Saul Kere Delivers Again

Saul Kere has a habit of pulling me back. Some places just do that. This was my first visit of the year and joining me was my birding buddy CA who was seeing the lake for the first time. I had talked it up quite a bit during our earlier conversations so it was time to see if it would live up to the expectations.

For CA it was a new birding ground. For me it felt like catching up with an old friend after a short gap. As usual the lake did not disappoint. By the time we wrapped up, it had given us a morning full of birds and a few memorable sightings.

The photos below tell the rest of the story.

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I reached early as usual. The sun had not risen yet and the lake was still quiet. CA called to say he would catch up so I took it slow and let the morning unfold. A thin layer of mist hung over the wetlands as the day slowly began.

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A nice Blyth’s Reed Warbler to start the bird list for the morning.

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Out on the water a Grey Heron was already at work moving slowly through the shallows with the patience only herons seem to possess.

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A Painted Stork was having better luck.

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Right about then the sun finally rose over the lake.

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The changing morning light painted the water in soft shades of orange and gold.

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The sun climbed higher lighting up the sky in deep shades of orange.

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With the sun lighting up the water I framed the Grey Heron against the glowing reflection as it walked slowly through the shallows in search of food.

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Just then CA caught up. Within moments he pointed out a Wood Sandpiper quietly wading in the shallows.

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Nearby an Intermediate Egret stood quietly on a small patch of land.

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The Pink Trumpet Trees were in full bloom like in many parts of Bangalore this time of year.

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CA asked if we could walk a little onto the dry lakebed to look for snipes. We carefully stepped onto the cracked mud and soon came across a Grey Wagtail.

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Nearby a Wood Sandpiper was busy probing the shallow water.

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One male Garganey stood along the muddy edge while another floated quietly nearby.

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After some searching we finally spotted a Common Snipe at a distance blending perfectly with the muddy ground.

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Perched on a bare branch nearby was a Brahminy Kite calmly watching over the lake.

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A Red-wattled Lapwing strutted across the ground briefly spreading its wings.

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A Little Egret waded quietly through the still water its reflection almost as clear as the bird itself.

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A White browed Wagtail perched on the rocks by the water’s edge.

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Black winged Stilts waded gracefully through the shallows their long red legs and reflections creating elegant patterns on the calm water.

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Mr and Mrs Garganey floated side by side on the calm water.

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A Black winged Stilt and Wood Sandpiper seemed to be busy doing their own thing in tandem along the shore.

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A Purple Sunbird perched nearby with its iridescent blue plumage catching the morning light beautifully.

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A White cheeked Barbet paused on a branch before darting back to its tree hollow.

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A Common Myna looking very pleased with itself.

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I focused on the neatly chiseled tree nest of a White cheeked Barbet.

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It was lovely watching the White cheeked Barbet pop in and out of its tree hollow.

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A Bronze winged Jacana lifted off and skimmed across the lake.

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A Bronze winged Jacana chick carefully foraged among the floating vegetation.

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A fitting finale to the morning came from a White throated Kingfisher which dived out and returned triumphantly with a fish.

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With the kingfisher’s catch the morning felt complete. Saul Kere had once again lived up to its reputation.

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