Saul Kere Lake, shrouded in a soft, overcast blanket, invited me for a leisurely stroll. The absence of the sun made the walk incredibly comfortable. Despite the low light, the lake held a mysterious charm. Let's dive into the pictures...
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The sky was heavy with rain, the air thick with anticipation, and the surroundings a lush, green paradise. Yet, the looming presence of towering structures cast a shadow over this natural beauty.
The sky was heavy with rain, the air thick with anticipation, and the surroundings a lush, green paradise. Yet, the looming presence of towering structures cast a shadow over this natural beauty.
~~~
I spent some time waiting for the Eurasian coot to lift its foot. Those paddle-like feet, perfect for propelling them through water, were a fascinating sight.
I spent some time waiting for the Eurasian coot to lift its foot. Those paddle-like feet, perfect for propelling them through water, were a fascinating sight.
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A plump Little Grebe was incubating eggs in its nest at the water's edge. A lifer moment for me! It nests at the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it can't walk well. In India, the species breeds during the rainy season.
A plump Little Grebe was incubating eggs in its nest at the water's edge. A lifer moment for me! It nests at the water's edge, since its legs are set very far back and it can't walk well. In India, the species breeds during the rainy season.
~~~
Painted storks, herons, and coots were all busy fishing.
Painted storks, herons, and coots were all busy fishing.
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I wanted to capture the pretty flowers on the trees, but a spot-billed pelican joined the scene. It was a nice surprise.
I wanted to capture the pretty flowers on the trees, but a spot-billed pelican joined the scene. It was a nice surprise.
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I shifted my focus to the lone spot-billed pelican.
I shifted my focus to the lone spot-billed pelican.
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While I was focusing on the pelican, I saw the snake neck of an Oriental darter fishing alongside.
While I was focusing on the pelican, I saw the snake neck of an Oriental darter fishing alongside.
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Darters are expert fishers! They can catch prey much faster than other birds.
Darters are expert fishers! They can catch prey much faster than other birds.
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After gobbling down a few fish, it perched and fluffed its feathers to dry.
After gobbling down a few fish, it perched and fluffed its feathers to dry.
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In the distance, a white-throated kingfisher kept company with two pied kingfishers on a tree branch.
In the distance, a white-throated kingfisher kept company with two pied kingfishers on a tree branch.
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One of the pied kingfishers tried its luck at fishing, but it was too far for a good shot. Here are a few I managed to take.
One of the pied kingfishers tried its luck at fishing, but it was too far for a good shot. Here are a few I managed to take.
~~~
My day ended with a sighting of a greater coucal.
My day ended with a sighting of a greater coucal.
~~~
That wraps up my birdwatching escapade at Saul Kere Lake. I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did.
That wraps up my birdwatching escapade at Saul Kere Lake. I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did.
What's your favorite bird and why?
Please share your comment below.
We went for a walk yesterday and saw a kingfisher. Unfortunately we have only one species here - Belted Kingfisher - so I have kingfisher envy this morning.
ReplyDeleteGreat birdshow again but the threat to this bird paradise is already visible at the edges.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful series of photos, Shiju.
ReplyDeleteThe different kingfishers are my favorite, here we only have one kind of kingfisher.
I enjoyed your photos.
Greetings Irma
What a serene and picturesque experience at Saul Kere Lake! The overcast sky and lush surroundings sound like the perfect setting for a peaceful stroll. I love the detail about waiting for the Eurasian coot to lift its foot—it must have been fascinating to observe. And how exciting to spot the Little Grebe and its nest, especially as a lifer moment!
ReplyDeleteThe presence of the Painted storks, herons, and coots adds to the vibrant natural scene, and the spot-billed pelican joining in must have been a delightful surprise.
I just posted a new blog post at [www.melodyjacob.com](http://www.melodyjacob.com). I invite you to read and let me know what you think about it. Thank you!
Wonderful photos and dialogue - I felt I was walking with you
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Amazing to see so much natural beauty and birdlife so close to the city. Hope that little lake is never developed.
