Last weekend, armed with binoculars and camera, I ventured into Saul Kere lake, and let me tell you, it was a bonanza!
Here are the pics.
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The morning mist held magic at Saul Kere. There, perched on a tree, was a Great Cormorant, its dark form stark against the backdrop. You had to squint just so to see the sun peek through the hazy curtain.
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The morning mist slowly unfurled, revealing the sun as a blushing ember through the leaves.
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A white-throated kingfisher couple took turns to swoop for fishing.
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Amidst the joyful dives of the kingfishers, I spotted an Oriental Darter struggling. Tangled in its beak was a colorful scrap of cloth. Thankfully, it freed itself, but the image lingered. Those tiny bits of trash? Yeah, they're not so tiny to a bird with a beak full of fish! Let's all be responsible, or next time it might be a rogue napkin stealing someone's lunch.
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At a distance, a black-winged stilt's nimble steps and a painted stork's patient probes highlighted their individual feeding styles.
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The lake teemed with water birds. Among them, the black-winged stilts stood out. As I settled down to observe, their ballet unfolded.
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Indian Pond Heron's sharp reflexes made it a small fry snatching champion.
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While their fishing attempts weren't as frequent as the Heron's, the stilts' graceful movements continued to catch my attention.
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And the grey heron was utilizing its signature "skulking" technique.
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Painted stork, stilts, and ducks: a diverse fishing team united by their hunger.
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The purple heron had chosen a prime location for its bamboo penthouse.
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A wood sandpiper also marked its presence.
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Catching the stilts in interesting poses is even more delightful when two work together.
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The vibrant blooms of the bougainvillea tree provided a colorful backdrop for the animated gathering of grey herons.
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I also managed to capture a grey heron in flight.
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The hilarious poses of stilts.
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While the stilts captivated me, a painted stork stole the show with its breathtaking pose.
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A little egret with its catch.
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My focus shifted to a large group of black-winged stilts.
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Nature's classroom in action! A stilt teacher, complete with stern expression, schooled three eager students. One, however, seemed to be taking notes on ditching class.
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A marsh harrier's silent descent sent ripples of terror through the reeds as dozens of garganeys erupted in a cacophony of panicked squawks. And I captured their chaotic flight.
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Meanwhile, a white-throated kingfisher stood at the ready, its gleaming beak poised for action.
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Another show of synchrony by the stilts.
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This lesser whistling duck looked like it could barely keep its eyes open, likely from its nightlong hunting expedition.
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If there were a competition for sleepiest birds, the spotted owlets would undoubtedly win.
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This male Asian koel seemed to be strutting his stuff, his flashy feathers suggesting he knew he was the best-dressed bird in the area.
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A green bee-eater catches a bee, while the other ruffles its feathers in jealousy.
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An Alexandrine parakeet perched proudly on a branch.
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The sky was clear, dotted with fluffy white clouds, when I wrapped up the birding session.
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As the day's birding faded into memory, I couldn't help but marvel at the diversity of nature. What aspects of nature inspire you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments!
