Tag Archive: morning


After the excellent birding report from Vaibhav at Manchanabele Dam and my post on Manchanabele Dam without birds, here’s Part 2 for you completing our birding report. We started with a Blue Kingfisher and then another one. What a start it was. Starting your day with beautiful Blue Kingfisher.

Post this, as usual we got separated in no time, he was roaming near water, while I decided to check a little far away.

I saw a Pied Wagtail close by, infact two of them on the ground.

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

A little ahead and there was a Purple Sunbird. Very beautiful looking bird, singing nice songs. He offered one of the closest view.

Purple Sunbird - Male

Purple Sunbird - Male

Then it was my all time favourite, Little Green Bee-Eater.

Little Green Bee-Eater

Little Green Bee-Eater

Little Green Bee-Eater

Little Green Bee-Eater

After some time I spotted a bird which I first thought was a Babbler. As I went closer, I figured its something different, which I haven’t spotted earlier. To me it seems to be Bristled Grass-Warbler“. You guys will have to identify and confirm.

Bristled Grass-Warbler

Bristled Grass-Warbler

Some more Bee-Eaters and Barn Swallows.

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

On a tree there was a Booted Warbler which was very active at that point of time.

Booted Warbler

Booted Warbler

On the other side, I saw some movement, this was Brahminy Starling.

Brahminy Starling

Brahminy Starling

Some lovely flower on the ground.

Flower

Flower

Red Vented Bulbul, its always good to see them around chirping.

Red Vented Bulbul

Red Vented Bulbul

Very far away I spotted a bird of prey, which was difficult to identify from naked eyes. I loved the lens and teleconverter combination which I use. Managed to get this picture. Looks like a White Eyed Buzzard.

White Eyed Buzzard

White Eyed Buzzard

Lovely Little Green Bee-Eater once again.

Little Green Bee-Eater

Little Green Bee-Eater

There was a Chameleon on a rock.

Chameleon

Chameleon

There was a Purple Rumped Sunbird and I call this a Bullet Shot. In fact Manchanabele Dam is full of Sunbirds, I have been there twice and both the time, I have seen a lot of Sunbirds.

Purple Rumped Sunbird - Male

Purple Rumped Sunbird - Male

Loten's Sunbird

Loten's Sunbird

 

Loten's Sunbird

Loten's Sunbird

And all of a sudden a very sweet bird call took my attention. It was hard to spot. But once I spotted, it was this beautiful looking Common Iora – Female.

Common Iora - Female

Common Iora - Female

Following her was a Common Iora - Male.

Common Iora - Male

Common Iora - Male

Common Iora - Male

Common Iora - Male

After some time they left us and I saw this mysterious looking bird on the same tree. I guess its Common Crested Lark.

Common Crested Lark

Common Crested Lark

Vaibhav has already shared the story of someone demanding money from him saying photography is prohibited here and after watching the lark I joined Vaibhav and then a Purple Heron trying to share the stone with Cormorants incedence happened.

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron

Some Red Wattled Lapwing were also spotted.

Red Wattled Lapwing

Red Wattled Lapwing

A Rufous-Backed Shrike was also spotted.

Rufous-Backed Shrike

Rufous-Backed Shrike

After some more time we decided to head back to Bangalore. On the way we spotted Indian Roller. Offlate, we have started spotting Indian Rollers.

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

Overall, excellent birding for us. Worth travelling to Manchanabele Dam for birding. Give it a try!

Another Saturday and all set for yet another trip to Ragihalli. This time both of us (Me and Vaibhav) had a lot of time and we decided we are going to cover the area between Ragihalli all the way to Thattekere Lake. But as always nothing goes as I plan, however this time around it was for good I guess.

We took the right turn from Ragihalli Gate on our Apache RTR 160 & 180 and stopped about 100mts from there.

Apache RTR 160 & 180

Apache RTR 160 & 180

We ventured into the open space on the right. And withing no time we spotted Pied Bushchat – Female, Little Brown Dove and Bay-Backed Shrike.

Pied Bushchat - Female

Pied Bushchat - Female

Little Brown Dove

Little Brown Dove

Bay-Backed Shrike

Bay-Backed Shrike

A little further Black Kite with a piece of flesh and another one answering nature’s call. They are nesting on top of tree. The kite with the flesh flew back to the nest. Not sure if the young ones are hatched. Just near the tree you can find at least 5 White-Throated Kingfisher.

Kingfisher, white throated

Kingfisher, white throated

Black Kite with a piece of flesh

Black Kite with a piece of flesh

Black Kite

Black Kite

And then we spotted Spotted Owlet. Not one but two of them.

Spotted Owlet

Spotted Owlet

Spotted Owlet

Spotted Owlet

There were lots of House Sparrows, Jerdon’s Bushlark and White Throated Munia feeding on the grains from hay. They were in huge quantity.

House Sparrow - Male and White Throated Munia

House Sparrow - Male and White Throated Munia

House Sparrow - Male

House Sparrow - Male

Jerdon's Bushlark

Jerdon's Bushlark

White Throated Munia

White Throated Munia

Soon we found a group of Yellow Billed Babbler who are always found in group.

