I got a day off from work and visited Kaikondrahalli lake on a Friday morning. With lesser crowd than on weekends, I sighted some unusual things. There are lesser number of pics this week due to a distraction (explained in the later part of this post)...
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At the cormorant rookery, I could see several Great Cormorant nests...
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The tree reflections were looking good...
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A Little Grebe was seen ducking for food...
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And so were the Indian Spot-billed ducks. Dabbling and ducking in the hunt for food...
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A Eurasian Coot did catch something to heat...
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Far away from the ducks, a solitary Indian Pond Heron was quite successfully catching unwary fishes from its perch above water...
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Then came the big distraction. I saw a Chequered Keelback snake trying to catch a pair of mating Asian Common Toads...
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The snake bit the foot of the female toad and twisted himself to dislodge the male...
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But, the toad couple didn't panic. They held on. It was impossible for the snake to swallow, if they stick together...
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It was a long cat & mouse game where the snake continued to twirl and twist to dislodge the couple...
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Lovemaking saved the day for the toads. The snake was forced to give up and retreat...
Your trek certainly ended in a dramatic fashion! Delightful pictures once again.
ReplyDeleteSuch a remarkable encounter with the snake and the toads, and you were very fortunate to capture it all. Well done!
ReplyDeleteFortunately, the snake didn't get a chance to eat the toads.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures.
Greetings Irma
That is so amazing. The snake, I thought, would be the winner. Great images.
ReplyDelete(ツ) from Jenn Jilks , ON, Canada!
Oh my gosh! There are two amazing sequences in this post -- you are incredibly talented Shiju. The heron intentlly hunting, diving, and catching was wonderful, but honestly that snake going after (and losing) the frog couple was totally mesmerilzing. Nature is the best show we could have (especially if we have somebody like you documenting it.) Wonderful; thankyou!!! (There's nothing wrong with your duck pictures either -- from me or any normal person those would be perfect pictures. But the rest of yours are better than perfect !! ))
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible "distraction"! Sticking together probably saved their lives. Like something out of National Geographic!
ReplyDeleteShiju,
ReplyDeleteI loved the shots of the keelback hunting the toads. I love reptiles and snakes and this one was a prized one!
Happy global tiger day.
My 14 year old got some fabulous shots of Cormorants nesting on our way to Uttarakhand in the plains. Need to pull those out.
Happy weekend! I'm tempted to head out this week for birding. It's been a while.
https://natashamusing.com/2022/07/ms-hall-a-teacher-par-excellence-natasha-musing/
Great bird photo's and that snake repelled by mating frogs unbelievable. Real wow shots.
ReplyDeleteStay united to survive! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteSplendid collection. I'm not a fan of snakes, but I got so caught up in your story...I just had to know if the frogs were successful at getting away. Applauding excitedly!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that series of photos with the toads and the snake is amazing. I just knew the toads were goners.
ReplyDeleteCormorant nests look wonderful ....
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rude snake!
ReplyDeleteWow! That was a distraction photographed so nicely, and worth the time it took. It's nice to see the toads survived this round. What an experience.
ReplyDeleteYou used your day wisely my friend. Superb story and pictures of snake versus toads. And the story ended on a high. Good stuff.
ReplyDeletelovely Indian Spot-billed ducks.....
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am glad the toads survived, at least for this day they are not food for the snake. Great series of photos. I love the Grebe, Ducks, Coot and the Heron images, wonderful wildlife sightings. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteIn a couple of photos it looks as if there are buildings right by the water, which makes your wildlife sightings even more intriguing. Some time I wish you would post some maps showing your city location and the placement of the lakes in resepect to the city.
ReplyDeleteAs always, you have capteured the wildlife amazlingly.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
...the Indian Spot-billed ducks are my favorites and the snake is not!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you could stay so long for the snake photos. I usually run the other way...well, after maybe ONE photo! lol Love that pond Heron. And those trees with the Cormorants! WOW! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeletePS I like your new banner at the top of your blog! Very artsy and fun!
ReplyDeleteDear Shiju,
ReplyDeleteI notice that I've seen cormorants before, but never cormorant nests. Your picture of it is a great composition. You also managed to take many more wonderful photos again. But your series about the snake and the toads is simply sensational - I think it's also popular with big nature magazines like GEO-Magazine. (I googled the snake and know now it's non-venomous. Good for the toad that was bitten...)
All the best and happy weekend!
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2022/07/mallorca-reisebericht-teil-3-tag-7-bis.html
Wow, the series with the snake and toads is totally amazing and you got to photograph it. Very dramatic series and stunning photography. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for sharing this amazing post.
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful weekend
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I love the Little Grebe.
ReplyDeleteLove the bird life seen. It's wonderful to have a day off work to enjoy nature!! But, I would NEVER stay around to make a chronicle of ANY snake actions! Run away is my motto
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the terrific post this week and sharing
Such professional feathered friend photos ~ favorite is the first one ~ great composition
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful reflection in the water. Great close up of the birds. I never like snakes but it is interesting to note that it decided to give up trying to eat the toad. I would have expected the snake to swallow both of the toad together. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteExcellent images, especially the two frogs, snake could not force love making.
ReplyDeleteThe series with the snake and the toads is completely incredible. Amazing photographs!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/08/magical.html
It was amazing to see that confrontation of the smake with the matig toads. Glad love saved the day for them!. The vaierty of ducks was also interesting to see.
ReplyDeleteWhat brilliant captures and so interesting too 👍
ReplyDeleteHave a reptiletastic week 👍
Those snake vs toads pictures are remarkable - not something you see every day. I remember seeing the ducks when I was on a birding trip near Delhi.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long gap between visits / comments, the last few months have been strange to say the least. Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
wow! brilliant story in photos. happy end for love.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a field day photo catch. And a happy ending for the toads too. Plus, I loved your last post with the beautiful flowers. Sunshine in a field. And your new bird graphic header is really cute. You have such a great blog.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, what an excellent photo serie of the snake and the toads! It pays off to love and make love not war. I loved the green tree reflections as well.
ReplyDeleteAlways love to see the Little Grebe :) And the rest, what an adventure and you got shots! Amazing. I like the last shot. The snake actually looks "happy" I guees it is not toxic as it has circular eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteCormorants, grebes and SNAKES!
ReplyDeleteyes - Tiger Day would have been fabulous.
I do try to keep up the days through the World Wildlife Foundation.
Making love with toads is something else, especially in Queensland and elsewhere in Australia.
Adelaide Dupont @ Halfway up Rysy Peak
yeah for the toads - it pays to stick together - BTW I love your colorful new header
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your images of the trees and their reflection. These must be easier, since they're not moving like animals. Am glad the toad couple put up a resistance!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you're brave Shiju - that snake would have freaked me out and I think I would have been out of there! Nonetheless, your photos are lovely as usual. I featured on at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy - come and see which one I picked this week! :-)
ReplyDeletehi! I put your blog in my blog list (https://sintrabloguecintia.blogspot.com/)
ReplyDeleteWhat a dramatic story with the toads and snake! So enjoyed your photos today!
ReplyDelete