Jigsaw Birding in Hoskote

Last weekend's birding trip to Hoskote was a unique experience, to say the least. It had rained heavily the night before and during the day, which left everything damp and lush. While this made it more challenging to spot birds, it also created a beautiful and atmospheric setting. 

Birding was like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces are all there, but they're hidden in the trees and shrubs. Still, the challenge was part of the fun, and it was rewarding to spot a few birds.

Here are some photos from the trip.

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Large grey babblers were the easy pieces of my birding trip to Hoskote. They were all over the place, hopping around on the ground and foraging for food. This one in particular caught my eye. It was holding something interesting in its beak.

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The birding path was dotted with puddles from the rain. 

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The sky was becoming interesting. The heavy rain clouds of the morning had given way to wispy cirrus clouds and puffy cumulus clouds.

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Far away atop a peepal tree sat a migrant chestnut-tailed starling. It was too far for my lens to get a clear shot.

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A juvenile long-tailed shrike was also seen at a distance. It was perched on a pole, surveying its surroundings with its sharp eyes.

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A raindrop-kissed pink and yellow flower was basking in the morning sun.

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A dazzling peacock pansy butterfly sat perched on a leaf, its wings spread wide. See the pattern on its lower wings resembling a snake's head, and it emits a hissing sound! How cool is the defence mechanism against predators?

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The moon, was still softly glowing in the morning sky.

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Blue sky with white clouds reflected in the calm water.

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A white-throated kingfisher, laser-focused on its prey.

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Then surveying its domain from a new vantage point.

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Two birds are engaged in a territorial dispute. The Grey-headed swamphen has its wings raised, while the Bronze-winged jacana has its feathers ruffled and its head lowered. One is trying to drive the other out of its territory. 

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A Brown shrike landed on a branch, clutching a katydid in its beak. I struggled to capture a clear photo, but I managed to snap these.

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A cyclist, pedaling through the picturesque trail.

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A Large grey babbler, perched on a branch, its piercing yellow eyes surveying its domain.

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The white throated kingfisher was still zipping around in search of food.

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A purple sunbird hops from branch to branch.

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A little egret, a silent sentinel of the marsh, poised to strike.

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I was glad to take a picture of a gray heron and a purple heron, two tall and elegant birds of the wetland, together.

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Purple herons, winged ballerina of the sky, dance through the air with effortless grace.

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The last sighting of the day was a cattle egret.

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Linked with Mosaic Monday