Yellow Billed Babbler

Yellow Billed Babbler

There’s a small water body close by and call of Red-wattled Lapwing attracted our attention. They were soon found mating.

Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing

Found Pond Heron sitting on a tree.

Pond Heron

Pond Heron

We found two Lesser Coucal there, lots of Sunbirds, Prinia, Black Drongo and Bushlarks.

Greater Coucal

Greater Coucal

Purple Sunbird - Male

Purple Sunbird - Male

Plain Prinia

Plain Prinia

Black Drongo on Ox

Black Drongo on Ox

Jerdon's Bushlark

Jerdon's Bushlark

We spent some good amount of time here and we decided to move ahead. While heading back to the main road I chose to sit next to the tree where we spotted Hoopoe earlier, wishing I get to see it again. While waiting for Hoopoe I saw Jungle Myna.

Jungle Myna

Jungle Myna

And this insect while Vaibhav was trying to follow some bird’s call.

Insect

Insect

Finally we were back on the main road, engines started and we moved ahead. We spotted a Shikra on the way, which flew away because a truck passed by honking. We stopped there are started exploring the area. We saw Eurasian Collared Dove and to our surprise Vaibhav spotted Oriental Honey-Buzzard. Another vehicle honking and the Oriental Honey-Buzzard flew. We managed to get one shot of the Oriental Honey-Buzzard though. Saw a White Cheeked Barbet, Small Minivet, Common Iora (Female) and White Browed Flycatcher .

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

White Cheeked Barbet

White Cheeked Barbet

Small Minivet

Small Minivet

Common Iora (Female)

Common Iora (Female)

White Browed Flycatcher

White Browed Flycatcher

While waiting for the Oriental Honey-Buzzard to come down we met another group who were out for birding. After some time we lost the sight of the eagle and had to move ahead. We reached Ragihalli in some time. Stopped at our regular shop to have a tea and anna sambhar. After getting the fuel we started again. Just before Ramakrishna Ashram some birds call attracted out attention. We stopped there looking for the bird and decided to explore that area.

We spotted some SunbirdsBush Lark, Indian Robin, and while Coucal. While we moved a little ahead to get a better shot of coucal I saw a raptor landing on a tree. To our surprise it was Oriental Honey-Buzzard. Soon we forgot about Coucal and moved quietly towards the eagle.  There were lots of flies above its head. In the same area there were a lot of dragonfly.

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Dragonfly

Dragonfly

We were very happy. After taking some rest we started again. Now we crossed Shivanahalli and stopped in front of an open field. Jackpot! I saw Asian Paradise-Flycatcher.

Asian Paradise-Flycatcher

Asian Paradise-Flycatcher

And Sirkeer Malkoha!!!

Sirkeer Malkoha

Sirkeer Malkoha

And Indian Treepie!!!

Indian Treepie

Indian Treepie

And Indian Roller, our (Karnataka’s) State Bird!!! Whoo ha. What a day!

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

Indian Roller

There were quiet a few Green Bee-Eater out there.

Green Bee-Eater

Green Bee-Eater

It was already 1:15 PM and it was time to return. Cameras were packed and we headed back after a very satisfying day.

Here’s the complete bird list -

Babbler, Yellow Billed

Barbet, White Cheeked

Bulbul, Red-vented

Bulbul, Red-whiskered

Bushchat, Pied

Bushlark, Jerdon’s

Cattle Egret

Coucal, Greater

Crow, Jungle

Crow, House

Dove, Eurasian Collared

Dove, Little Brown

Dove, Spotted

Drongo, Black

Flycatcher, Asian Paradise

Flycatcher, White Browed

Heron, Pond

Honey-Buzzard, Oriental

Green Bee-Eater

Indian Robin

Indian Roller

Iora, Common

Kite, Black

Kite, Brahimy

Kingfisher, White-Throated

Koel, Asian

Lapwing, Red-wattled

Malkoha, Sirkeer

Minivet, Small

Munia White Throated

Myna, Jungle

Myna, Common

Owlet, Spotted

Prinia, Ashy

Prinia, Plain

Rose Ringed Parakeets

Shikra

Shrike, Bay-Backed

Sparrow, House

Sunbird, Purple

Sunbird,Purple Rumped

Treepie, Indian

Wagtail, Pied

Manchanabele Dam also spelled as Manchanbele, Manchinabele, Manchinbele dam. I have never got its spelling write and have to rely on Google to help me out. Its about 40kms from Bangalore on Mysore Road.

As usual we started very early and reached the Dam when it was still dark. After wandering for some time, we started seeing some birds.  Nice place and lots of new birds for us.

Early morning it was quite dark and all of us were completely thrilled with cold as again like last time photography equipments were there but body warming cloths were not there. Me and Vaibhav decided to go for a run and at that time, we saw two black kites, probably making the day plan :) . Clearly the dawn was visible backside to them. After that, we decided to move in one direction, though we were not clear but birds sound made our path. Sunbirds were busy in search of morning breakfast.

