I had visited Hoskote lake a couple of months back. This post was delayed by too much work and too little free time.
I was taking baby steps towards my recovery from the ankle injury and convinced a long suffering friend to come along.
We set out on a morning that promised picturesque visions of natural beauty. Here are the things we ended up seeing...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_qrHsJc2XdWrLZDapVs4ZcMbNcFRHQEwwoJGT4KH0VY4RLRTBMoZ3f1qJniofn5LiOPh9Qt-qjKJQcVoA2FEQ2Xij0aOKvKadZjsvBQYxSE-9JP-kkmiQrJS9EPIez1O4tV6cSrlHKC9T3jEKxr8_B1qbYQ-OaOPTO8gkITy27MVcY8FMDo/s16000/collage-hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore1.jpg)
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A Cattle egret was taking long strides to disturb and catch the insects in the freshly tilled soil...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0NdnQg6oAuWtdmG_QdYUp-6rDPQ_t0Di_MqHb-momNRjQG0GG6d6sMwgUYdP7BbLO4hKEneLnxM158g9wWcKpFz-0AcfbRsly9nB0lAow_rZ_gxND-yrfV4DepiA4bg179sXcjR0uwa-jhOnqSyB_DPkj7C-RlLGvjufH-hpSq_EB4B4iNw/s16000/Cattle%20Egret%202%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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Saw a White-browed Wagtail in the chrysanthemum field...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd0ALdq7u4i3i8eXzO3bTVF1PHvTXXhfEICxTt2pPwR_DbjXqey5Pf_7cf1oDrfQhszKzdiX0usK3uL8v6pHYT6hebpdxWdVxnFg8DAiuo6vr0-eJETzbzKj_SqSD65dfznG9OQU-8Ss2xd5cyALjJcaRPeqeQLiAUVMS59VDxOz25jzCgFI/s16000/White-browed%20Wagtail%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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The view of the chrysanthemum farm was charming...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGtVTA0xm9qjfBR-j7q4cbnGmpmeu-FhUKR0GSNn2ra_bW7t98H-OrCcKMErqmf1BbbVPOqsh3AHRfLOZLoGnKVRW3T6izNg4zbwu8tRhKpWTo2bBdhqTyb9VxOMZKU1TkQvGSUspjcnkPViYNngRc9pa7Zb16_NRZPeXlv-ipHn2podlBdA/s16000/chrysanthemum%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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Here's a closeup of the splendid bloom...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UXz-_SpKoOsaTO-l0RtWqZAsUYE5dJ2YSIl_-UFMknv2kbG0o6oTbWNwO7MAZI7MyZlqEx4qMuCG0uMNl_yp-aG-JcMsJnUzZki0vrwM5z56lSymUpNHvZswYtIR-20VQ-Lqwri9lVWYCz42w_oQmXd6YHACe2cv9fZ7Ott2OC58SS-Scmc/s16000/chrysanthemum%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A Richard's Pipit was spotted next...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYYYG5895gKGLAmbX4zjlBCxGegZ6GR_3yyZu31tBQ_ZJufnXP_IJLvP4vOYbm1suvncwIAqvLBcQIDuhFamlfh-hvR04KDVuIpnHCmsDiKucF4mgqPMcQ992cKOMYB_uuxfPFp7FCfrl9841iW-iSueAK8RDfFRrfA2LZJgfqAGy3J7Ce1E/s16000/Richard's%20Pipit%202%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmk5EyaevQ8s4RdOXeyC7Ipuc9D-0I5xEJffhp3DwrjK03_mi9DgDFGn3c2BKyFHtS7YCbgtlXRsgI3Z1ek1XdQgYSpnMo3J51Oq7wkwgrYEOR7iU-Bk9gTJX0118Y1nCF3W8mE26DCPAkstCayaCDLeiWi7aI_KI7_01JJtCYAahuviOGA4/s16000/Richard's-Pipit%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGOb_Y_rptzyiSekrev6zg3wTS69n0cMuACK1o61sVKqhruchZW96W9tpamtndfq_f33TaCDNqQBCKyecX2_YOL_7fJugbeCDBarIIfp3p0vl6xE8gAiEm5bWmyhACUGmIK3iMflHekMDbYLb8GiLHoLDUKkddFTqOiiPqDJsVuxKrrOE1z8/s16000/Richard's-Pipit-1%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A