Village ponds are full, grass is green and flowering

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.