Saul Kere Birds: Alive and Kicking

Last weekend, Saul Kere Lake was alive with bird action. Check out these pictures!

~~~
Can you pick out a white-throated kingfisher in the photograph?

~~~
I zoomed in and got a picture of it in flight.

~~~
Spotted an Indian spot-billed duck dabbling.

~~~
A grey heron patiently awaited an unwary fish.

~~~
Peeking out from the foliage, a Bronze-winged Jacana raised its head.

~~~
I then came across a black drongo.

~~~
I observed a pair of Indian palm squirrels mating. I couldn't help but wonder if their large tails posed any hindrance during the act.

~~~
The Oriental darters were seen drying themselves.

~~~
From afar, I could see  a grey heron deftly plucking out a tilapia fish.

~~~
It swiftly took flight with its prized catch before anyone could make an attempt to snatch it.

~~~
Speaking of snatching, there was an actual scuffle when a great cormorant captured a massive tilapia.

~~~
Another grey heron patiently waiting for fish.

~~~
A Common Kingfisher (Small Blue Kingfisher) was also seen gazing intently into the water below, searching for fish.

~~~
A resting pair of Indian spot-billed ducks.

~~~
A male purple sunbird, in its non-breeding plumage referred to as eclipse plumage, appears rather unremarkable, akin to wearing an unattractive casual outfit. However, during the breeding season, its appearance undergoes a dramatic transformation, transitioning to a dark metallic blue to deep purple hue, adorned with an iridescent maroon collar around its neck.

~~~
A white-cheeked barbet perched at a distance.

~~~
A rose-ringed parakeet mobbed it, and I managed to capture both the barbet and parakeet in a single frame.

~~~
The rose-ringed parakeet was quite lively. It was some distance away, and I attempted to capture it in flight. Here are a few blurry shots I managed to take.

~~~
A Scaly-breasted munia came into view shortly afterward.

~~~
A Black Drongo perched at a distance.

~~~
The final bird of the day was an Asian green bee-eater. I managed to capture an underwhelming shot of it in mid-flight.

~~~
I hope you enjoyed the post! I'm looking forward to reading your comments.

Linked with Mosaic Monday

Our Weeklong Kochi Adventure

I was off to Kochi for a week with my dear wife, attending my nephew's wedding. For those seven days, we happened to be in Kochi during a major festival and explored the local sights under scorching heat. Once we returned, we decided to take it easy and skip any new trips, which is why the blog also went on a little vacation! 

Here are the pics...

~~~
The view from our stay in Kochi.

~~~
As the wedding day arrived, my wife had the chance to dazzle in a saree and other embellishments. Below are a few photos of us on that special day.

~~~
As our visit coincided with the Onam festival, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Hindu god Vishnu's dwarf avatar, Vamana, we made a special visit to the Vamana temple in Thrikkakara, Kochi.

~~~
The Thrikkakara Vamanamoorthy Temple is a rare Hindu temple in India devoted to Lord Vamana/Vishnu and has a history spanning approximately two thousand years. To beat the scorching heat, we opted to visit it in the early morning.

 ~~~
We arrived at the temple just as it was gearing up for a day filled with festivities. Take a look at the Nettipattam, it's a gold and copper ornament worn on the forehead of the temple elephant. 

 ~~~
Shortly, the temple elephant will perform the ritual of carrying the deity on a stroll around the temple.

Picture Credit: @harisree_18

~~~
We made an offering of lotus flowers to the deity.

~~~
The temple drummer carries a special idakka(percussion instrument) adorned with colorful pompoms.

~~~
My wife held a sacred umbrella for a photo.

~~~
At home, we made the customary pookkalam (flower carpet), with the centerpiece symbolizing the deity.

~~~
On another day, we took a trip to Kumbalangi, a quaint fishing village, to witness the sunset.

~~~
Kumbalangi was a beautiful place with plenty of photo opportunities.

~~~
While we strolled through the village, we came across a parade of ducks.

~~~
My wife got excited by the wall murals and couldn't resist posing with them.

~~~
We reached the sunset point, and the presence of Chinese fishing nets added to the overall charm of the scene.

~~~

We spotted a Brahminy kite soaring in the sky.

~~~
We couldn't help but chuckle when we spotted a cute Shih Tzu, a dog breed with a name that sounds quite similar to mine.

~~~
The moon was already up even before the sun had set.

~~~
As the sun was setting, we decided to strike some clichéd sunset couple poses just for fun.

~~~
It was a truly beautiful evening.

~~~
The following evening, we ventured to visit Bolgatty Palace, which is situated on an island bearing the same name.

~~~
Bolgatty Palace is a stunning colonial-era mansion that exudes grandeur and charm. It was originally built by the Dutch in 1744.

~~~
The palace is a beautiful example of Dutch and Portuguese architectural styles, featuring large open spaces, sloping roofs, and wide verandas. Its vibrant green surroundings and a backdrop of serene backwaters make it a captivating sight. 

~~~
The little photobomber's moment.

~~~
The evening sky was exceptionally beautiful.

~~~
On the final day of our trip, we made an early morning visit to Mangalavanam for some birdwatching.

Mangalavanam covers an area of approximately 2.74 hectares (about 6.77 acres). This relatively small but ecologically significant space is located within the heart of the bustling city of Kochi.

One of the unique features of Mangalavanam is its mangrove ecosystem. These salt-tolerant trees play a crucial role in stabilizing the coastline and providing habitats for various marine and bird species.

~~~
As we entered the area, our attention was immediately drawn to bats hanging from the tall trees.

~~~
We encountered a Northern Jeweled Spider that had captured its prey. 

~~~
A statue of an elephant mother and calf made from cane.

The swarms of mosquitoes were quite a nuisance, and you can easily tell by the expression on my wife's face.

~~~
An Oriental Magpie-Robin hopped about in the foliage near the water.

~~~
We caught a glimpse of a female Asian Koel.

~~~
The heat was becoming intense, evident from the beads of sweat on my face.

~~~
My wife noticed something perched high up in the tree; it appeared to be an owl.

~~~
I climbed a nearby watchtower in my eagerness to get a better view, but later, a forest guard reprimanded me. The tower was in a state of disrepair, and its use was prohibited due to safety concerns.

~~~
During the brief minute I spent on the tower, I managed to capture a few photos of the Jungle Owlet, which was a lifer for me. After descending, I promptly apologized to the guard for my actions.

Thus, our eventful week in Kochi came to a close, and we returned to Bangalore.

I hope you enjoyed the post, and I would greatly appreciate your comments.

Linked with Mosaic Monday