Large Grey Babbler with its bright yellow eyes rewarded our efforts...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW69ricy7o4DQX1dnoFSqx9nXh5t3ohK6J1Tom9wtq6iRCYiOsWpECnDSaVXwUHXT4ZKKoKtr5ocKnczGbIT4u2xUC8z5xPL0H9sfkieHT-J-4oERiDrjbt1o7Uz-0mdBHc4-nD5wdAg1OkIXa4-Pq35VdKQ0PDQsoqcfPnheUb0m9bjO1bwM/s16000/Large%20Grey%20Babbler%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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We saw an Oriental Darter(snake bird) sitting near the water's edge...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GEVU999x6dZreP6ulmXjyOl2rDM-1yDTzdALUG5RmKGgJEpEDRF-MU7weVdsfXwUNM8KSoxFKmCrUYc99yQmJiNY_n-TFwMbtZ4o8cZuu-CzZpWlXJvAjm94DLL9mqdC1TdeDsFgQIWBUtj_UAza_tZJcwhARZw5wpDeJwiCSRYKYjKHdtg/s16000/Oriental%20Darter%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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It flew off in its typical flight...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcOMtvMBgGr5cs_ZLfEd-fHy6facakrehpBavQGZBVILi7XRnfEwummYPy16lUVTVtg8aujLKC66ahj1cWGlK06nBB_Y789U5NKXGxXR9k3l-b0MOLNTsGe-RzOmRjskq4MzehwPkAEwlDt8YrlU982FmKvwqJRHjiAgw0iJGy_m2Ax_a6kQ/s16000/Oriental%20Darter%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A solitary Little egret woke to life's realities and was seen trying to earn his bread fish...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9EvlocsjsmAdeNFcs8Pcwqem4EPKSJ2Ka7uahPt4E708mTL3ean9vJgSrun2brd2tWevYv0YlYF7udvf3uWHV06eKNP5VfIMZmr9U1muDjJxzjJAtRJWs09A9J-aMURqqNy6aRMIqlCdX1m99cUK7fTbDQ6XyIrmhFWDXCYZ9vHmCFIpUlU/s16000/Little%20Egret%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqGGEgPFn_mA0Db3r3CzBoNGMscwHy8uabvA2Eio0Hzctd2RAwici2Ql5l_-0P_c_vNO7jipkIZh2jzzDSL4kQEIrFzTMqjU6bzlReRwihaJ_aEsv6xlyHHIVlxc2OtqDjPwzwAn3SrpU0BWoHMmWwSJp9oXi1IOS-_mZ4VoW0f9wZK0akJM/s16000/Little%20Egret%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3ETrShPS7Z8vDW8zUVQjHsMbzRP63MMPHP6nD3HYXZA_IGD6FerkaUXvS2-2InPKm9ZHfYqdj_oARzWeAYvi-u8pr39nhnsTWokPSAsHiXolzLf5zUn3lx6lA-Ea_Ovmpy3JCpFElIhMBnrtH896_CRct73Wom3HauMl3Ieby2PA99oS6Q0/s16000/Little%20Egret%202%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A male Purple sunbird gave a fleeting glimpse of his beauty and vanished...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLZvbi9eWJ5INo9cub6Bq9Ns4kGb8rMR-wh4P3yBh7AyR-MM3zROQtuOxbjMUSqRkzYvg-DJujs9BXfFkUs_Skhs6FbNKnQs77ckfgKped9ou2O9joFH2XINR-BFGCfy2JG5TNeFyByWR2n-dMhpJA-ruGrFsKiuV_eAxmfy6JI-suFh9Sr8/s16000/Purple%20sunbird%20male%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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No trip to Hoskote is complete without the sighting of a Paddyfield Pipit, the most common and plucky bird...