Bird Series - Indian Pond Heron

One more comical  bird which I endear facial expressions :-). Most of that time they feed on fishes and hence commonly found near waterbodies. During monsoon season, I have seen them over abandoned fields filled with water to pick the bugs may be. They also feed on insects in dry fields sometimes. I have never seen then swimming or wading through water. Their camouflage is difficult to identify. At times, they flew away from short distance and I was unaware till it took flight. More than anything, I love their expressions :-D. Their perch over ground or squint during human presence is perfect to scribble short skits. Here are some of the pictures caught at my village. They are easy to capture in 300mm lens unless you don't stare at them. The size of their body is good to grab sharper images with crisp catchlight.

Checkout my notional scribble on Pond Heron here

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Bird Series - Grey Heron

Why this one before Indian pond heron? This bird was majestically perched on a twig at Hosaadu backwaters which motivated me to post this bird post prior to pond heron. The bird stood motionless with just face movements occasionally. I thought it was aiming its prey, but its eye was towards open region. Probably, the direction of face changed due to my arrival to find an escape route :-). The evening sunlight provided perfect light to capture this mighty bird. They stay near to waterbody which means they feed on fishes and other connected preys. Their long bill and feet somewhat looks scary to me. I fear sometimes they would strike even humans :-D. But in my experience here at my village, I can say that these are quite shy. Due to their larger body structure, the pictures come out in detail even with 300mm focal length. The catch light too is easy to shoot due to the contrast between body and eye colours. Here are pictures without delay. Plenty of them from same perch position.

Looks like that moron can' t walk near to me. Let me resume my hunting.

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Bird Series - Cattle Egret

It makes me laugh when I start scribbling about these creatures. They are found everywhere in our village and also in cities. They have prefix 'cattle' because majority of the day is spent running around cows and other domestic cattle. The way they pester cattle is just LOL :-D. I love their expressions and also have many notional posts dedicated to their facial looks. They are shy of-course when they see humans but strong when near the cattle while picking bugs. Even the cattle need their assistance to get rid of the bugs that reside on the body. I have seen these egrets near machinery especially during paddy harvesting and field cleaning. I guess, they find some bugs to eat when the ground gets cleared. They are brave to these machinery movements. Quite easy to shoot if they are used to you. I frequently stroll through fields to which they are now accustomed to. Hence I can capture them relatively closer but not touchable distance :-D. Cattle egrets enjoy rains. I have seen them picking bugs in rains. They perch over cattle which is funny to watch. I have seen many instances of them perching in flock over bland tree. There plenty of pictures in my collection with varying expressions. 

Their usual workplace

Some detailed shots when they were close

They search in between grassland as well

Finally few attempts catch them in-flight. Yet to grab a decent one though

Other blogs of egrets. Do visit them!

(i) Egret basking under sun 1

(ii) Egret basking under sun 2

(iii) Notional egret and cattle talk

Check out my Bird Series blogs here : NKBirdSeries