Missed my earlier posts? Don't worry, you can catch up by clicking the button 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.



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



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



~~~
The Koel continued its insistent mating call.



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



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



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




~~~
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.



~~~
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.



~~~
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.



~~~
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.



~~~
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.



~~~
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.





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




~~~
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.


50 comments:

  1. I can see that I have to up my vocabulary as it relates to birds - a territorial tiff indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. White-cheeked Barbet and the brazen koel look so special here

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the photo of the red-whiskered bulbul with the eyeball-shaped berry. The owlet photos, especially the one of him with his head against the tree, are fantastic, too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Shiju,
    These are a beautiful series of photos.
    I think the bulbul with the seed in its beak is very beautiful.
    Also very beautiful is the Indian Paradise flycatcher and the spotted owl.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
  5. I see so much on your blog that I never even knew existed. An Asian Koel!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't recognize many of the names but I always love your photos

    ReplyDelete
  7. The spotted owl steals the show again (although may be not, as the Indian Paradise-flycatcher is really a beauty!)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the owl with those HUGE eyes. I have been fortunate enough to see some in nature from up close. WOW, it is so special.
    I visited you via Skywatch Friday. My entry is #12+13. Feel free to join SSPS Linkup M-S: https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awesome birds photography, Owl, flycatcher looks amazing.
    Keep sharing. Greetings

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Shiju, beautiful birds in your country, I like them, especially owls . Beautiful photos. Have a nice weekend ! Greetings Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice pictures. Bengaluru's long dry spell hopefully be broken this week. Its been mammoth 150 days of long dry spell

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your birding adventures never fail to amaze me!
    I especially love the shots of the Oriental Magpie Robin and the Indian Paradise-flycatcher.

    Happy Friday, Shiju!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello,
    I just love that cute owl! The Indian Paradise Flycatcher is a gorgeous bird. I enjoyed all your birds and the lovely photos.
    Well done! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. excellent photos.....
    thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  15. ...Shiju, the owls steal the show for me this week. Thanks for showing me around, enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Clearly, my reaction to long vs. short blog posts depends on my interest. I love seeing your birds and I always look at every photo, learning about whole families of birds that I was never aware of, and appreciating the beauty that you capture. In contrast, I’m totally impatient with certain other bloggers’ long posts because they feature subjects that I don’t find interesting.
    In sum: I enjoy your bird adventures, long or short.
    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your post was just right! I love the Paradise flycatcher...WOW! And the spotted owlet really wins my heart. I'm sorry you've not had the needed rain but glad you can get out and find birds in the trees!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for beautiful shots of birds I've never heard of, nor seen! Well, owls yes. But most of the others are totally enjoyable and new to me!

    ReplyDelete
  19. The spotted owlet is very cute. All your photos are very beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Paradise flycatcher is insuperable in beauty and uniqueness.
    Happy Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The Asian Koel is an allrounder then! Any male, how cool - reminds me of The Simpsons!
    Eww, that really looks like an eyeball - you have talent to spot the extraordinary!
    And yes. Birds can get frustrated. I once had a magpie very frustrated! And what did I do on top? I laughed. Mean (me).
    And why? We are all beings, so much alike often!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for your nice comment, greetings back...
    ...and thank you too for this lovely post. I love each scene with the birds.
    Wonderful that you being part again at
    MosaicMonday

    Greetings by Heidrun

    ReplyDelete
  23. How wonderful that we all get to see the Koel through your eyes, Shiju! I have heard of the bird forever, but never seen it. Its song I have heard is very melodious. The frustrated owl's photo and the Barbet with so many berries in its beak were both delightful additions to this post. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Be well!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Personally, I am fine whether you have just one photo, or fifty photos. Of, course this is coming from a person who knows no boundaries as to overload. Sometimes I make a second visit, if I am close to suffering a meltdown, but your posts are always worth a second visit. The owl with head to trunk caption is priceless. Made me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh my, how sweet is that owlet! I have to admit though the red-whiskered bulbul caught my eye too...I really thought that was an eyeball in it's beak.

