Saul Kere's Colorful Cast

 An overcast sky and a dull, gray morning weren’t exactly the most promising start for a birding trip to Saul Kere. But as I soon discovered, the birds had other plans! From flashes of brilliant blues to striking yellows and reds, the lake’s feathered friends turned the drab morning into a vibrant spectacle.

 Here are some snapshots of the unexpected colors that brightened up the day!

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The sun was a pale white orb, barely managing to pierce through the heavy clouds. It was the kind of morning that makes you wonder if the birds would bother showing up.

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With precise, calculated movements, the Little Egret waded through the shallows, darting its slender beak into the water in search of breakfast. The world around it may have been muted, but the egret was a picture of quiet determination.

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With the birds playing hard to get, I turned my attention to the bougainvillea. Its delicate pink and orange bracts glowed softly.

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After a long, frustrating walk along the lake with no bird sightings, I spotted a white-throated kingfisher. At first, I thought it would be the only bird of the day, so I dedicated a lot of time trying to capture flight shots as it tirelessly attempted to catch fish. These kingfishers use a sit-and-wait strategy before plunging into the water to snatch their prey.

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Saw a couple of spotted doves next. 

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When you're trying to be romantic, but your partner is just thinking about lunch.

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A small, unassuming bird perched delicately amongst the foliage.  Its plumage suggested a warbler species, possibly a Blyth's reed warbler, given the pale underparts, warm brown back, and relatively plain face. 

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A Rose-ringed Parakeet posed perfectly on a dead branch, showing off its beautiful plumage.

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Busy parent! The Parakeet is clearly hard at work tending to its nestlings. 

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An Oriental Magpie-Robin posed beautifully while sharing its melody.

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Spotted this Indian Golden Oriole and thought, 'What a beauty!' Then I realized it was also a foodie, showing off its praying mantis snack.

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A Coppersmith Barbet was busy excavating its nest cavity, clinging to the tree trunk as it carved out its home.

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I lingered a little longer at the lake, hoping for one last bird sighting, and was rewarded with a sighting of an Oriental Honey Buzzard.  Unfortunately, some pesky crows quickly chased it away before I could capture a photo.  

Disappointed but undeterred, I continued my walk and was delighted to spot this pair of Indian Spot-billed Ducks, a perfect ending to my morning.

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Many of you enjoyed the dashcam views of my city in my last posts, so I'm sharing another one!  Come along with me on my morning commute through Manyata Tech Park in Bangalore.  Keep an eye out for the cool murals we pass – they add a splash of color to the daily grind.

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I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my morning. Do share your thoughts in the comments below!

Brunch with the Birds

Every birder knows the golden rule: don’t miss the golden hour. But in December, when the blanket feels extra warm and the alarm sounds like a distant suggestion, rules tend to bend. That’s exactly what happened on my Kannamangala Lake trip. I overslept, started late, and arrived just in time for… well, brunch for the birds.

The bird activity was as scarce as my discipline that morning, but, the few winged wonders I did spot still made the trip worthwhile.

Here are the pics.

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A 10-minute dash cam video of the drive. Don’t miss the surprise cameo by a horse rider towards the end.

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A view of Kannamangala Lake, with its still waters reflecting the surrounding greenery.

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An Indian Pond Heron perched calmly, blending perfectly into its green, mossy surroundings.

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This striking Ashy Drongo added a splash of elegance to the morning. 

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Three Aylesbury ducks looked like they just stepped out of a fluffy cloud.

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The dog looks like he's thinking, "If you two want to go for a swim, you're on your own. I'm good with my paws on dry land, thanks!".

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The egrets were having a grand old time soaring and swirling above the lake.

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The Indian Pond Heron perches precariously on the weathered post, its neck outstretched and its gaze fixed intently on the water below. It's a classic hunting pose, waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim within striking distance.

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"Dinner is served!" The Great egret seems to be saying with a triumphant tilt of its head. 

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The Shikra was the highlight of the day! Seeing this amazing raptor made the whole outing worthwhile.

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The Shikra's flight was like a flash of lightning. I was lucky enough to capture that fleeting moment, making it a perfect ending to the day.

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Hope you liked the post! Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Wild and Wanted

Welcome to a Wild West of birding, where every bird is a 'wanted' fugitive in the skies! 

It was an overcast morning at Hoskote Lake, with soft light and cool air. The birds were active, from Drongos gliding smoothly to starlings zipping around.  

With a bit of luck, I managed to capture their flight, and here are some of my favorite shots.

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Two young Grey-headed Swamphens walking confidently on the path at Hoskote Lake. It’s lovely to see them exploring without fear.

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A group of egrets perched on the bare branches brought a quiet elegance to the overcast morning.

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A farmer was ploughing the field with a tractor. Some Black drongos and a kingfisher sat on the surrounding fence, using the opportunity to catch insects exposed by the ploughing.

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Both the birds and I took advantage of the opportunity—while they caught insects, I captured some flight shots.

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I also spotted a White-browed Wagtail foraging for insects.

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Moving further, I found numerous Rosy Starlings occupying every available perch.

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Very often, they take off together.

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A few of the Rosy Starlings gave me a close-up view.

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Next, I followed a Common Cuckoo as it flew from perch to perch.

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So far, every bird had given me a flight shot. I spotted a Black-winged Kite perched on a pole and wished it would take off. 

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To my surprise, it did, hovering in the sky and giving me some of the most amazing wing shots.

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I spotted a Red-rumped Swallow perched on the wire.

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Next, I followed a Long-tailed Shrike.

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Far out in the lake, numerous Painted Storks were fishing in unison.

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I spotted a Common Hawk-Cuckoo and followed it as it flew from post to post along my return path.

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This was the return path, and the clouds briefly parted, letting some rays through.

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The final sighting of the day was a lone Asian Openbill Stork.

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Thus ended one of the most dramatic mornings. I hope you enjoyed the post. Feel free to share your thoughts!