ReplyDeleteGood shots.
ReplyDeleteDelightful captures.
ReplyDeleteHello Shjiu :=)
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted that I can now see your photos again, and what natural beauty you manage to capture. I enjoyed seeing all the birds.The Spot billed Pelican, oriental darter,, and the Eurasian Coot are spectacular captures, and my favorites because of the both the action and the detail. Thank you Shiju. I don't have any birds this week.:(
Lake looks great, Amazing birds photos.
ReplyDeleteHello. Amazing photos. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all the critters, but especially the in-flight shots of the Kingfisher.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, the buildings are... who wants to live in there?
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing the Eurasian coot - that foot-system is very interesting/effective!
Pelicans I have respect of. Once one chased me, thinking I have food, but I had none... (that was at Monkey Mia, Western Australia a looong time ago).
I live in the city and really hence have no favorite bird. I enjoy popping in on Saturdays to see what you all got world-wide! We have but pigeons, sparrows and tit-birds. The latter I see seldom.
Birding in lower-light conditions can be frustrating, but your photos captured such great action. The sighting of three kingfishers at once is amazing.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Hello Shiju,
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy your photos and all the birds. The flowers are lovely. The Coots do have weird feet. I am amazed you were able to catch three Kingfishers together. The Darter fishing is a great series. I love the Painted Stork and the Pelican. Great post and outing. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
It was hard to focus in on that last bird. He really blends in to the background. I love the Painted Stork best but the pics of the bird with the fish are fantastic! Love seeing this place through your lens!
ReplyDeleteSo many pretty bills/beaks! Great photos, Shiju. My favorite is the Coucal, simply because its eye just blew my mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with all of us. Be well!
Such incredible photos! The shots of the Darter catching a fish are simply wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe fish being tossed is spectacular! Brilliant shot #MySundaySnapshot
ReplyDeleteI love the pied kingfisher! The darter is incredible too.
ReplyDelete...Shiju, you captured your day beautiful, thanks for sharing it with me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures and dialogue.
ReplyDeleteWow! ~ Such amazing 'dinner' photos and nature shots ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I like the painted storks and the photo with the fish in the air is a great action shot. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures as always the first one had an atsmosphere about it brlliant
ReplyDeleteHave a atmospherictastic week 👍
WoW!!! another amazing post filled with such beautiful images. i don't know how you do it but i always enjoy seeing the world through your eyes!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical morning at Saul Kere Lake!
ReplyDeleteThe Little Grebe nesting and the surprise pelican were highlights. I’m always fascinated by snowy owls for their striking appearance.
Thanks for sharing your birdwatching adventure!
Your posts - and photos - never fail to astound me. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful region with us at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/08/a-few-more-details-inside-pennsylvania.html
ReplyDeleteWOW, the action shot of the Darter eating the fish is incredible! I also love that you saw a Grebe, they have a special place in my heart. Amazing photos, what a great day of birdwatching you had!
ReplyDeleteImpressive collection.
ReplyDeleteWOW, I wanted to single out one image, but that's not possible as all are worthy of a mention. Absolutely stunning does not start to describe it
ReplyDeleteFound your post on image-in-ing. My entries this week are numbered #35+36
Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/
Darters look so expert fishers.....
ReplyDeletefantastic photos
Wow, very impressive 😊🥰😍
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and gorgeous pictures, love them all
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for participating and sharing at #40 #WW (Words welcome). See you Wednesday at #41, https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/
I see what you mean about the light, it really makes for wonderful snapshots! Thanks for linking up and for sharing your snaps with #MySundaySnapshot.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of wows here.....Michelle
ReplyDeleteI absolutely enjoy your trips at saul kere lake. The capture of darter having its feast is sharp and brilliant. Pied kingfisher is completely new to me , never seen these in our region. Thanks for sharing with Garden Affair.
ReplyDeletebeautiful birds!
ReplyDelete