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToMeS3v3ocIfBUVicrcn6WplVJjXBloaYJtdoqbaYCoxKdpbsc2RIrqI8ttSny7vNFrwrqARulqWk6lNNRbBU7lCPDRM3eRcks8DOJXKDdFaLweNt3OJtCdWTiEgaxcdZdR7uvVuKu64G2yfSlFSzxrk2RQiYsW44Jj4QtJOFQegTQEx0ZAY/s16000/Paddyfield%20Pipit%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEGShcYdHgyhwJRhUtH_N7f5ERlwVnbPR0SNFxKQdUwaFF0S9UyxlY3n_VEMEiTVjUK6If1_Y_3jHDCubD3PlvR7pyUpJO7qvpDEHAFeUsK71ot_b10EdOYrigupPGtz8ZeVPZbXciuGxufo1a6_jMoxkw_6NgzgBS8CaWInavfNWCnOLM0c/s16000/Paddyfield%20Pipit%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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Two female Red Avadavats were seen next...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pTq6JdJOlHdCEfAdmf9xFAFiEHZbsyCGjhs4TsAVCcdK2I6zjauQwjt9VfM5GUlNZIC5N_iwP-PZbRzAAyhCeXDvx0vqiZJUSrGgJU6IaHD5k7TP4RNaSyhXPfPLN9gmP4qYQ6T4qEmUp_JSivt-vdK1ygQ5SKhi6ZBnqH311LkkAIU5sxA/s16000/Red%20Avadavat%20female%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6PaK-HwKz2cSTfbCK1qCChq9bVq6gciZOt0hWiraZzPKAkcG6cWlTTQ8Tc901RYTa1Kfbh_6yhTxKwaLNXTCpCgHArAm-m72ZQRjtsGwJmMxt2KeGXSNRl9sipssARWkFuOaAV1JN_iCWIxjYWayrHQ2T2XU7Smu1ZgK7-KDTMSx21mis5o/s16000/Red%20Avadavat%20female%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A male Pied Bushchat...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLnN9vh6jrNM9S9wEglRFGC1RSLJE4j92lU8X_-QXAd9MiFyugT8BaInpXd2XOvu11u1ybWoPpcHCrH0ret_nsxP8OF5Gg9FhE4dRcDUacDbemP2tHRswfvWm1e4TbZ2ShGb8uVojCDatQpejoaKHfQNnRW-aA7ayd3Hz_zy3fcyuUbBXVXc/s16000/Pied%20Bushchat%20male%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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Some dragonflies were active. Here's a Ruddy Marsh Skimmer - male...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGOtWUCE1E6eVbjfxrXNQGNWwJvYgkKfEm2-nf6LNdOWpjCC9_EH_bNwCQrJf6jvlmzNbIWDcll_EGNqoulXWAk4VfLRzCJ-Aq0jhSHT1khjxsJnpuzm2JV8zbOsp8qdKTsCQM97wezkZckZ8YyIJCjDRkhU51_6HfSNwpMqLgWV80vxumys/s16000/red%20veined%20darter%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A female Globe Skimmer dragonfly...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJbdm6JXHAlrpWildkkrnQ_K2q5WMrNP7uVuyt-oIEmfS_Ct11Crk1dzboY61oKp4g2MFIo86OrL-L0RSQt2GB2utpoM92KoikLlg_eEeN9DZmAypNdSmtnSKh8uG9WuKf9qBDOeI6PjG-gbksSRtONwUcI1-VWvEgqoUWEP8GT_rH4YAENI/s16000/Globe%20Skimmer%20dragonfly%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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The tiny Zitting Cisticola gave some pretty poses...