Ponds, Canals and Countryside

6th July 10 - where has the Indian Spotted Eagle gone?

2010-07-06T22:07:00.003+05:30

Pair of Woolly-necked Storks - partially made nest, Delhi Canal, Sonepat.

Today, I saw at least 4 Oriental Honey Buzzards.

Cloudy weather, some drizzling, went for 2 hours birding along the canal.
Birds included Oriental Honey Buzzards, nesting pair of Woolly-necked Storks, Golden Oriole, Streak-throated Swallows, 2 species of shrikes, Chestnut-shouldered Petronias, Baya Weavers,
5 Spoonbills, Black and Black-headed Ibises, prinias, Black Drongos and other commoner species.

But sadly, Indian Spotted Eagle was not sighted. Last year's both nesting sites were scanned: no trace of the first nest, second nest was intact but abandoned.

Yamunotri Visit (source of the Yamuna river) (13 Jun to 18 Jun 2010)

2010-07-02T10:23:00.003+05:30

With my poet-philosopher friend Virendra Kumar, I made a trip to Yamunotri from 13th June to 18th June 2010. Some of the photographs. Got three lifers White-bellied Yuhuna, Speckled Wood Pigeon and Pied Thrush. Plenty of other birds. Went via Shamli-Saharanpur-Vikas Nagar-Kalsi Gate-Barhkot-Syanachatti-Janakchatti and returned via the same route except from Vikas Nagar from where we took a detour via Paonta Sahib, Kalesar National Park, Hathini Kund, Yamunangar, Karnal, Murthal and Sonepat.

Brown Dipper at the bottom of the Yamunotri temple.

Yamunotri glacier. This mountain is known as Kalind, river Yamuna is also known as Kalindi.

Virendra Kumarji who has been to Mountain Kailash says this looks like mini Kailash.

Yamunotri Temple.

Chakrata, Deoban (Dehradun) on 12-15 May 07 (an old report)

2010-05-02T11:09:00.002+05:30

Chakrata, Deoban (Dehradun)

Four of us, Dr Sudhir Oswal, Dr Chandra Kumar Ballal, Ramu and myself, left Sonipat in the early morning of 12th May 2007 and reached Forest Research Institute, Dehradun by noon driving through Kalesar National Park and a brief stay at Asan Barrage. At FRI, Dehradun we were joined by Dhananjai Mohan and Raman Attrey. Afternoon birding at FRI. 13 th May morning, we drove for Chakrata (2000m height) birding all the way, afternoon birding at Tiger Fall, night stay in DFO Residence Forest Rest House (built in 1888), 14thMay morning we drove for Deoban (2900m height) birding all the way, night stay again in Chakrata FRH, 15 th May morning we drove back via Bairat Khai birding all the way and reached Sonipat by the sunset. A brief visit at Bikram Grewal's house in Dehradun on 12th evening.

White detailed trip report will take some time for uploading on my website, here are the brief highlights:

Out of the 198 species, Chukar and Hill Partridges. Asan Barrage had 150 wintering ducks still left behind on 12th but nil on 15 th.

14 species of woodpeckers included Speckled Piculet; Rufous, Brown-fronted, Rufous-bellied, Himalayan, Scaly-bellied and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Lesser Yellownape and Greater Flameback. 5 species of barbets – Great Barbet being the commonest.

8 species of cuckoos including Large Hawk, Indian, Eurasian, Oriental, Drongo- and Grey-bellied Cuckoos.

4 species of parakeets including Slaty-headed. Owls included Brown Hawk, Mountain Scops and Asian Barred Owlets.

6 species of doves including Emerald and Oriental Turtle. Pin- & Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons.

11 species of birds of prey including Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffons, Crested Serpent, Black and Bonelli's Eagle. 2 species of jays, 2 of blue magpies, 2 of treepies, 2 of minivets, 2 of orioles. Dark-sided, Verditer, Grey-headed Canary and Asian Paradise Flycathcers. 4 species of drongos. Brown Dipper, Blue-caped Rock Thrush, Blue Whistling Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Blackbird. Plumbeous Redstart. Grey Bushchats and nesting Common Stonechats.

Nesting Chestnut-tailed Starling and Jungle Mynas. Chestnut-bellied and White-tailed Nuthatches, Eurasian and Bar-tailed Treecreepers.

