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!

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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.

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

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

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

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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. 

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

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

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

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

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Jacobin cuckoos were everywhere! 

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A paddyfield pipit flitted nervously across the mud.

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

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

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The tranquil vastness of Hoskote.

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

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

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

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I hope you enjoyed the post! 

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

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