A Serene Morning at Saul Kere

 Last weekend, I randomly chose one of my favorite lakes, Saul Kere. The morning was all misty and calm, perfect for a quiet walk. I was lucky enough to see some amazing birds, like a big, graceful Western Marsh Harrier soaring high above the water and a colorful Black-rumped Flameback. Here are the pics.

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My first sighting was of a Great Cormorant emerging after a dive, still dripping wet. It was a beautiful sight to see the water droplets glistening in the morning light.

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Later, I stumbled upon a rookery full of Cormorants, drying their wings. I spent quite some time observing their behavior.

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I witnessed Spot-billed Pelicans and Little Egrets sharing the lake, both trying their luck at fishing. 

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The cormorant caught the fish, but I could only capture the moment when the fish was about to disappear down its throat.

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The male spot-billed pelicans develop a bright yellow patch of skin around their eyes during breeding season.

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A Black-rumped Flameback woodpecker perches on a tree trunk.

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Then the woodpecker takes flight.

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The sun shines brightly through a cloudy sky, casting a warm glow on the surrounding landscape.

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A Western Marsh Harrier soars effortlessly in search of its next meal.

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It created quite a flutter among the birds and the birders.

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A beautiful Oriental Magpie-Robin perched on a tree branch.

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A White-throated Kingfisher watches intently from its perch.

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Raindrops cling to the slender blades of grass, glistening in the sunlight. 

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An Indian Pond Heron stands tall on a branch.

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A pair of White-cheeked Barbets are seen hard at work. One is diligently excavating a nest cavity in a tree trunk, while the other keeps a watchful eye, ensuring their future home is safe and secure.

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Two Ashy Drongos perch on a branch, one holding a dragonfly.

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Hope you enjoyed this quick escape! Until next time, happy exploring!

Echoes of Hoskote

Last weekend, I visited Hoskote Lake and had a fantastic time birdwatching. I was lucky to spot some amazing birds, including the vibrant Indian Paradise Flycatcher, the elusive Blue-faced Malkoha, and many more. Here are the pics.

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The morning was foggy and still. A lone Pied Bushchat perched on a pole, its dark form silhouetted against the misty backdrop.

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The mist began to lift, and the sun emerged from behind the clouds, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.

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A Common Cuckoo perched gracefully on a power line, silhouetted against the bright morning sky.

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A young female Baya Weaver perched delicately on a thin branch, her bright yellow beak contrasting with her muted brown plumage. The soft morning light illuminated her, making her look even more adorable.

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This mischievous Blue-faced Malkoha, with its beady blue eyes, seemed to be playing hide-and-seek among the leaves.

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I waited stealthily and was rewarded with fleeting glimpses of the elusive bird.

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A sleek Jungle Myna, looking freshly bathed and well-groomed, perched atop a weathered tree trunk.

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A majestic Grey Heron, with its long legs and sharp beak, stood tall on a branch, surveying the surrounding wetlands.

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A Jungle babbler perched on a ivy gourd vine-covered fence.

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The delicate white petals of the Deccan Hemp flower, with a vibrant red center, stood out against the lush green foliage.

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It's always a delight to spot the charming White-browed Bulbul.

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A Purple Sunbird male in eclipse plumage made a brief appearance.

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A colorful White-throated Kingfisher perched on a wire.

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A pair of Large Grey Babblers, engaged in a tender moment.

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An Asian Green Bee-eater, ready to swoop down and catch its prey.

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Then I saw the Bay-backed Shrike take flight.

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A large flock of egrets and ibises filled the sky, creating a beautiful, swirling pattern.

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A curious Cattle Egret perches atop a cow, taking advantage of the insect-rich environment created by the grazing animal. Below, a flock of Cattle Egrets follows the cow, eagerly picking off insects disturbed by its movements.

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A Bay-backed Shrike perched on a thorny branch, ready to pounce.

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The Purple-rumped Sunbird is always ready to steal the show!

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The third Bay-backed Shrike I spotted today.

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I couldn’t believe what I saw next. A female Indian Paradise Flycatcher! I followed its swooping flight from branch to branch, tree to tree, mesmerized by its elegance and grace.

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Another surprise sighting was the Eurasian Hoopoe, with its distinctive crown and long, curved beak, perched elegantly on a branch. 

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It was nice to see the dog using the vast open space to do aimless running. The grass was wet, making it all soggy, but the dog didn't seem to mind. It was having so much fun!

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Again saw a male Purple Sunbird in intermediate morph. Whether it was clinging to the branch or taking flight, its elegance was captivating.

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A White-browed Wagtail was the last bird I spotted on this incredible day.

I hope you liked the post! Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Please note that the header image used in this post is a modified version of the iconic Pink Floyd back catalogue poster from 1997. The original poster was created to promote the re-release of the band's back catalogue and featured nude models with album covers painted on their backs. The poster was photographed by Tony May and the album covers were painted by Phyllis Cohen. I retrofitted the poster with bird photographs from my trip to Hoskote Lake.