Pair of Black Kite

Pair of Black Kite

Purple Sunbird got the breakfast

Purple Sunbird got the breakfast

Loten's Sunbird

Loten's Sunbird

Purple Rumped SunBird(Female)

Purple Rumped SunBird(Female) searching in flower

Moving down to dam side, we saw Pied Wagtail and Common Kingfisher probably in seek of Insects and Fishes.

Pied Wagtail spotted at Manchinabele, searching for early morning breakfast.

Pied Wagtail searching for breakfast

Common Kingfisher spotted far

Common Kingfisher searching for breakfast too

Soon we saw more water birds like Grey Heron, Red Watted Lapwing, Little Cormorant.

Red Watted Lapwing spotted at manchanebele

Red Watted Lapwing

Little Cormorant spotted at Manchinabele Dam. Flying wings.

Little Cormorant with open wings

Its our first time, we saw Red-rumped Swallow and Barn Swallow both.

Red-rumped Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

On the way to return back, we spotted Bulbuls, Bush-Chat, Bee eaters and Munia’s and Laughing Dove(I always find it in angry mode, why we call it Laughing Dove, probably his sounds is like Laugh)

ReD vented bulbul spotted at manchanebele

Red vented bulbul

Laughing Dove spotted at manchanebele

Laughing Dove

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Juvenile Black-Headed Munia

Silverbill

On the grassland side, we saw Indian Robin(Male and Female).

Indian Robin - Male

Indian Robin - Male

Indian Robin - Female

Indian Robin - Female

Green Bea Eaters

Green Bea Eaters

Paddyfield Pipit spotted at Manchinabele Dam

Paddyfield Pipit

White-Browed Fantail-Flycatcher

White-Browed Fantail-Flycatcher

Pied Bushcat Male

Pied Bushcat Male

And the journey Cont.. Now I am tired of Embedding Images, so rest can be viewed at :

Sushil: Here
Vaibhav: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaibhavkumar/tags/manchanebele/
Priyanka: http://www.flickr.com/photos/priyankavarma/

Prashant and Pratima Photo’s will come soon here.

And some more:

Caterpillar

Caterpillar

Fishing

Fishing

Common Iora

Common Iora

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Misty Morning….

As I went for my morning walk, the mist closed in, and when I returned home, I could hardly see the buildings opposite my balcony:

Winter Morning!

Winter Morning!

I love walking on winter mornings; I can walk as briskly as possible without perspiring, and a piping hot cup of chai or coffee tastes even better with the morning newspaper and crosswords! On such mornings, I feel that I am living in a hill station…and the beauty of the morning keeps me going the whole day long!

Hesaraghatta lake, a fresh water lake created way back in 1894,  is a manmade reservoir and is situated in north-west region of Bengaluru. Please see the below map which shows the directions from ISKCON to Hesarghatta Lake here: ISKCON to Hesaraghatta

It certainly feels so nice and warm to be curled up in a blanket on a winter morning but get up early some day to experience the freshness of early morning air and the mist while you drive to Hesaraghatta Lake. If you are one of those who loves nature, driving through typical village roads enjoying the fresh air, interested in bird watching and photography – this place is a must visit. The roads towards the lake from Tumkur main road takes you through lush green fields on both the sides, till you reach the lake. You might have difficulty because of the “under construction” flyovers till you reach DasarahaLLi but once you take deviation to the right you are all set for a lovely ride.

Surrounded by the beautiful landscape, this lake  stretches over more than 1000 acres. It also surrounds important institutions such as Government Aquarium, Horticultural Research Institute, Indo-Danish Poultry and Dairy farms with its livestock breeding and poultry centers which face the Lake, and the famous Nrityagram, the dance village — India’s first modern Gurukul (residential school).  In summer time, the lake might be dried up but there are few adventure clubs who run Parasailing that season.  The lake attracts versatile bird life;there will be migrant birds during winter season. To name a few of the bird life: Kingfishers, Wagtails, Magpie Robin, Brahminy kites and other types of kites, Drongos, Purple Sun birds and few types of water birds.

The list of birds that we spotted during our visit:

Kingfisher

Pond Heron

Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Kite Juvenile

Black Kites

Paddy Field pipit

Bushlarks

Cormorants

Magpie Robin

Black Drongo

Pale Billed Flowerpecker

Erget

Mayna

Black Crow

Doing a nature walk or driving a couple of KMs around this area will certainly relieve the stressed and cluttered minds. It is one of those places where people like me find peace and recycle the mind and body to be ready for struggling and stressful weekdays.  In short, Hesaraghatta Lake and surrounding is yet another place which makes living and working in Bengaluru worthwhile.

A jogger at Hesaraghatta lake

A jogger at Hesaraghatta lake

Brahminy Kite looking for the fishes and crabs in the lake

Brahminy Kite looking for the fishes and crabs in the lake

"Paddy field pipit" looking for an early morning breakfast

"Paddy field pipit" looking for an early morning breakfast

At around 2 KMs from the lake towards Nrityagrama; just before reaching Nrityagram there is mud road on right leading to a huge field of grass surrounded by  the trees.

At around 2 KMs from the lake towards Nrityagrama; just before reaching Nrityagram there is mud road on right leading to a huge field of grass surrounded by the trees. (Photo Courtesy: Prathima)

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