Tits included Spot-winged, Great, Green-backed, Black-lored and Black-throated. Commonest swallow was Red-rumped (nesting).

5 species of laughingthrushes including White-throated, Rufous-chinned and Chestnut-crowned.

Puff-throated and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babblers.

Rufous Sibias, nesting Russet Sparrows, displaying (dance and song) Upland Pipits, White-rumped Munias, Black & Yellow Grossbeaks.

Special thanks to Dr Sudhir for his bird-spotting talent.

I strongly recommend birders and bird photographers to visit this route full of birds.

Regards,

Suresh C Sharma

Some images by Surat Singhji Poonia from Tal Chhapar

2010-05-02T08:24:00.002+05:30

This is a great documentation by Pooniajia. Papa Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse wets his specially modified belly feathers in water, comes back to the nest and both chicks sucks water from the feathers. April 2010.
Quite funny, Eurasian Thick-knee and a Chinkara, 1st May 2010.
This Great Bittern has a great story. Was seen inside the house of Mr Poonia. April 2010.
This looks like Eurasian Griffon.
Cobra.

Bhindawas Lake Bird Sanctuary on 17 Nov 09

2009-11-18T21:43:00.004+05:30

Nomad tribals passing through the sanctuary.

Purple Swamphens and Common Coots.

Great Cormorants and Black-headed Ibises nesting.

Crested Serpent-Eagle waiting for some slithing snake.

Oriental Honey-buzzard on a brick wall, on way to the sanctuary.

With my son Gaggu, I spent some hours at Bhindawas Lake on 17 Nov 09, Tuesday. Morning was foggy, but it cleared by noon. Wintering waterfowl has still not reached. Water hyacinth is a big menace. Dirt track around the lake is a shambles., lot of gullies. Staff is not interested, only two persons posted and they too were sitting in the rest house, no one bothers about the maintenance of the sanctuary.

Great Cormorants were looking after their babies in the nests, about a dozen of White-headed Ibises also on nests. A lonely Marsh Harrier, 2 aquila Eagles (possibly Imperial) in over head fight, Honey Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Shikra. Indian Eagle Owl, Spotted Owlet.

A disappointing visit.

Whistler's Warbler at Sultanpur Jheel - a new record

2009-11-16T19:13:00.002+05:30

Clive, Abhijit, Vijay Sethi, Pankaj Gupta and others watched two Whistler's Warblers at Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon on 15 Nov 09, Sunday. A record shot was posted by Vijay Sethi, which confirmed the ID without doubt.
This is not only a new addition for Sultanpur, but also a new record for the Delhi region.
Congrats to the delhibirders who reported this bird.

Sarus Crane on 14th Nov 09 - village pond

2009-11-15T14:53:00.006+05:30

What a handsome stonechat, though a little wary of my presence, obliged me with a good shot.

A female Danaid Eggfly Butterfly (Identified by Dr Surya Prakash). What is the meaning of a 'butterfly smile'?

Sarus Crane pair. I was told my two youngsters who are familiar with me that a pair was seen a few days before with two chicks. But today, only a pair! If this is the same parent pair, then what happened to the chicks?

This creature (Tiger Centipede according to Swapna Prabhu) was lying on the road, injured... dogs would come, sniff it and move away. My son Gaggu told me to put an end to the pains of the poor creature... and I obliged. Don't know, if I did good or bad, but it was out of compassion for this creature.

Spotted Creeper (by S.S. Poonia)

2009-11-05T18:44:00.002+05:30

This photograph of a very uncommon bird Spotted Creeper was taken by Ch. Surat Singh Poonia, a wildlife officer posted at Tal Chhapar, Rajasthan. He spotted the Spotted Creeper inside the Tal Chhapar sanctuary on 5th Nov 09. Pooniaji is a passionate birdwatcher and highly motivated officer. I am all admires for him. Within a short span of 3 months, he has spotted, photographed and informed the world about some rarities like Yellow-eyed Pigeons, Great Indian Bustard, Caspitan Plover, White-browed Bushchats etc from Tal Chhapar.

