Wings & Whimsy

 Saul Kere is a magical realm where wings and whimsy collide, offering birding thrills beyond compare.  Last Sunday's short birding expedition was one such unforgettable experience. Here are the pics.

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I arrived at the lake a bit late, and the sun was already shining brightly. There was more water in the lake than usual from the recent monsoon rains. However, what concerned me was the continuous increase in buildings surrounding the lake.

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An Indian cormorant takes flight in search of better fishing grounds.

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A Eurasian Coot was actively moving about.

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Gracefully, a purple heron soared through the air.

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Perched on a wire, a Pied Bushchat calmly observed its surroundings.

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Deep in thought, the scaly-breasted munia pondered its next move on the slim branch.

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Oriental darters were seen drying their wings after a successful fishing session. The morning light painted a picture of beauty as the delicate shapes and shades of their wings stood out.

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A little egret was busily fishing.

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Indian Spot-billed ducks were seen preening. The calm waters provided the perfect backdrop for their self-care routine, as they maintained their glossy plumage.

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A little grebe, also known as a dabchick, was spotted gliding gracefully on the water's surface.

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Little grebes are known for their skittish behavior, swiftly diving underwater at the slightest indication of danger. They possess remarkable speed, which explains why their scientific name, Tachybaptus ruficollis, is derived from the Greek words "takhos" meaning fast and "bapto" meaning sink. 

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See there, a group of young little grebes.

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I witnessed the heartwarming sight of a mother Indian Spot-billed duck transporting her charming brood of four ducklings. They stick together in the most adorable way possible.

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A fellow birder kindly shared directions to a location where she spotted a couple of Spotted Owlets. I rush to see those creatures. 

It was a bit of a challenge to locate the well-camouflaged tiny owlets, but after some effort, I finally caught a glimpse of one of them.

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I focused my lens and zoomed in to closely observe the owlet.

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Nearby, on these dead tree branches, a Black-rumped Flameback woodpecker was quite active, much like during its nesting days.

Initially, all I could see was a fleeting glimpse of the Black-rumped Flameback, but to my delight, it suddenly emerged into full view. This unexpected moment presented me with the perfect chance to capture some closeup shots.

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An Indian pond heron gracefully glided in and settled on a perch.

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An Asian Green Bee-eater skillfully captured a colorful insect.

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Couple of minutes later, the Bee-eater skillfully snatched another bee, giving the impression that it was as hungry as I felt. 

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As I considered heading home for breakfast, the sight of the other half of the spotted owlet pair filled me with joy, leaving me eager to continue observing their charming interactions.

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At 9:30 am, I called it a morning and concluded my brief trip. I hope you liked this shorter post. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Linked with Mosaic Monday