Jakkur Lake Sunrise: A Birding Blitz

With busy weekends, my friend and I squeezed in a quick sunrise and birding session at Jakkur Lake. Here's what we found in just a couple of hours.

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Just as the first blush of pink touched the horizon, a crescent moon appeared to say goodbye before the sun took over. 

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Painted storks stalked the shallows near the shore, taking advantage of the pre-dawn quiet to hunt for fish before the morning walkers' activity began.

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The painted stork at the top of a tree saw the sun before us. The excitement was evident in the way it stretched its wings wide, greeting the rising sun with a joyful squawk.

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The painted storks stood tall, their long necks and beaks creating a mesmerizing pattern as the sun peeked.

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Had to move a little to get the whole sun in the shot.

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I wanted pictures of the stork with the sunrise. Thankfully, the stork seemed to understand the assignment and posed beautifully.

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The undisturbed water mirrored the elegance of a newly arrived painted stork.

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A little egret also had a fantastic reflection in the water. It seemed to have mistaken a water plant for a tasty fish!

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Outside a banyan tree hole, two mynas created a commotion, each trying to be the first to tend their chick. I managed to get some shots of the noisy disagreement!

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Thanks for joining me on this little birding adventure! I'd love to hear what you think in the comments.

Look Away First, You Lose!

Blogging has taken a back seat because we're in the process of moving to a new residence. Woodwork, painting, and the like are devouring my evenings. 

We had some intermittent rain, and on a very overcast morning, I ventured to Saul Kere for a short birdwatching trip. Here are some photos from the trip.

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A dense, overcast sky threatened rain, spilling a few drops every now and then.

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Undeterred by the slight rain and overcast skies, the joggers and birdwatchers of Saul Kere continued their pursuits.

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The rain and wind scattered a carpet of gulmohar flowers beneath the tree.

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A brahminy kite circled overhead, searching for fish in the water below.

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...and with a swift dive, it plucked a fish from the water.

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I watched a black-winged stilt couple. One would turn its head for a serious chat, only to be met with the other stilt giving it the cold shoulder. Then, in a blink, the roles would reverse, with the first stilt getting the silent treatment. It was a never-ending game of "look away first, you lose!

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Having gorged itself on a hearty fish, the brahminy kite seemed to be unwinding, its gaze lazily scanning the horizon.

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Rain brings new leaves.

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A grey heron's patience put mine to shame. It waited so long and so still for a fish, I couldn't keep up.

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The great cormorant next to the little egret was like a goth hanging out with a ballerina.

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Another test of patience with a grey heron. Obviously I failed.

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A spotted-dove elegantly perched in the foliage.

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A gaggle of great cormorants, wings spread wide, attempted their best Titanic pose. 

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Always a treat to encounter a red-vented bulbul, especially during their breeding season when the males are particularly vocal.

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With a nervous flick of its tail, a shy white-breasted waterhen emerged and then disappeared.

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The black drongo, known for its mimicry, perched on a branch, calling out in a variety of sounds.

...and then launched itself into a swift dive.

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And then, the showstopper of the day arrived! So close that I had to step back to focus better on this stunning oriental magpie-robin.

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Completely unfazed by my presence, it snatched a lizard.

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Yet another spotted dove! They were everywhere today.

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Last sighting: a white-cheeked barbet.

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I hope you enjoyed this post! Share your thoughts in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you.