures!

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  26. Hi Shiju, Wow, you are the kind of birder/photographer that inspires me. Wonderful photos/Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your blog and for your kind comment on mine. Best regards to you from Seattle! John

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  27. Your bird photos are simply exquisite! What a thrill to look through them. Those nests are incredible works of art. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

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  28. I'm so sorry that you and your family got Covid but happy that you were able to make a full recovery. Your photos are simply stunning as always. Hope you have a wonderful new week.

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  29. Glad that you and family have recovered fully. You take great photos. Stunning sky shot. The male birds are great nest builders. Some of the birds have nice attractive colours. Have a great week.

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  30. The weavers fascinate me!
    I am so sorry to hear that your family got covid. I know your region has been hit hard, and I will continue to pray for your part of the world.
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2021/06/woodpeckers-visit.html

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  31. Stunning photos - as always. We get bee-eaters here too but I of course have never managed such a wonderful photo.
    Glad you and your family are all feeling better.

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  32. I can always look forward to beautiful photos when I visit your blog.

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  33. Sorry to hear about you and your family good to hear your now much better :-)

    Beautiful photos and fab close ups :-)

    Have a tweettastic week 👍

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  34. Beautiful collection of photos x #mysundayphoto

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  35. I love these photos! You got some great shots. You're welcome to link up on my blog hop! It's just gone live. My pics of the mousebirds in the garden are very humble (on Amanda's Books and More) but I got some good seagull shots as they were feasting on mussels (on 1camera1mom). Have a great day!

    Amanda's Books and More with Linky: https://abooksandmore.blogspot.com/2021/06/mousebirds-and-linky.html

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  36. Oh, and I'm so sorry that you guys had to go through that with COVID. How awful! I'm glad that you all recovered well.

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  37. Fabulous bird photos. Great photography. I love that hanging nest. So sorry to hear you and your family got Covid, but very glad you have all recovered. Stay well, safe, and happy photographing. And thankyou for stopping by my blog this week.

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  38. Oh Shiju, I had not realised that you all had Covid...Oh my goodness. I am glad to read of recoveries though. Take it easy and enjoy the parts of life you love the most. Hope your family stays well. My husband and I are getting our 2nd vaccines this week. Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. It’s a great community that I enjoy hosting and your posts help make this so! Next week the optional prompt is 24/51 Nourish. 14 June. See you then I hope. Denyse

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  39. Simply stunning pictures, I'm in awe. Great to know you are all on the mend.

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  40. Gorgeous photos. Hope you and the family make a full recovery

    Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto

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  41. Your photography is most stunning. Wow.

    I'm happy that you and your family are better now. A difficult time for many.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  42. Wow! Amazing photos! This is my first time here and I loved the beautiful captures. I can't pick a favorite. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous pictures. Glad to know that you and family recovered from the covid hit. Stay safe!

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  43. These are all beautiful photos. I am glad you and your family are all now recovered from Covid.

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  44. Your photos are simply stunning. I have noticed some very different birds hanging around our yard lately. I love watching them. I am grateful you and yours are all getting better. PLease take care. Thank you for oyur wonderful shares today.

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  45. So glad you have all recovered. You are doing the best thing and that is getting out in the fresh air bird watching.

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  46. Oh, how bad that you and all your family were sick with Covid. I am happy that you are healthy again - and I very much hope that the rest of your family has recovered well!
    I'm always thrilled by your brilliant photos - all the birds in their blaze of color and captured so close by you - great! And all the photos of the birds in motion are in a class of their own. Really TOP!
    All the best!
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/06/nexinger-schweiz-muschelberg-und.html

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  47. Shiju, I am so sorry to hear you and your family were infected in the second wave. I am so pleased to read that you have recovered and are out and about again. Your photographs are wonderful. I was fascinated by the Baya Weaver birds and their nests. What amazing creatures! Thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. Take care.

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  48. I am so glad that you and your family has recovered from Covid.
    Such breathtaking shots of birds. Crystal clear, amazing.

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  49. Gorgeous photos. Glad you are all fully recovered. That must have been very scary.

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  50. I love watching birds hunt but that dragonfly catch belongs in National Geographic or a nature magazine. All the photos are outstanding -- that one is spectacular.

    You must have all felt terribly frightened to have your family ill with Covid. I'm grateful you are back in health and I hope you have no lingering effects.

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  51. These photos are so beautiful, creative, amazing. Wonderful diversity of creation. I am so happy that you and your family have all recovered. I want to feature this post in the next blogger's Pit Stop.
    Kathleen

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  52. Wow! wow! wow!!
    That IS quite a show of feathers and thank you for bringing this show to us. Awesome photography!!

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