I visited Kaikondrahalli lake after a gap of four months and was treated to some interesting avian spectacles. Here are the pictures...
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First sighting of the day was of this Little Egret striking an elegant pose...
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A Common Sandpiper was in pursuit of a meal along the edge of water...
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A Grey-headed Swamphen gave a spell-binding display of its feathers...
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A Green Sandpiper was seen next...
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A White-throated Kingfisher was ready with his sharp bill for the morning fishing...
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Now it was the turn of the Great Cormorant to strike a pose...
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A Pied Kingfisher sat on a branch, looking down intently to locate an unwary fish...
After locating the fish, he hovered to make a dash...
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Both of us re-focused to get a better shot...
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This time, I got a decent shot but the kingfisher again missed his prey...
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A solitary Black-winged Stilt flew in...
Watching these black-and-white beauties walk with their ballerina gait is most amazing...
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The gracefulness competition had other contenders too. An Indian Spot-billed Duck...
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A juvenile Brahminy Kite joined the party...
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A Grey Heron stood still on one leg. Why do they do that? Well some say, it is to conserve body heat while some suggest that wading birds do it to look less suspicious to aquatic prey...
What a great series of photos of the different species of bird.
ReplyDeleteThe kingfisher is my favorite this time.
Greetings Irma
What can I say. It's just professional work. Well done.
ReplyDeleteSome marvellous reflection shots here to say nothing of the kingfisher sequence.
ReplyDeleteThe Pied Kingfisher is such small kingfisher. It looks so elegant in its black and white tux but I bet it looks like a dart when it hits the water. Great capture of the hunt.
ReplyDeleteAll of these photos are fabulous. Seeing the Stilt reminds me that it won't be too much longer and the Black-necked Stilts that breed here during summer will be returning. I enjoy hearing them calling and seeing those long pink legs dangling as they fly around.
Your post is a wonderful escape from the icy, snowy conditions that we now have. Thank you.
Excellent photography! Well done.
ReplyDeletegorgeous images...each one was a favorite until i viewed the next!! the reflections are spectacular!!!
ReplyDeleteStunning avian scenes. It is like the Grey-headed Swamphen is posing for your camera. Hope the Pied Kingfisher got its fish elsewhere. Beautiful closeup of the juvenile Brahminy Kite and Great Cormorant. Kaikondrahalli lake is definitely worth visiting. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteWonderful action shots of the Kingfisher. My favourite.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Wow, another great collection of birds and photos. I love both of the Kingfishers, amazing captures. All the reflection images are just beautiful. Great post! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteHello,:=) All stupendous images.The Great Cormorant, the juvenile Brahminy Kite, and the Pied Kingfisher shots are some of my favourites, but as I said, your photos are all outstanding.
ReplyDeleteAnd another picture treat for your readers Shiju. Being a wader freak, I am taken by the Green Sandpiper, especially since the species is very difficult to approach here in Lancashire. Great series of Pied Kingfishers too.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing photos, Shiju, but I'm sure you've heard that a million times before. They ARE amazing, and framed so well with their environment. I particularly enjoy the first one of the Black-winged Stilt.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your bird images take my breath away. They are crystal clear with such detail and of course the birds themselves are lovely. A beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThe Kingfisher photos are extraordinary and I love all of the reflections you captured. It sure is nice to go back to a place after a few months and see so much. Amazing photos!
ReplyDeleteStanding on one leg -- I too wonder why birds do it, especially the tall ones that look like they might lose their balance. Heat conservation does seem plausible. Your photo of the bird in that pose is gorgeous!
ReplyDeletebet... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Love the white throated kingfisher, but I probably would not have recognized the black and white one as a king fisher. You have sharp eyes, Shiju. The reflection of the kite is intriguing, and like the tail wagging of the
ReplyDeleteswamphen. Sorry, I didn't mean to miss your (previous) post!
Before I forget (because I replied on my blog to you, so you probably don't know it) you were asking about my technigue of the painting with the fishnets. That was inspired by van Gogh the bigger more squarish light rays instead of his light points.Have a fun birding trip!
Marvelous portraits!
ReplyDeleteA treasure of beauties!! Question:. Have you ever consider publishing a book of your bird photos? You should!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this week at I'd Rather B Birdin'!
Amazing captures all!
ReplyDelete...a fabulous collection and the Black-winged Stilts are ,my favorites!
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulously engaging photos with immense clarity. Agree with Anni, your photos would be great in a book. The Pied Kingfisher's intuitive dance to get a meal and fail reminds me that all are "unwary fish" a slip away from being caught.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful all to them, my favourite is the Pied Kingfisher, what a dreamer.
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous photography of our 'feathered friends' ~ My favorite is the Brahminy ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Many wonderful pictures!
ReplyDeleteHerons are really very elegant birds. I especially like the first photo of the black-winged stilt, the waves look so "striped" :-) The two Great Cormorans in the nest look (at a quick glance) like one two-headed mythical creature ;-) Too bad the beautiful Pied Kingfisher didn't have any luck with his hunting attempts - but you definitely had luck catching some good photo moments.
All the best,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/02/italien-reisebericht-ein-tag-in-florenz.html
Gosh, such stunning photos! I have photographed the same types of Kingfisher here, though of course my photos are nothing like yours! The Grey-headed Swamphen is a new and unusual bird to me. Your shots of the Brahminy Kite are simply incredible.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing all the Birds and your beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing them with us. Have a Blessed week.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always stunning, as is the biodiversity you share. Thanks for joining us this week at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/02/alter-egos.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely selection of photos. I particularly like seeing your beautiful photos of the pied kingfisher, which is a bird I used to see regularly when I lived near Lake Malawi
ReplyDeleteThese are fab as always you never fail to amaze :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a tweettastic week 👍
Your photos are all beautiful but I really love the ones with the perfect reflections.
ReplyDeleteI love the kingfishers - so striking! I also love seeing the reflections of the birds in the water.
ReplyDeleteAs always your photos are wonderful as are your descriptions.
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteI love the kingfishers as they dive head on into the water....Michelle
ReplyDeleteLove that you got back to birding and all these amazing shots! Thank you for sharing Your blog post linked for #LifeThisWeek. I look forward to seeing you again when you next link up! Warm wishes. Denyse.
ReplyDeleteThat was an immensely satisfying visit! What great shots you came away with!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are exceptional and professional and the birds are exquisite. So glad I visited. Thank you.
ReplyDelete2nd from last looks like a painting. Love the reflection. You always find so many to photograph. You must have a great camera and know how to use it as the photos are always amazing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing bird sightings and I really like the stories you tell as well, especially the saga of the Kingfisher -- refocusing and trying again (both of you) -- what a fun true tale, I just loved reading it. We see stilts sometimes here and I agree they are so graceful and elegant -- you capture that so well!! .... Loved them all and also, by the way, I'm quite impressed with the bottle of wine with your own label!!
ReplyDeleteaww..... wonderful photos...
ReplyDeleteexcellent shots
beautiful photos - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAll stunning captures. Loved your story with the pied Kingfisher!
ReplyDeleteMost wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch a treat to see so many birds.
Amazing pics
ReplyDeleteCan’t actually pick a favourite but the black & white kingfisher with spreaded wings was awesome. And the brown kite, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and I like the reflections. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing photographer! I’m saving this post to show to my parents the next time I visit them! They love birds! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGrrrrreat pictures! The reflection shots are super-cool, Shiju. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting caught up with these. It's been a trying time here. Shiju, you are amazing!
ReplyDelete