Bird Stalker-ing at Hoskote

Last weekend, I snuck in a quick birding trip to Hoskote, it was a FEAST for the eyes (and camera!). I captured photos of Jacobin Cuckoo, Zitting Cisticola, pipits, egrets, ibis, sandpipers, and more!

~~~
Face-to-face with a wary Red-wattled lapwing, its eyes fixated on me, the lone intruder disturbing its morning peace. Thankfully, peace wins, it decides against screaming.

~~~
The Egrets and Ibises danced across the blushy dawn, each on a mission to find the best fishing spots.

~~~
Wire-tailed swallows dart and chirp among the power lines.

~~~
An intermediate egret discovered a promising spot for its next meal. 

~~~
Four legs in the shallows? Nope! Just a wood sandpiper's genius camouflage using plant stems. Helps it blend in and nab its next meal. 

~~~
The rhythmic whoosh of glossy ibises in flight filled the air.

~~~
The little egret, too, erupted into the air with a startled cry, its wings beating frantically.

~~~
A pair of Indian spot-billed ducks prepares to take the plunge.

~~~
The marigold farm was a riot of orange, filled with hundreds of blooms, their sweet scent tickling your nose.

~~~
Jacobin cuckoos were everywhere! 

~~~
A paddyfield pipit flitted nervously across the mud.

~~~
More Jacobin cuckoo sighting! And this time, I managed to get some close-up shots.

~~~
Delicate three-toed tracks, like tiny hieroglyphs, dotted the muddy edge of the lake.

~~~
The tranquil vastness of Hoskote.

~~~
It could be a Tree Pipit, but I couldn't see the prominent markings. Perhaps it's a breeding variant?

~~~
Like miniature suns, the yellow marigold blooms radiated warmth and joy.

~~~
A tiny ball of feathers and boundless energy, the Zitting Cisticola zipped from branch to branch, its sharp eyes scanning for insects.

~~~
I hope you enjoyed the post! 

Have you ever been fooled by an animal's disguise?

Share your story in the comments section below.

Exploring the Wonders of Saul Kere

Last weekend, armed with binoculars and camera, I ventured into Saul Kere lake, and let me tell you, it was a bonanza!

Here are the pics.

~~~
The morning mist held magic at Saul Kere. There, perched on a tree, was a Great Cormorant, its dark form stark against the backdrop. You had to squint just so to see the sun peek through the hazy curtain.

~~~
The morning mist slowly unfurled, revealing the sun as a blushing ember through the leaves. 

~~~
A white-throated kingfisher couple took turns to swoop for fishing.

~~~
Amidst the joyful dives of the kingfishers, I spotted an Oriental Darter struggling. Tangled in its beak was a colorful scrap of cloth. Thankfully, it freed itself, but the image lingered. Those tiny bits of trash? Yeah, they're not so tiny to a bird with a beak full of fish! Let's all be responsible, or next time it might be a rogue napkin stealing someone's lunch.

~~~
At a distance, a black-winged stilt's nimble steps and a painted stork's patient probes highlighted their individual feeding styles. 

~~~
The lake teemed with water birds. Among them, the black-winged stilts stood out. As I settled down to observe, their ballet unfolded.

~~~
Indian Pond Heron's sharp reflexes made it a small fry snatching champion.

~~~
While their fishing attempts weren't as frequent as the Heron's, the stilts' graceful movements continued to catch my attention.

~~~
And the grey heron was utilizing its signature "skulking" technique. 

~~~
Painted stork, stilts, and ducks: a diverse fishing team united by their hunger.

~~~
The purple heron had chosen a prime location for its bamboo penthouse.

~~~
A wood sandpiper also marked its presence.

~~~
Catching the stilts in interesting poses is even more delightful when two work together.

~~~
The vibrant blooms of the bougainvillea tree provided a colorful backdrop for the animated gathering of grey herons.

~~~
I also managed to capture a grey heron in flight.

 ~~~
The hilarious poses of stilts.

 ~~~
While the stilts captivated me, a painted stork stole the show with its breathtaking pose.

~~~
A little egret with its catch.

~~~
My focus shifted to a large group of black-winged stilts.

~~~
Nature's classroom in action! A stilt teacher, complete with stern expression, schooled three eager students. One, however, seemed to be taking notes on ditching class.

~~~
A marsh harrier's silent descent sent ripples of terror through the reeds as dozens of garganeys erupted in a cacophony of panicked squawks. And I captured their chaotic flight.

~~~
Meanwhile, a white-throated kingfisher stood at the ready, its gleaming beak poised for action.

~~~
Another show of synchrony by the stilts.

~~~
This lesser whistling duck looked like it could barely keep its eyes open, likely from its nightlong hunting expedition.

 ~~~
If there were a competition for sleepiest birds, the spotted owlets would undoubtedly win.

~~~
This male Asian koel seemed to be strutting his stuff, his flashy feathers suggesting he knew he was the best-dressed bird in the area.

~~~
A green bee-eater catches a bee, while the other ruffles its feathers in jealousy.

~~~
An Alexandrine parakeet perched proudly on a branch.

~~~
The sky was clear, dotted with fluffy white clouds, when I wrapped up the birding session.

~~~
As the day's birding faded into memory, I couldn't help but marvel at the diversity of nature. What aspects of nature inspire you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!