Brown Fish Owl - one more rarity in Haryana

2009-10-29T07:33:00.002+05:30

While walking along the largish canal near Gohana town, a big owl flying to and fro in the eucalyptus trees, feeling uncomfortable with me in his territory, eventually got settled in his perch across the canal. It was April 2007. This was not an uncommon owl till early 80s in suitable habitat in my countryside, always along the various branches of Western Yamuna Canal and Drain Number 8. I had seen this owl species nesting in Bhindwas Lake also. But in the last 20 years or so, this is the only sighting; perhaps in the entire Delhi region.

Tawny Eagle - extinct in the Delhi region and Haryana

2009-10-29T07:21:00.002+05:30

This is the Tawny Eagle which I had photographed in January 2007 in the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer. This resident eagle, was not uncommon in the Delhi/Haryana region till 70s, but today, it is extinct in these parts of the country.

Countryside this morning (25 Oct 09)

2009-10-25T19:57:00.002+05:30

Indian Roller's population is declining due to habitat loss and massive use of chemicals in the farming sector. Nice to see this one perched on electric wire.

This Rufous-tailed Shrike, was sitting next to the Indian Roller and when I was going to click, it emitted this tiny bomb. Sure, not out of fear of man.

White-tailed Lapwing, probably a pair, is a wintering migrant to my countryside.

Olive-backed Pipit, though could identify with certainty as it was perched high on the wire.

Two spiders in my house. Caught one in my camera. Don't know its name, though.

My village pond - Diwali morning

2009-10-17T14:30:00.003+05:30

Flowery heads of the tall grasses (Kaans) alluring the weavers and the sparrows.

Some kind of wild rice nourishing Black-headed Munias.

National Bird - looking sad at the noise pollusion on the Diwali.

Woolly-necked Stork - does not trust the mankind.

These are Great Cormorants flying southwards from the North.

My village pond this morning

2009-10-11T15:40:00.004+05:30

I spent about 2 hours this morning scanning my village pond at Fatehpur village. Water has subsided substantially, water lilies are at their obliging best. Was delighted to see 2 Black-necked Storks, 2 Painted, a few Woolly-necked also, but Openbill were absent. Cormorants were drying their wings, lot of herons. On the peepal tree, I did see a Siberian Chiffchaff, vociferous Clamourous Reed Warblers, Lesser Whitethroats, a few Little Grebes enjoying their 'dive and show up' behaviour. Surprisingly, no tern. Flying Oriental Skylarks pouring melodies from the heavens.

Many weavers were making noise in the tall grasses. By the end of the months, their clouds will be very conspicuous, flying here and there feeding on the flowery heads of these grasses.

Water Lily, small lotus, was the dominant flower of the pond.

This Little Grebe was quite confiding and allowed me to take many a photograph.

Black-necked Stork, a local rarity - there were two of them.

Forgot the name of this butterfly - Peacock Pansy?

This Long-tailed Shrike was quite noisy.

Sarus Cranes in Sonepat

2009-10-10T16:21:00.001+05:30

Sarus Cranes in flight.

Common Ravens and its races in our region

2009-10-09T11:27:00.001+05:30

Village Pond, Fatehpur (Sonepat) on 3rd Oct 09

2009-10-03T17:02:00.003+05:30

A walk on the earthen bund produced lot of birds. Quite dense spread of the flowering water lilies, presence of ducks, herons, cormorants, a pair of Sarus Cranes, 3 species of storks, small waders, moorhens made the pond very attractice. Lot of chattering, chirping, squqwking, trilling and cheeping calls. Scaly-breasted Munias still nesting - football like nest, I saw three birds near it; while one entered the hole, the otherone came close and peeped into it.
On the electricity transmission line passing over the nearby Delhi Canal (a sub-branch of Western Yamuna Canal) produced lot of birds. A pair of Crested Kingfishers (male is to the left with two breast bands, while the female is to the right with one breast band) were perched, lot of Streak-throated Swallws. I also saw a few Barn Swallows.

Out of the three resident species of kingfishers in my area, the Common Kingfisher is the least common and a jewel. I saw it today.

I saw Indian Silverbills, Scaly-breasted Munias, Red Avadavats and this one "Black-headed Munia" which the least common.

Behaviour of Painted Storks indicates that they are about to nest.

