Sunday, January 21, 2018

Bird watching

It is a nice feeling to know that you have completed three fourth of the journey before the sun rises. 


Had been to Bhigwan for bird watching. Being there early had its advantages. I could shoot some good silhouettes. 





You had to point your camera in any direction and you are sure to catch two or three birds in one frame. Long beak, short beak, curved beak, gap in between beak.  Asian Open bill stork is identified by the gap in between the beak. 


 It was just coincidence that the nostrils of this open bill stork was in line with my camera by which I could see the light passing through and through.  


The eyes of this Night Heron is very mesmerizing. 

  
The painted stork breeds on trees either in mixed colonies along with other water birds or by themselves. Here this one has come down for fishing.



The Grey headed swamphen (Purple swamphen) has an elaborate courtship display holding water weeds in his bill and bowing to the female with loud chuckles. I noticed that they have huge feet.


Purple swamphen

I saw one of them pulling out a weed. He uses a lot of energy to pull out that weed which is almost six feet deep underground. After all the trouble he just leaves it and goes, perhaps not happy with the roots to be presented to a prospective bride. (you can see it in the video) 


The black headed Ibis had its beak open.



It was fun to see a pair of the Spoonbill wading in the water, hunting for fish. 


Spoonbill

Looks like this pair of Black Winged Stilt birds were out for a synchronized walk.

 Clicked some birds sitting on a wire like this Black Drongo and the Pied Bushcat 

 Black Drongo

 Pied Bushcat (male)

 Pied Bushcat (female)
The black bandit mask is very prominent in this Bay Backed Shrike.

Bay Backed Shrike

These wagtails were busy trying to catch some insects in the field. They were agile and quick. You can see the insects against the rising sun. 

Eastern Yellow Wagtail
The green Bee Eater sort of blended well with all the greenery around him.

Green Bee Eater

The Grey Heron scanning the sky line while the black winged stilt trying to locate a fish.



Saw a pair of Ruddy Shelduck (also known as Brahmini Duck) lazing in the water. 



The nest of the Glossy Ibis is a platform of twigs and vegetation positioned one to seven meters above water level. 


Glossy Ibis

The Painted Stork kept walking, meeting new friends along the way. While wading, he stirs the bottom with one leg, while the beak is ready to catch the fish. 


  The bullock carts were busy going into the fields to pick up the sugar cane 


These are later transferred to the tractors or trucks. 


Each tractor had a good sound system with huge speakers on either side. So you can hear a variety of songs blaring out when you pass a convoy of tractors.



People usually go to Bhigwan to see Flamingos but as per this local guide none of them made a landing as the water level was too high.


    
The local fishermen made the most of it by using their boats to catch fish.



The exact location where I clicked these pictures. 






25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those silhouettes are outstanding - Charles

Peter Kouwenhoven said...

Wow, there's no shortage of beautiful fowl there... Nice pictures.

Jeannette said...

Looks like it was a fun outing. You sure got to see some pretty birds...and now I have too. Thank you.

Michelle said...

This is a great series of photographs. I really like the first few with the shadowy light.

Anonymous said...

Joe, you really captured the bird life in Bhigwan. Really a birder's paradise. The shot of spoonbill hunting for fish was particularly interesting to watch. Great going. Am happy for you - Sunny Varghese

Tom said...

...you sure have some interesting sights in your neck of the woods! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

DUTA said...

I like birds but I like people more. The bullock-cart driver, the tractorist, the fishermen - make for nice, interesting pictures.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog, birds are amazing creatures, love bird watching - Theresa Mathews

Radha said...

Beautiful pictures. I went to Sundarbans with just my phone camera and could never capture the beauty of the birds over there.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Great series of pictures - all proving what an incredible rich area a wetland is. Hopefully as humans we can stop draining them.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I just watched the video - great job! Very enjoyable.

Susie said...

Your photos are spectacular. Love the amazing amounts of water birds. Blessings to you and yours, xoxo, Susie

Candy said...

Wonderful photos! Most of these birds are new to me. I'm fascinated by the bee eater!

Amy Purdy said...

Beautiful pictures of an amazing species. I love the silhouettes.

Unknown said...

Lovely pics...

Mary Kirkland said...

Those are such wonderful pictures.

Karen said...

Looks like you had a wonderful, relaxing day.

Rachel said...

Amazing! I love seeing birds in the wild or hopefully in my backyard! I planted bushes to attract them. I was able to see a few interesting birds while kayaking down the Russian River, here in California, but nothing near the amount that you show here! What a lovely day! Thanks for sharing it with us! :)

Rachel @Waves of Fiction said...

The variety of birds you observed is amazing! What a wonderful day! :)

Misha Gerrick said...

Nice pictures. I really love the second silhouette you took. :-)

Pilar said...

Beautiful photos! It looks like you had a nice time bird watching!

Patsy Irene (Chillin' with Patsy) said...

Beautiful pictures. Your silhouettes put my photography skills to shame!

DMS said...

Such stunning pictures. Love those silhouettes. Wow! Glad you got there early. :)
~Jess

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing this beautiful information & Picture also The Happy Deals

Lorraine said...

Oh.... the silhouettes! Great pics!