Birding Diaries: Avalahalli to Harohalli

When CR, AK, and I set out for Avalahalli Lake, the golden glow of the early sun made it seem like we’d have to call it a day early, and AK even warned us that the sun doesn’t give much time these days. But she spoke too soon.

As soon as we reached Avalahalli, the bright sky gave way to a thick, milky fog that wrapped the lake in quiet stillness.

After a short but rewarding birding session, CR suggested we check out nearby Harohalli Lake, barely a kilometer away. The fog followed us there too, softening the landscape and turning every silhouette, from a perched cormorant to a hovering drongo, into a painting.

It turned out to be a morning of calm moods, unexpected weather, and a few memorable sightings. Avalahalli was a first-time visit for me, and Harohalli a familiar stop seen in an entirely new light. Here are the pictures.

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At 6:30, the lake looked perfectly ordinary, holding its breath before the morning changed its mind.

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An immature Pheasant-tailed Jacana moved quietly through the wet grass in the dim light.

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A White-breasted Waterhen scampered away the moment it sensed my presence.

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This was all I could get, the White-breasted Waterhen peeking cautiously through the grass before disappearing again.

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A Eurasian Hoopoe, perhaps the highlight of the morning, watched us from its high perch.

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A White-throated Kingfisher shared a bare branch with a Black Drongo.

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These vibrant blue Morning Glory flowers caught my attention. Some clustered close like best friends whispering secrets, while others branched out, perfectly content with their own space.

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I spotted this tiny tridax daisy standing completely alone. It wasn't trying to hide, nor was it clustered with friends. It just stood tall.

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These Creeping Oxeye were absolutely radiating cheer.

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And just like that, the fog rolled in, turning the sunny morning into a silent, misty landscape.

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The trees became vague, beautiful silhouettes, lending the lake a dreamlike quality.

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We spotted these Lesser Whistling Ducks standing on a submerged branch, perfectly reflected in the still, glassy water.

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Under the heavy fog, a bare tree rose from the water.

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Cormorants performed a silent ballet in the milky sky.

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A tiny Little Grebe made quiet ripples in the pale water, undisturbed by the heavy fog.

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A Little Egret, pristine and sharp, watched us from the cover of the marshy plants.

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We left Avalahalli Lake and reached Harohalli Lake, barely a kilometer away. The fog, a faithful companion, followed us there too.

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Our very first sighting at Harohalli was a beautifully intense Red-wattled Lapwing.

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Found her! A loud call betrayed this beautiful female Asian Koel, her red eye piercing the canopy.

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An Oriental Magpie-Robin perched on a high wire gave us a cheerful performance.

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The Brown Shrike perched high on a bamboo branch, announcing its presence with a scratchy, persistent call.

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A peaceful pair of Indian Spot-billed Ducks glided through.

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Perched prominently near the water was an Oriental Darter. Its long neck was stretched high, and it had its wings spread wide to catch the air.

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The Rosy Milkweed Vine offered a moment of unexpected elegance.

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A lone Spot-billed Pelican glided through the thick, silver mist.

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The Black Drongo briefly paused on a twig before swooping down for insects over the grassy water's edge.

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A flock of beautiful Little Egrets were busy fishing along the edge of the lake, with one individual in the center proudly showing off its catch.

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This rare Common Cuckoo was a stunning find, perching patiently on a thorny branch like a painted subject, allowing us a perfect look at its barred chest and vibrant yellow eye.

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A fellow birder, K told us she had spotted a Spotted Owlet and offered to take us to the spot. Though it was too far for my lens, perched high on that palm stump, the sighting was still a great reward. Here is a record shot of its concealed perch among the palm fronds.

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I watched these stunning Asian Green Bee-eaters doing their thing. They perched, communicated, and one even took flight, showing off the warm copper tones beneath its wings.

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A tiny, vibrant Common Kingfisher, a flash of electric blue and copper, sat on a bare branch for just a glimpse before darting away.

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An Ashy Drongo was caught in mid-flight with its intense red eye.

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Our last sighting of the day was this bold Common Moorhen.

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Avalahalli and Harohalli, two lakes, one misty mood, and a morning that refused to be ordinary.

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