Panipat Refinery on 28 Sep 09

2009-09-28T16:35:00.002+05:30

The wetland of Panipar Refinery attract remarkable concetration of waterfowl during winter. Today, I saw 14 species of raptors here including Eurasian Hobby; Booted and Indian Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagles, White-eyed Buzzard, Oriental Honey Buzzards, Osprey, Black-shouldred, Black and Brahminy Kites, Egyptian Vultures, Marsh Harrier, Common Kestrel and Shikras.

My village pond on 27 Sep 09

2009-09-27T13:27:00.002+05:30

Water Lily flower, Pond Heron, Golden Oriole.

I do not know the name of the insect who made this. But this looks wonderful, gluing the thorns around.

A village boy collecting Water Lily flowers on the request of Dr Sudhir Oswal who wants to plant them in the water pond of his farm house near Badkhal Lake, Faridabad.

Moustached Warbler

2009-09-27T12:45:00.003+05:30

This Moustached Warbler was chased by the nesting Streaked Weaver, but it managed to re-appear quite close to the nest.
This warbler is a shy and elusive bird, but obliged us with extended decent view.

At Mohamedabad fish pond, while watching birds with Nitu and Sudhir Oswal, I heard its call from the typha reed and quickly we spotted the warbler. After a few movements here and there in the reeds, the bird became restive and started preening its feathers with apparent pleasure.

A Streaked Weaver was nesting nearby in the reed and did not like the warbler's presence within 1 meter of its nest. The warbler was chased away, but it again turned up and began to inspect the weaver's nest from close quarters.

Lily Pond and birds

2009-09-21T19:56:00.004+05:30

House Sparrow (hen) collecting meals on a cow dung heap.
Not sure, looks like an African Geranium, growing along the canal banks.

Lily Pond - the best physician for a sick soul.

Indian Grey Hornbill - there was a pair on this Acacia nilotica tree, along the countryside road.

An Indian Roller to the left and an Indian Grey Hornbill to the right.

Openbill Stork, Brahminy Starling, European Roller, Eurasian Ring Dove and an Indian Pond Heron (probably electrocuted).

Spent morning hours looking for birds at my regular lily pond. Loverly white flowers, half a dozen Openbill Storks vigorously feeding by probing deep in the mud. A Shikra trying to chase away a noisy Rufous Treepie, two Red-rumped and several Streak-throated Swallows in the sky, a pair of Ring Dove peacefully sunning on a bush surrounded by water, grating call of a Blyth's Reed Warbler in the thorny trees, Spot-billed Ducks, two Shovelers, Indian Moorhens, White-breasted Waterhen crossing the dirt track, a pair of Grey Hornbills sharing a perch with an Indian Roller on a tree, 4 Brahminy Starlings + one Indian Robin + one female House Sparrow + one Pied Starling feeding on a cow duck heap near the village. Heard a Golden Oriole in the neem tree. European Roller obliged me with a long and close view.

Village ponds are full, grass is green and flowering

2009-09-19T17:35:00.002+05:30

I have yet to see Crested Serpent Eagle of this season, they usually arrive by September end and stay here till March end. Paddyfield are looking rich green, tall grass thickets along the ponds, the canals and the countryside roads are bursting in silky white flowers. Birds, particularly, sparrows, weavers will feed on the seeds of these flower heads towards the end of October, which will keep them well fed till February.

On a babul tree near the flooded paddyfield, I saw a pair of Spot-breasted Munias taking nesting material to their nest. Did hear their musical calls. A Sarus Pair in the paddyfield crouching low, Black Ibises in good numbers. This Little Cormorant looked pretty on a dry tree, trying to dry its wings. Lot of butterflies all around.

Dog eats Peacock

2009-09-17T22:53:00.003+05:30

Mohamedabad, Sonepat last winter - these are poor guys. They kill whatever comes their way, and dogs assist them.

Last winter, village Bayanpur, Sonepat.

After the rains - countryside, 13th Sep 09.

2009-09-13T16:50:00.005+05:30

The juvenile Indian Spotted Eagle has now nearly grown up and ready for the maidan jump off the nest.

Electricity transsmission line passing over the canals, near the bridge, is a favourite perch for the Streak-throated Swallows.

Eurasian Marsh Harrier, adult male, probing the inaundated crops for meal.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana and the chick.

Lovely creature. This greenish insect enjoying juice of the lush green vegetation.

Can someone name this insect? Isn't this beautiful !

