Sunday 15 November 2020

Backyard Birds

Good Morning!


Happy to meet you all again with a follow up of my Balcony Birds blog. Since I posted this back in April, there have been a few new visitors in your backyard, so wanted to share those with you.

If you have not visited my earlier post on what is going on in my backyard, you can either visit the Balcony Photography blog or check the video I made on my backyard - Welcome to the backyard!


I have been making some frequent walks within my apartments to spend more time observing the birds and other creatures and the place has never failed to amaze me with the kind of diversity it has! Here are some of my new friends, since we met before.

Here is the Golden Oriole, which just gave a glimpse before taking off. I am still scouting for one more sighting since that instance, yet to get more lucky.

Golder Oriole - மாங்குயில்

I have seen this tiny cinereous tit a few times, but due to its active nature and size, had not got a good photograph!

Cinereous tit - பட்டாணிக் குருவி

The Indian silverbill also known as White-throated munia is another sparrow like bird that likes to feed predominantly on grains.

Indian Silverbill / White-throated munia - வெண்தொண்டைச் சில்லை



Off late the Brahminy Kites too have joined the black kites here.

Brahminy Kite - செம்பருந்து / கருடன்


A few of my friends have told me that the Indian roller visits the apartments regularly in the morning. This is quite possible, but did not get a chance to spot it until recently.


Indian Roller - பனங்காடை

Another active bird that is seen wide spread throughout the country.

White-browed or Large pied wagtail - கருப்பு வெள்ளை வாலாட்டி

Recently, I also saw a flock of Chestnut-tailed starlings. These belong to the mynah family. Looks like these are going to be a bit regular, despite the aggression shown by its bigger cousin.

Chestnut-tailed starling - சாம்பல்தலை நாகணவாய்



Chestnut-tailed starling (சாம்பல்தலை நாகணவாய்) displaying its acrobatic skills

A sweet surprise when I saw this bunch of Indian white-eyes. Small yellowish birds that are mostly seen in groups and always active. Their bright colour is always a treat to watch!

Indian White-eye - வெள்ளைக் கண்ணி



Oriental White-eye - வெள்ளைக் கண்ணி


The real sweet surprise however was when the Asian Paradise flycatcher started coming. I am still longing to get a glimpse of the male, but this one was definitely a pleasant suprise.

Asian Paradise flycatcher - அரசவால் ஈப்பிடிப்பான்

Asian Paradise flycatcher - அரசவால் ஈப்பிடிப்பான்


It is just the birds, but the butterflies as well, which makes the place quite colourful and lively!

Gram blue


Common Mormon

This is a very tiny fellow as you can see how it compares with the blade of grass. But nevertheless a very colourful one!

Red Pierrot

Dark blue tiger


Common lime
Yet another small but active butterfly

Zebra Blue


And it is not just the butterflies, there are these predators too that come out during the season


Giant wood spider. Never fails to justify the name. Quite a big fellow!

Giant wood spider


The signature spider leaves it signature wherever it goes!

Signature Spider


Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of my backyard. I would be interested to know about your backyard as well!

Pigeon against the setting sun



Sunday 19 July 2020

Hampi - A treasure trove

Sunrise

Hampi - A treasure trove

Click here for more photos


Hampi is known to everyone as a UNESCO heritage site with its extraordinary architecture. Some of the temples and structure go back a millennium, weathering the onslaught of  various invasions, treasure hunters and weather.

There is art in every stone and it could take a lifetime, for anyone who is interested in architecture, to see and enjoy those magnificent creations of man.

The Chariot


Along with that Hampi also has a natural side to it, with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This is not a very highly known aspect of Hampi, and just as in many other places, this is area which I am quite interested in.

The ruins are not home only to those brilliant architectures, some others also call it a home. Like this little wise guy hiding in the wedges.

Spotted Owlet


I visited the place twice - once in 2016 and then again in 2017 - both times thanks to Birdwingers for organizing the trip and initiating me to Hampi, especially to its natural side. We were hosted by a local multifaceted gentleman, who is a naturalist, conservationist and also an avid bird lover.


Rufous tailed lark


Watching and photographing the birds started right from during the journey from Hosepet railway station (the nearest railway station) to Hampi. Once we are out of the hustle and bustle of the town, there are quite a lot of birding opportunities all along the way.

Most of the route was through the banks of a canal which is a tributary from the Tungabadra. The place itself provided excellent opportunities for those interested in birds and other natural beauties.

Monitor lizard warming itself in the morning sun


Indian Eagle Owl


White Ibis or Black headed Ibis


Once we reached our host's place, which is somewhere slightly outside the Hampi heritage town, we were presented with amazing opportunities for birding. Since it was still not mid-day and the birds were still quite active. So we decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

Indian Silverbill


Brahminy starling

The place adjacent to the Daroji sanctuary proved to be a very good place to see a variety of birds and animals. We just had to sit hidden and watch these beautiful friends walk by us!

Elegant ramp walker Painted Spurfowl

The most elegant and colourful pair are here! Mr and Mrs Peafowl!

Peacock

Peahen




The curious Mongoose



We can find some of the very long distance migrants as well. Here are 2 such real long distance fliers!

A pair of Bar-headed geese - These guys migrate from as far as Mongolia

Black-winged Godwit - Can fly 11,000 KM non-stop

Common Hoopoe


We also tried to get some species that are not too common in other places, especially the Yellow-throated bulbul, which is endemic to Hampi and the surrounding habitat.


Plain prinia

Red munia or Strawberry finch


This tiny beauty is an endemic bird. Always active and has a sweet song. Considering the habitat, this fellow is a bit hard to find, but the efforts are worth it, for sure.

The local fellow - Yellow-throated bulbul

We came to know of a place where we can find the Painted Sandgrouse. Though it was already evening and the sunlight was getting low in the rolling hills kind of place, we did manage to find them. These birds are mostly in pairs and we did find them so in this case.

Painted Sandgrouse

The Daroji sloth bear sanctuary is another must see place. Apart from the Big Baloo, there are quite a few other wildlife there. There are reports of even leopard spotting, but we had not been lucky enough to see one during our visit.

Honey in the sap of the tree?


The cautious look


The Leap

Evening was spent in the farm of our host. The habitat was quite rich with the food needed by some of the birds.

Always thought that Koels were black. But when the evening sun showed different colours!

Koel - Male

Ashy crowned sparrow lark - The adult male feeding the chick

Large grey babbler having a cautious look

White-breasted water hen going about its business

Even the night fall had something beautiful in store for us. Both the times we were there, we had the chances to witness some spectacular views and skies. And it is not just the humans who enjoy such splendid sunsets, even our closest relatives do!

Money enjoying the sunset


Why would be not enjoy such a wonderful scene!

A very colourful sunset and one of the most photographed place in Hampi


When God decides to show us something really spectacular, just enjoy without thinking too much. Not sure what the phenomenon here is, but these 2 were one most spectacular twilight sky we ever witnessed!

Twilight sky with some deep colours

Hope you enjoyed the natural world of Hampi. Next time when you visit there, make sure you visit this natural side of this amazing place!

Nature in its full glory!


Click here for more photos from Hampi