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Always behave like a duck.
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Keep calm and unruffled on the surface, but paddle like hell underwater.
I have been enjoying bird watching from my balcony since Feb end and during lockdown it has been my source of joy & hope. Some of the species that I have spotted are found on an everyday basis; some are visitors; some are migratory; some flyovers. I have already shared a trivia on two species, the Asiatic Parakeets which are both visitors & flyovers; and the flyover migratory Rosy Starlings
The flyovers are a challenge to photograph. It requires me to crane my neck in all four direction from my third floor balcony, which is mammoth task given the limited view and focus range. Am practically always looking up in the sky while trying to keep vigil all around. With these flighty friends its like “blink and you miss me” and Lord it happens to me more often I would want it to.
I keep telling the birds to fly lower, stop & perch themselves on top of the Semal tree or sit closer so that I get a decent capture but in vain hahahhaha. Nevertheless the birds are a blessing from above and I love the fact they can be seen all around from the comfort of home.
Today I am sharing a trivia on the Indian Spot-Billed Duck which fly over very quietly and fast, early in the morning or around sunset (which means there is less light) and more often than not there is a silhouette that gets captured. Once in a blue moon I am lucky to catch them in some light. Neither do they come daily nor do they adhere to a consistent flying direction. Which means if they have been flying East to West today does not mean the same will be the case the next time too. This adds to the challenge of spotting them on time and being able to click them within 2-6 secs.
There are three types or subspecies of Spot Billed, the Indian Spot-Billed duck (Anas Poecilorhyncha Poecilorhyncha), Eastern Spot-Billed duck (Anas Poecilorhyncha Zonorhyncha), and Burmese Spot-Billed duck (Anas Poecilorhyncha Haringtoni). The Indian Spot-Billed is a freshwater (dabbling) duck. It is large with a greyish brown body. The juveniles are browner and duller than adults.
The black bill with yellow tip and orange-red spots at the base is a distinct feature in the male and is absent or inconspicuous in the smaller but otherwise similar female. Another feature to check is the teal green patch bordered by white in its wings. The legs and feet are bright orange to coral red.
I still capture them and look out for them. Hopefully I will get a clearer and closer frame of theirs’s one day!
…… and I did get a closer capture of them in their habitat. The following photos are from the Hauz Khas Lake (December 2020)
Do watch out for the next post on another species from my #BalconyBirding list
Posts shared so far on:
1. Rosy Starlings
2. Alexandrine Parakeet
3. Rose-Ringed Parakeet
4. Plum Headed Parakeet
5. Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
6. Indian Spot-Billed Duck
Enjoy a video on them on my YouTube Channel (Subscribe if you haven’t)
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HAPPY TRAVELLING!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe
This published post is being shared as part of:
#WordlessWednesday hosted by Natasha & Esha
and some more Sue , Betty , Zina
O such interesting birding experience which only another birder can feel (the pain and the joy). Take care of your neck as you have to keep ‘craning’ to share with us your lovely experiences. 💞
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Thank you ✨🙏🏻✨
So true Sarmistha 💖 the misses are ☹️☹️ but the hits make up for them ….but at a price; loads of patience, tanning, heat & sweat and pain 😆😆😆
yes am doing my best in taking care as it triggers my spondo and arm pain once in a while.
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You got some great flight shots! The birds don’t listen to me either … even when they do land they wont stay still long enough for me to get a good picture. (I have a lot of pictures of sky and trees “where the birds used to be.”
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Sallie I can relate to your situation . It happens to me most of the time. These shots are after a lot of misses. Let’s hope our prayers are heard and that they happily model for us 🤞🏻😍💓
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That is one wondrous sighting.
Love the efforts you make to capture these beauties.
Have a great new week, Monika.
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Thanks Natasha ✨ I feel lucky with the sightings 🤞🏻
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First and foremost question – Which place is this where one can spot these birds from the comfort of the balconies? This doesn’t happen to most people because most of the balcony people can only vouch to spot pigeons. I used to host a maternity ward for the pigeons in my balcony, not that I desired it. Those pigeons were quite aatmnirbhar themselves. The kiddo believes we used to raise pigeons generation after generation.
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Hahaha …… We have plenty of pigeons too, much to my dismay. I keep shooing them away.
This balcony is in Delhi 😍 I never fail to thank God for his blessings.
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Wonderful captures!
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Thank you Deepak ✨🦆✨
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Heisann, amazing, and lovely shoots! They are great!!!! We have some Canada-goose nearby Lia where we spend our days off. I WILL TRY TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS next time we visit the place!
https://no.pinterest.com/bjorgnin/lia-our-place-in-telemark/
HAVE A NICE WEEK ;:OD)
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Heisann! Thank you so much. I did check your Pinterest account. Lovely photos of the farmhouse. Will look forward to the Canada goose through your clicks. Have a fantastic weekend!
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Thanks for this lovely, informative post. Even in our crowded cities, we have so much non-human life if only we look and empathize. Kudos to you!
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Thank you Vineeta 💞……… The non human life is so beautiful and full of joy, only if we pause, see and accept them with love . I feel delighted to be a part of it in my own small way. Not to forget your love for them too 💝
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Wow! very nice photos!
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Living on a pond, I am a duck watcher and they are very swift fliers and I hope it helps them to evade the hunters..lovely photos..
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Thank you Michele 💗 their big body can be misleading as they are very agile & swift. The first time I saw them fly across I could not believe it. I have never noticed them before. Maybe they were lost in the din of metro cities & hazy skies.
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What a wonderful way to make the best of things.
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Thank you ✨ we must enjoy opportunities life sends to us 💓
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WOW! These photos are incredible! And from your balcony too!
Happy Thursday, Monika!
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Thanks Veronica! Yes me, my balcony and my birds. That’s my me time for the day 🙂
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Now, that’s my kind of birding–from the balcony (and possibly in my pjs!) You got some great images.
I am excited to see your corner at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week! Thanks for linking up.
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You bet Betty….. in PJs and all relaxed 🙂
Thank you so much for appreciating!
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Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/06/48-years-with-this-guy.html. I hope you are safe and well and that life is beginning to return somewhat toward normal.
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Lovely captures, Monika.
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Thank you so much ✨
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I simply loved them. I wish I were a bird…
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Rightly said …… To fly free and high up in the sky amidst clouds like a bird 💙🦆🤍🦆
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Monika, you did an amazing photography through balcony. Bird watching and capturing them in your camera would be so soothing locked inside the house for a traveller.
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Ohhhh Deeksha that is a bliss hour. It’s just me, my camera & nature. Thank you for all the love & motivation 🦆❤️🦆❤️🦆
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I love ducks very much and I like that I met them again in your photos. Thanks for sharing!
Have a fine day, Monika!
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They have a charm of their own, don’t they. I am so happy you struck a chord with the ducks. 🦆🦆 Have a happy week ahead Zinaida ✨
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Lovely pilots! Beautiful images from your balcony! The perspective is fabulous!
Thank you for sharing them!
All the best and Happy WW!
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Thank you dear Suzana ❤️
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