Village pond full of water, this one belongs to Fatehpur village, Sonepat.

This Black-breasted Weaver was getting agitated, over his nest.

Juvenile of Indian Spotted Eagle, preening with pleasure.

Laughing Dove enjoying the rains

2009-09-12T17:31:00.002+05:30

Moderate to heavy rains in Sonepat, outing out of the realms of feasibility. Was delighted to see this Laughing Dove enjoying the rains.

Armchair Birding - Home - Brown Rock Chat

2009-09-10T12:18:00.002+05:30

Brown Rock Chat - look at the left foot, some problem.

Brown Rock Chat - this one is a second individual.

Brown Rock Chat - at least something to eat.

Brown Rock Chat - some insect to beak upon.

Brown Rock Chat - looking at me.

Incessant rains since last evening kept me indoors. I love cloudy weather. A pair of Brown Rock Chat landed in my yard. I picked my camera to take a few snaps. Both individuals can be identified by the legs - one has some type of swelling in its left foot.

Mohamedabad Pond - Storks on 8th September 09

2009-09-08T19:07:00.004+05:30

Three Painted Storks came from the south, circle around for a while losing altitude and landed.

A Sind Sparrow picked something from the grass and flew to an Acacia nilotica tree nearby, could not photograph, but two of pied beauty were there - Black-winged Stilts.

Pond, trees, grass and birds - fill my heart with a mystic fragrance.

Pied Cuckoo - in fact there were two of them, silently inspecting something underneath.

Plenty of water this morning. 36 Painted Storks, one was making noise by clapping his mandibles.

Such a delight to watch them, resting without any disturbance.

Oriental Honey Buzzard was circling overhead.

Black-necked Stork after a long time made its presence.

Common Greenshank silently feeding.

Burning fields and bird habitats

2009-08-29T15:17:00.002+05:30

These photographs were taken in May 2007, immediately after the wheat harvest was over. Farmers deliverately burn the leftovers in their fields. Grass, bush, shrub and tree covers also gets affected. This is also the nesting season for many resident bird species. Fire destroys many nests and chicks.

Strange plumage of a Common Kestrel

2009-08-22T14:33:00.002+05:30

On 15th February 2009, biking along the countryside road, I came across this dark looking raptor perched on a wire, later on it flew towards me and landed into a leafless peepal tree.

Intial impression was that of a Sooty Falcon or an Amur Falcon. But, later on it was identified as a Common Kestrel.

Heronry in a village, Sonepat

2009-08-15T19:46:00.002+05:30

In a small village pool, a few Cattle Egrets have successfully nested on the Prosopis juliflora. Name of the village was Nakloi.

Seepage marshes along the canals

2009-08-15T19:37:00.003+05:30

Black-breasted Weavers are nesting in the reeds along the canal. Here are some of the pix I took today. Black-breasted Weaver - how confiding!
This one is an adult Black-breasted Weaver - rain drops on the blades can be seen.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana in a marshy pool along the canal, today, near village Garhi Bala.

Nesting Birds along the Canals

2009-08-09T15:44:00.006+05:30

Here is the photo of the nest. Strange thing was that two Common Mynas were also flying behind a parent eagle and when both eagles left the nest, the mynas perched nearby looking around silently. I think that the eagle might have caught a myna chick from their nest and brought it to feed to the baby eagle, so mynas were in fact looking for their own baby.

Indian Spotted Eagle nesting in Sonepat on an eucalyptus tree, 45 feet above the ground along the Western Yamuna Canal on 15th August. While biking in the light drizzle, with my son Gaggu sitting behind, he spotted a raptor perched on a tree. I never dreamt that we would be watching a pair of Indian Spotted Eagles nest, with a chick inside and making some movement in the large nest. Took a few snaps.

Canal - Western Yamuna Canal - its branches

2009-08-09T15:39:00.003+05:30

Foot path/cart track along the canal in Sonepat, 9 August 2009.
These parths and nearby vegetation and seepage marsh provide nesting, roosting and feeding habitats to various birds.. But these fragmented but important bird habtiats are burnt during summer after the wheat harvest by the farmers/cattle grazers, resulting in total destructions of nests, nestlings, fledglings, chicks and other animal life.