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfVX4KDkF3CkiTK-Pc0bIU9V1jaxruTUR0Tf1wug0CWO9Ra9R_NtDT6ETA9vw5Gd0MKbJLyn4Cieh8HybFVIUKlWNi4AWBh731R7otSCL63235cYZSrs88DuGPgbbNWkL3sKqNJNLIAZ9gPRq9RqtlUo963ALdRJXp5Fu1Fn58wcUqjVfegw/s16000/Zitting%20Cisticola%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNDCKIERLVBZtzJXfrCEbywHXO7SMwYg1sba0jIo-kALj6Q8yjGSWHRTwe5ps6yYgn2XtZNNM7XCre7VU72VgpzraV9VNrYdR0EeM31iHsD68yW0Czx_UFMc7sQ2NSCJne_Aw6TSQ2EXtPpPp2BE4JBTx4aLXP0sDf1JDIMgw28deLJhAfP8/s16000/Zitting%20Cisticola%202%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHSGB5vakaFymg9RkPTToHzXWtBB20oqRJThy--HJWo8bXra_EBv7NHqQcw5Ry13O-6CtADlnpG6ar4B4U8PNPfJ_vcGfNLzapld24qJDhLUufR0nIuvF-2umY8wYKiR9SznDjXeP8hDzStj6eOHz1MlKjjXdIwDV2EBMVyidoYnM1M0CsoE/s16000/Zitting%20Cisticola%203%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDwcd4wMr8dNMuOmtqyWJNW27IHWQfexCnZ40-guAKHsR9LWHuxchHaAVQ7MH-89vV9Ht5sE2rLr6SkDF3mpt504qScXK6obVhR0q4U9wXuzLuLhRK1z0Tmfoc8d-BjoEHtvKW3hk4tXm-_2QqwcyY6fLdCDgY9lZ7kAyOVmmxXltTwbviGc/s16000/Zitting%20Cisticola%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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A team of Cattle egrets in breeding plumage was seen next...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdNZb6VNWoy50s_II-ZP1ZSvqyJP9A39RjPhKHxatGyd53RRWIo4lGGcJIHmtCvxe8X-FPkR5iqy2enfvQFlurhFMqlWg9tdP3sqtA3WWkMjcN4bxxhrilGthSAc_XFxeCo_l5i6s1JM_E3czKgjqcKGH7WJV364hSmAQZFg1U7_pupF_Vmw/s16000/Cattle%20Egret%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjku-yrTKr-NTwiAD4c3Tfn-doYAU6dsqJIVhUt-0BfT0_8g-fa_ARiJjBmSFABkGJ5lBWOoyfoyz7dx871WSoFHKOo6jRJnvfOAXfO72qFu7ZQSi0Lz1UFCtvwlYrhicTSH9w3iFDsTWAQsGT7jC-5mcHUc11TnKN7EaGpW9O3qr70Hm2oXXo/s16000/Cattle%20Egret%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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On the return walk, we were treated to the spectacle of a Purple-rumped Sunbird nectaring on Canna flowers...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9fdO92MdI7mqDwtd80jcfYV6F-qMUlHbJi1Q_w_fW8xB5p1pGIuIFsmrC2287h4tespYH0UKLCDg9NNpMvXinOfXiz5-WMP8-SZbolqkCpwmcMDmpiYiFVEPt-8PiOkqP6398rUVdBQfxBxBsNdDz425iIZivxknfEjaAGnYmzfpRBgQBAU/s16000/Purple-rumped%20Sunbird%20male%201%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsC8ztgpJ-mhU-e6SCrQ_Vb3OyADwF7KI3iHpsfk2It0vjWzra4iGCuc5xfY-kV7Qlu6iXkungH1TfyqyTlbvvsIWczGQgd3rOBLe4p-N4kWht9TebrlBYrJJqId52hLpxvVzUOK5lcxlxkybFOCKZCPrFE-0saohpfX3eald6Zcgoe_8oXqM/s16000/Purple-rumped%20Sunbird%20male%202%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid066aUVRptxpkn0O2RB1OYsn5KJoqjq-glcaHQT7hiXK1TQaypeXu_lSHkkyP6kurYBTj-WZmgTL6gdute8YpnbWkfDdvnLJqoAa01vItUzQZSx8-ZN-9ou1Z2Groy3qUMl8O2Rzc46vfPHl7_v1qP7UUOK_n48ynHKtfrDMShaJ7I2UKogg/s16000/Purple-rumped%20Sunbird%20male%20hoskote-lake-birds-shiju-sugunan-craniumbolts-birdwatching-birding-travel-photoblog-wildlife-trek-blogger-photography-bangalore.jpg)
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Overall it was a pretty satisfying birding trip. Hope you liked the post. Do post your thoughts in the comments section below...