Early Bird Magic at Hoskote Lake

Another short trip to Hoskote Lake in the early morning to capture the sunrise and photograph the birds. Here are the pics.

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The sunrise was spectacular, but it's the silhouette shots I'm most excited about!

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The first birds bathed in the morning glow were these rosy starlings.

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A large grey babbler with its eyes alight, arrived with a beakful of nesting treasures.

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Soon, its partner arrived, also carrying nesting materials. 

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A red-whiskered bulbul perched beautifully on a branch.

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A white-browed bulbul too was seen nearby.

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I got a glimpse of a male Asian koel.

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The clear melody of an oriental magpie robin filled the air as it perched on a high branch.

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An even higher perch was claimed by a coppersmith barbet, its vibrant colors gleaming in the sunlight.

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A sliver of black wing peeked through the grey feathers of a Black-winged kite! Look at its attractive eyes.

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A clamorous reed warbler was seen next.

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A green bee-eater swooped to catch insects in flight.

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Perched proudly, a black drongo fanned its tail feathers.

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A fleeting glimpse of a Grey-bellied cuckoo, then was lucky enough to catch it soaring through the trees.

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A pied bush chat couple, the male in his striking black and white plumage, the female in her more subdued browns.

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I watched, mesmerized, as the female purple-rumped sunbirds flitted and perched on the branches, their bodies seemingly defying gravity.

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And the last sighting of the day was this little egret making a splash and catching a small fry.

Curious to hear your thoughts! Do post your comments below.

Passerines: The New Cover Birds?

The dry spell in Bangalore stretches on, with weather forecasts offering little solace. This week, during my visit to Saul Kere lake, I focused on photographing passerine birds instead of the waterfowl concentrated in the small, distant water area that was beyond the reach of my lens.

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My first sighting was a female Asian Koel. Her call to attract a mate stopped me in my tracks.

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A territorial tiff erupted between a White-cheeked Barbet and the brazen koel.

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The Koel continued its insistent mating call.

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Finally, a flash of black feathers announced the arrival of the male mate.

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Amidst the commotion's fading murmurs and the koel's lingering romance, a dapper Oriental Magpie Robin flitted in.

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A streak of brown shot across the clearing, alighting on a branch - it was a common cuckoo!

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A red-whiskered bulbul caught my eyeball next. Its beak, tightly clamped on a seed that looked like a bulging eyeball, made for a rather unusual sight.

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The scene-stealer from last post, the spotted owlet, is back! And guess what? It's still judging us all with those magnificent, expressive eyes.

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The Grey-bellied Cuckoo finally made an appearance, but only from afar. The long wait paid off with a distant sighting, good enough for a record shot, but not the close-up I had wished.

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The white-cheeked barbet parent from last post continues the cycle of life. Its beak stuffed with ripe berries, it feeds its young with a dedication that warms the heart.

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The spotted owlet flew to a nearby branch, its frustration seemingly palpable. Perhaps another failed hunting attempt felt like banging its head on a wall.

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A thrill shot through me as the next visitor arrived - the magnificent Indian Paradise-flycatcher! Distance dimmed the view, but even from afar, the female looked gorgeous. A bittersweet sighting, nonetheless.

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Snagged two more shots of the spotted owlet. Despite the occasional goofy moment, its portraits capture its stoic alertness perfectly.

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Phew, made it under the wire! This post accidentally followed the advice given by many readers to shorten things up. Let me know if you'd like more bite-sized birding adventures.