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Thursday, March 02, 2023

Avian encounters at Saul Kere lake

Here is the array of birds I had the pleasure of sighting on my recent trip to Saul Kere lake…



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As I strolled leisurely, birding by ear, I could hear the cheerful calls of Tailor birds, Ashy Prinia, and parakeets and the sweet songs of sunbirds…



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A momentous decision hung in the air, as an Indian Spot-billed Duck contemplated its next move.…



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Drawing near, a male Pied Bushchat caught sight of me and swiftly took flight…

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A glittering male Purple Sunbird was ready to compete with bumblebees in the nectaring game…

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Two Indian Spot-billed Ducks swam in perfect synchrony…




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A Wood Sandpiper scoured the earth for sustenance…



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With a mighty splash, a Little Cormorant emerges and beats its wings vigorously in the water…

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Bathed in the glow of the morning sun, a Bronze-winged Jacana gleams…



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Exuding elegance and poise, a Pheasant-tailed Jacana cut a graceful figure…

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Ever on the hunt for sustenance, a diligent Wood Sandpiper persisted in its pursuit of a meal…



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In a display reminiscent of a graceful dancer's performance, the flight of the Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a thing to watch…

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The feathers are a mix of rich brown and black, with bold white markings along the edges that create a striking contrast against the bird's darker plumage…

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Next in line of sight was a Lesser Whistling Duck. Its feathers are a stunning combination of muted gray and soft brown, with intricate patterns that seem to shift and shimmer in the light…



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My attention then turned to a drowsy flock of Lesser-Whistling Ducks, known for their nocturnal feeding habits and diurnal slumbering tendencies…



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Characterized by a distinctively wheezy, two-note call, Lesser-whistling ducks are known by regional monikers such as Sili and Silhahi in India, based on their vocalization…



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I was overjoyed when a tiny Pale-billed Flowerpecker drew so near that it appeared much larger than life…



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Once again, a Wood Sandpiper could be observed intently scouring the terrain for sustenance.…



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A congregation of diverse migratory birds…



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Next, my eyes fell upon the expertly camouflaged Common Snipe…

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With food in tow for its young, a male Pied Bushchat appears…




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Eagerly anticipating a delectable meal, the young Pied Bushchat awaits the arrival of its food…



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Taking the lead, a female Pied Bushchat attends to the youngster and feeds him…



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Even though it is a familiar presence, the sight of an Asian Green Bee-eater never loses its ability to enthrall…



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I heard, then saw a Blyth’s Reed Warbler…



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The final up-close encounter of the day was with an Indian Spot-billed Duck as it dabbled in the water…

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Thank you for reading the post. I tried a new narration style for fun, please excuse me if it's not your cup of tea. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.


Thursday, February 23, 2023

Jakkur lake trail

Last weekend, my wife and I visited Jakkur lake and took photos in the birding hotspot besieged by joggers and walkers. Here’s the photo story…



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We reached the lake much before daybreak to watch the wondrous sunrise Jakkur always has. There was enough time to stop and marvel at the waning crescent moon in the sky… 






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A calming sight of a Spot-billed Pelican swimming in the dim light…



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A Painted Stork announced the arrival of the sun from his high perch…



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A Black-crowned Night-Heron was calling it a day after probably a night long hunt…


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The sky color started to resolve from gray to light orange…



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The sun peeked from behind the buildings…


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I spotted a Painted Stork watching the sunrise with us…


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A Spot-billed Pelican swam in the golden water…



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A pelican couple gleamed in the light. Also seen in the frame are a team of Spot-billed ducks and two Black-winged Stilts…


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A Painted Stork began his quest for a fish meal…



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A Blyth's Reed Warbler searched for an insect meal…



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A Black-head Ibis couple foraged in the swamp…



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With binoculars, the wife was having her fill of birds…



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She pointed to an Oriental Magpie Robin who was singing its beautiful song…


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I was having my fill of the Spot-billed Pelicans. I was seeing them after many months…



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Time for a portrait…



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Jump and skip workout…



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A Little Cormorant was sitting and drying its wet wings and feathers…



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And she finds a spot for her next Fb profile pic…
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We reached the Peepal tree where Alexandrine parakeets live…



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It is named after Alexander the Great, who transported numerous birds from Punjab to various European and Mediterranean countries, where they were prized by the royalty, nobility and warlords.

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A Chestnut-tailed Starling was also seen on the peepal tree…




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Chestnut-tailed Starling is a winter visitor to peninsular India…



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We returned to the lake to try to spot the Black-crowned Night Herons. We saw several of them resting in the trees and bushes…
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These Night Herons are winter visitors from the Old World...
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This is how we started our weekend. What did you do last weekend?