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Thursday, June 26, 2025

Back on the Trail, Gently

It’s been a while since my last post here. Life, as it often does, took the front seat. Some important personal commitments and my son’s college admission kept me occupied over the past few weeks. The good news is that he’s now settled into his engineering course, and things are finally beginning to ease up on the home front.


In between the whirlwind, I did manage a short birding visit to Muthanallur Lake with a friend. It wasn’t a particularly eventful outing, nothing spectacular to report, and honestly, I didn’t quite feel the pull to sit down and write about it then.


But with a bit more breathing room now, I thought it’s time to slowly return to the blogosphere. This post may not be the most exciting comeback, but consider it a warm-up lap. Thanks for sticking around and do bear with me while I find my rhythm again!



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The view that greeted us at 7:20 AM – calm, green, and quietly beautiful. A bit late by birding standards, but the place still felt like a gentle welcome back.



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A White-throated Kingfisher perched on a bare branch was calling into the morning stillness.



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The morning light filtered through the branches as a Baya Weaver hovered mid-air. Nesting season was in full swing, and the artistry already in progress.



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Perched on a wire under the open sky, this Red-rumped Swallow paused just long enough for a quick portrait. “Okay fine, one quick photo... but then I’ve got skies to slice!”



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The palm stood like a high-rise, dotted with Baya Weaver nests in various stages, some freshly woven, others still under construction.



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We watched the Baya Weaver males hard at work, meticulously weaving nests and putting on their best aerial displays to impress the choosy females.







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Some are just beginning. Wisps of grass, early loops, foundation laid.



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Before the moody adult look sets in, the Pied bushchat rocks a speckled outfit and innocent eyes. A brief but beautiful chapter in their journey to adulthood.



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Red-Wattled Lapwing flying in with its favorite question: “Did he do it?!” 



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Plain Prinia: small frame, big attitude, louder than your neighbour’s TV.



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If birds had job titles, this one was clearly site supervisor. Helmet on, feathers fluffed, and probably wondering why the younger weavers were slacking off.



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Black tie, chestnut vest, and a white undercoat. Clearly no one told this little munia it was a casual morning.



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Not flashy, not loud, the White-rumped Munia prefers a quiet perch in the shadows, blending in until you really start looking.



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Tiny, dusty, and a little unsure, but with those eyes, they already know how to pause hearts.



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For a bird that rarely sits still, this Red-rumped Swallow offered an unusually patient portrait.




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One half leafy, one half bare; a tree in quiet duality, standing somewhere between retreat and renewal.







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And that wraps up this slow return to the blog. Nothing too dramatic this time — just familiar birds, quiet corners, and a bit of space to pause and take it all in.


To my fellow bloggers and readers, I owe you a small apology. I’ve been away longer than intended, not just from writing, but also from reading, visiting, and engaging with your posts. Life pulled me offline for a while, but I hope to catch up gradually, and I truly appreciate your continued presence and patience.


Until next time, thank you for being here. Do leave a comment if something in this post resonated with you. It always means a lot.

41 comments:

  1. Congratulations to your son on entering this new phase in his education. This post is not lacking in anything … your nature photos and commentary are as compelling as ever, the two pups being a particularly pleasant surprise!

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  2. Glad you were able to do what you needed to do and also get out and restore yourself. You've also restore us with your wonderful photos aloha friend!

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  3. I'm glad you posted. Enjoyed seeing all the birds and especially the nest.

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  4. Kudos to your son on starting an engineering program!! Life gets in the way for all of us, from time to time. Nice to see you getting back into it. I enjoy your photography. The hanging nests are works of art, I think! Thank you for linking up.

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  5. Beautiful photos, and a big congratulations to your son!

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  6. Life does come first, so no apologies needed! Congratulations to your son entering an engineering program. I always enjoy your posts and learning more about the different birds that live in your country, You photograph them so well.

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  7. Congratulations on your son's acceptance in the engineering program. Real life is important but I'm glad you were able to go see your birds. Marvelous post as usual.

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  8. Welcome Back, Congratulations to your Son for join engineering, Greetings.
    Always loved your posts. Amazing series of bird photos.

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  9. Glad to have you back. You were missed. You know though when the family needs you you have to do what is required.

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  10. Great to have you back blogging! Also good to know that things are looking up making you sigh with relief! And this post is as gorgeous as your earlier posts!

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  11. Hello Shiju,
    This is a great series of photos.
    I think the Red-rumped Swallow is very beautiful, a species that we do not see here.
    It is also nice to see how the males of the Baya Weaver make the nests.
    The puppies are so cute to see.
    I wish you a nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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  12. Well it's clear you haven't lost your touch with photographing animals and birds in particular. Thank goodness for us blog followers.

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  13. Thanks for your lovely photos, and good descriptions! Many birds I would never see. You've a good eye! Plus those birds don't live in my area anyway! Looking forward to your next post.