Seepage Marsh along the Munak-Delhi Water Supply Channel, Sonepat, 9 August 2009. This kind of habitat is created by the seepage water of the canals and other irrigation channels. This provides suitable habitat to many species of birds. Prinias, Cisticolas, White-breasted Waterhens, Streaked and Black-breasted Weaver, Yellow-eyed Babblers nest there.

Bridge over the Munak-Delhi Water Supply Channel, Sonepat, 9 August 09. These bridges/culverts are used by Streak-throated Swallows in large number for building their nesting colonies. Sometimes, these are also used by White-browed Wagtails and Wire-tailed Swallows for nesting.

A recently constructed canal 'Munak-Delhi Water Supply Channel'
Sonepat, 9 August 2009. If suitable native species of trees and shrubs are planted along both sides of this channel, this can result in providing suitable habitats to many species of birds.

Delhi Branch of Western Yamuna Canal, Sonepat, 9 August 2009. Tall grasses and trees on the banks are bird-friendly.

Delhi Branch of Western Yamuna Canal, Sonepat, 9 August 2009. Indian Spotted Eagles, Red-necked Falcons, cormorants, mynas, babblers, crows have started nesting on eucalyptus growing along the canals.

Countryside

2009-08-09T13:30:00.003+05:30

Peafowls were enjoy rains. A few individual birds were resting atop the concrete houses in the villages, visible from the road. These two were foraging in the green paddy field.

15 August 09, overcast sky, light drizzle. On electric line, I saw large gathering of Rosy & Pied Starlings, Bank & Common Mynas, a few House Crows and one European Roller.

Sarus Crane family landing in a field near Bhatgaon village of Sonepat district on 23 December 2008. Seen from the road.

Sarus Cranes, same date, same site.

Gathering of the Sarus Cranes in a wheat field near Bhatgaon village of Sonepat on 23 December 2008, seen from the road.

15 Sarus Cranes can be seen, 3 others were nearby, same date, same site.

Drain Number Eight

2009-08-09T11:27:00.008+05:30

Grey Herons quite common in Drain Number Eight.

Little Heron is an uncommon resident breeder in the trees of Drain Number Eight.

Painted Stork is a fairly common bird in and around Drain Number Eight.

This is Diversion Drain Number 8 near Kharkhoda, Sonepat, Haryana. I began my birding here. In Sonepat district itself, it runs about 70 kms and then discharges into the Yamuna river.

Lot of birds in all seasons.

These two photographs were taken in December 2008.

Canal - Gurgaon Water Supply Channel in Sonepat

2009-08-09T11:05:00.006+05:30

Common Kingfisher on the edge of Gurgaon Water Supply Channel on 28 December 2009.

House Sparrows gleaning seeds on the dirt-track along the Gurgaon Water Supply Channel on 28 December 2009.

Indian Peafowl cock on the dirt-track along Gurgaon Water Supply Channel on 17 January 2009.

Indian Peafowl (male) on the edge of the Gurgaon Water Supply Channel, 17 January 2009.

On 10th March 2009, a pair of Sind Sparrow was making its nest on a tree in a field 50 meters from the Gurgaon Water Supply Channel with a small marshy patch underneath. Here is the female collecting nesting material.

The same pair on the nest, 10th March 2009.

A Black Ibis near the channel, 10th March 2009.

A female Black-ncekd Stork on the edge of a water pool near the Channel, 10th March 09.

A family of Black-necked Stork, a pair with 2 sub-adult birds, same place on 10th March 09.

Gurgaon Water Supply Channel originates in Sonepat at Kakroi village water regulator. Biking on the bikable dirt track between it and the adjacent Pai Irrigation Channel yields numerable bird species in all seasons. Photographed on 8th January 2009.

Sind Sparrow

2009-08-09T10:57:00.003+05:30

Sind Sparrow - female outside the nest in the tree

Same female Sind Sparrow on the tree.

Mohamedabad pond

2009-08-08T19:07:00.002+05:30

Sarus Crane on 15th Feb 09 in Mohamedabad Pond.

3 Sarus Cranes in Mohamedabad Pond on 15th February 2009.

Common Hoopoe gleaning food under the tree

Indian Silverbill pair huddling togehter on the tree

A cattle keeper with his cattle under the tree

Despite drought like situation this season, some rains have filled in the pond.

Two Little Cormorants resting after fishing on the green mounds.