    ReplyDelete
  26. A female Asian Koel, That's brilliant Shiju, love it. Pure camerawork.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your photos are so exquisitely detailed. Many birds we don't see here in Michigan and lovely. Thanks for stopping by my blog, too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I like the spotted owl as owls are a favorite of mine! Thank you for linking up with your wonderful photos. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The frustrated owl profile should be framed! But they are all so special, especially the barbet with the mouthful of seeds. We have hummingbirds at our desert rental, and more bird sightings here in Bluff, Utah. I still need to google a long tailed black and white bird we saw.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Shiju,

    Your recent trip to Saul Kere Lake and the rich tapestry of birdlife you captured sounds absolutely enchanting! The Asian Koel’s mating call initiating a cascade of avian activity paints a vivid picture of nature’s interconnectedness and drama. How exciting it must have been to witness these moments firsthand, each bird adding its own unique story to your outing.

    The altercation between the White-cheeked Barbet and the Koel, followed by the appearance of other notable species like the Oriental Magpie Robin, the Common Cuckoo, and the Red-whiskered Bulbul, showcases the vibrant biodiversity of the area. Your description brings each encounter to life, giving readers a sense of being there with you, observing these fascinating behaviors and interactions.

    The return of the spotted owlet, with its expressive eyes and apparent judgment, adds a touch of humor and continuity to your observations. It’s always special when a familiar face from a previous outing makes an appearance, giving a sense of continuity and relationship to the place and its inhabitants.

    I'm also touched by your observation of the White-cheeked Barbet feeding its young. Such moments remind us of the persistent and often unseen efforts of wildlife to sustain their next generation under challenging conditions.

    Your account of the Grey-bellied Cuckoo and the Indian Paradise-flycatcher, although distant, highlights the patience and sometimes the bittersweet nature of wildlife photography. Even when the creatures stay at a distance, each sighting and photo adds value, contributing to the understanding and appreciation of local wildlife.

    Thank you for sharing these moments. Your dedication to capturing the beauty and subtleties of these birds during the dry spell not only provides a record of biodiversity but also offers solace and connection to the natural world for those who follow your blog. Keep up the fantastic work, and may your next visit bring even more thrilling encounters!

    John

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your pictures are amazing..Love the owl banging his head on the tree...Enjoy your week..

    ReplyDelete
  32. Well seen, well shot, well told my friend aloha

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow! ~ So many beautiful birds ~ all very professional looking forwards ~ hard to pick a favorite ~ but the little owlet got my eye ~ thanks,

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores ~
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh my! These are fabulous shots. You are such a gifted photographer!
    Thanks for joining us at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-rare-book-collection.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. Interesting birds! I’m a fan of fairly short posts because my eyes get tired by the time I finish my own blog.

    ReplyDelete
  36. What beauties so elegant looking too :-)

    Have a beaktastic week and thanks for your recent kind comment 👍

    ReplyDelete
  37. Shiju, I love viewing your bird photos, no matter how many or few you post! They always bring great pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  38. You are a master to do such images! The frustrated owl is amazing and also the Indian Paradise-flycatcher.
    Thank you for this new series.
    Happy WW and a fine week!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Amazing images, week after week. Love the owl.
    I visited you via image-in-ing. My entries are numbered #32+33.
    Feel free to join WW Linkup W-S: https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/

    ReplyDelete
  40. Beautiful photos of the birds, as always. It's particularly interesting to see them living their lives, as with that mating pair.

    And yes, the owl does steal the show every time. I'm quite fond of owls and rarely encounter them here.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Such beautiful morning light and birds. Aloha!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Fabulous photos, as always! I especially enjoy the spotted owlet "banging" his head on the tree trunk!

    ReplyDelete
  43. A head-banging owlet, how funny! Another delightful set of pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Such stunning photos - I love the markings on the birds, they are beautiful! Thanks for linking up and for sharing with #MySundaySnapshot.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I have always enjoyed your post because they create a story of what you saw, and they share the emotion and excitement that you have when you are out birding. I don’t know why anybody would suggest you being anything other than yourself. These blogs serve is kind of a record of life lived and be true to yourself would be my suggestion,… Michelle,

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wow ! The shot of Red vented Bulbul feasting upon seed is marvelous . You are fortunate enough to capture flycatcher it is a rare seen in my region. The best part about your post is always sharing anecdotes about birds for instance the picturesque observation of Koel making mating calls like a episodic tale is so enjoyable. Thanks for sharing with Garden Affair.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog and I truly value any feedback you have to offer. If you have a moment, please share your thoughts with me.
**If you opt to post a comment anonymously, kindly disclose your name to put my curiosity to rest.