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  14. Your presence has definitely been missed around here. And wow, congratulations to your son (and to the proud parents as well) for the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

    Worth a Thousand Words

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  15. Your life sounds very busy, and it’s a pleasure to see you resume an online presence. Good to see your wonderful birds that I find so fascinating because I have never seen them outside your blog, especially weaver birds. I have not been to Africa or Asia where they live.
    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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  16. The Red-rumped Swallow is supercute.
    And wow on the nest-building. LOL on the TV-comparison.
    Supervisor :-)
    Blogging should be fun, do not apologize... enjoy your day (and yay for being back, I always enjoy your posts).

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  17. Hello,
    Welcome back and congratulations to your son, I am sure he is exited for this adventure.
    Beautiful captures of the birds, I love the series on the Baya Weavers and their nest.
    The Red-rumped Swallow is a cutie and I love the Lapwing in flight.
    Your photos are always a treat to see! Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post.
    Take care, have a great weekend.

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  18. Missed you, glad to see that you're back. Yes, sometimes life gets in the way of blogging.

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  19. I've missed you and glad you are back. Sounds like some of your busy times are very good with your son starting college! My boys are engineers and happy in their vocation. LOVE the nest of the weavers! That is just so cool! Hugs, Diane

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  20. Welcome back and with an awesome photo post ~ Congrats to your son ~ Nests of weavers are fascinating and you photograph them so well ~ thanks,

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

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  21. Welcome Back! Nests of weavers were my favorite images so far.

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  22. Life happens and family is always more important than the Land of Blog! It's a joy to welcome you back and see your magnificent photography again! You never disappoint!

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  23. Oh... I'll have to read through that again in more detail! My circulation is going crazy right now in this heat in our area. So, just a quick word of appreciation and thanks for your wonderful contribution to MosaicMonday.

    Best wishes from Heidrun

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  24. The weaver nest is astonishing to me. What talent the weavers have! I'm unaware of anything remotely similar in our part of the world, but I'd be fascinated to watch the process.
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2025/06/even-cats-get-hangry-and-cranky.html

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  25. Dear Shiju, if that was just a warm-up round - then WOW! I would love to get bird photos like these even on my best days 📸🐦🕊️. And even if they're common, normal, and conventional for you, they're obviously NOT that for us out there in the wide world – they're pure exotics, something very special... and some of them are even dressed in the finest clothing! Others, on the other hand, are building their intricate nests... I think I've already told you that I saw similar ones in Africa and was quite fascinated by them. The baby dogs are also very cute!
    All the best from Austria,
    Traude
    🌿 https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/06/juni-highlights-naturpark-sparbach.html

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  26. Great photos, once again!

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  27. Congratulations to your son and best wishes as he navigates this next chapter of his life! Your warm up photos are just a tease of what is to come!

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  28. Congratulations and your son! Live happens and takes us in and out of our rhythms as bloggers, so always understandable. I enjoyed the sense of ecosystem and "metropolis" among the birds, the trees, and even the puppies in today's post. It felt like it was more an ensemble cast than "stars", which is a nice change of pace. And the weaver birds' nests were quite impressive.

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  29. Poems in images!
    Your photographs are of absolute beauty! Thank you for this demonstration of photographic art!

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  30. This post is quite exciting to me. One never knows what beautiful photos will appear next, but one is never disappointed. The Baya Weaver and their hanging nests seem so unusual to me. It's a marvel how they manage to weave it together so well that it will hold the mother and baby birds.

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  31. Such luscious landscapes, your photos are stunning. Thank you for sharing your snaps and taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.

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  32. What a gentle and heartfelt return to blogging, capturing the quiet beauty of familiar birds and moments with sincere appreciation. Your patience and calm observation remind us of the value in slowing down and reconnecting with the simple, steady rhythms of life.

    I just shared a blog post you are invited to read thank you
    https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/07/the-boxer-shorts-trend-castle-test.html

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  33. We believe spotting Baya weaver nest is a good omen . Congratulations for your son. The capture of daily humdrums of Baya weaver creating nest is a blessing in itself. I love how green landscapes look after Monsoon. Thanks for sharing with Garden Affair.

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  34. It was a quiet day indeed. I am partly (actually totally) guilty for slowing you down that day but your pictures are as good as always nevertheless.

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  35. Beautiful photos. Congratulations to your son. The puppies 🐶 are adorable.

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  36. It's amazing how they could even build that nest! Glad your son has settled in - a fun stage of life for him!

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  37. How exciting for your family and a whole new adventure for your son. I remember when my daughter was accepted for her various programs leading to a PhD in psychology,. In the end, we just want them to be safe and happy when they are out of our homes….

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  38. Thank you for bringing us on your birding journey. Your photos are amazing.

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