Viraj Karekar's Nature and Wildlife Photography: February 2021

The Indian state of Karnataka has 563 bird species within its boundaries. The birds of some parts of Karnataka have been well studied. Uttara Kannada (known as North Kanara) district was surveyed by James Davidson for five years between 1888 and 1896 (341 species) while parts of this district along with several sites in Belgaum district were covered for three months by Walter Norman Koelz in 1938 (232 species). Salim Ali, in his historic survey of Mysore state (343 species), covered much of southern and central Karnataka and Major Phythian-Adams covered parts of Mysore and provided the only records of several uncommon species. Frederick Nicholson Betts covered Kodagu (Coorg) district, then disjunct from Mysore, and provides good documentation of several birds (279 species) of the Western Ghats. Hence, by 1970, when modern field ornithology and amateur bird-watching were popularised through the Newsletter for Birdwatchers, a moderate level of documentation had taken place in several parts of Karnataka. The only grey area that remained unexplored was the north eastern parts of the state, which was part of the state of Hyderabad then. Salim Ali, during this Hyderabad State Ornithology Survey, could not visit these parts as the survey had to be cut short due to financial challenges. An extract from the Wikipedia.

The Indian grey hornbill with a shorter casque. Waited for about 6 years to capture this.. It is mostly arboreal and has grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly. The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending to the point of curvature of the horn. Captured at Ranganthittu, Mandya, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

The Indian grey hornbill (Ocyceros birostris). It is mostly arboreal and has grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly. The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending to the point of curvature of the horn. Captured at Ranganthittu, Mandya, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Woolly Necked Stork.. This was captured at Nagarahole, Karnataka. Camera is Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Eyes Speak.... Spot-billed Pelican at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Woolly Necked Stork.. This was captured at Nagarahole, Karnataka. Camera is Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens

A portrait of Tickell's blue flycatcher. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Tickell's blue flycatcher. This was a tricky spot as the flycatcher was way far in between the leaves. There was a very minute gap between which I had to captured this image. That's the reason why you see all green being blurred.. This is one of the favourite images for me from my collection.. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

A portrait of Dr. Salim Moizuddin Abdul Ali (12 November 1896 – 20 June 1987) which i made during my school days (8th Standard). He was an Indian ornithologist and naturalist. Sometimes referred to as the "Birdman of India", Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India.

Woolly Necked Stork with its nictitating membrane. The membrane rests at the front edge of the eye and sweeps backward to clean and moisten the cornea. When pulled across the eyeball, the membrane still allows a bird to see due to its transparent (or at least translucent) nature. This was captured at Nagarahole, Karnataka. Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Woolly Necked Stork.

The Crimson-Backed Sunbird. It is a sunbird endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Like other sunbirds, they feed mainly on nectar although they take insects, especially to feed their young. They are tiny birds that are resident and are found in forests but are particularly attracted to gardens at the edge of the forest where people grow suitable flower-bearing plants. They usually perch while taking nectar. Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens. Captured at the Nagarahole forest, Karnataka.

The Crimson-Backed Sunbird.

The Olive-backed Sunbird, also known as the Yellow-bellied sunbird. Like other sunbirds, they feed mainly on nectar although they take insects, especially to feed their young. They are tiny birds that are resident and are found in forests but are particularly attracted to gardens at the edge of the forest where people grow suitable flower-bearing plants. They usually perch while taking nectar. Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens. Captured at the Nagarahole forest, Karnataka.

The Grey Wagtail... Like other wagtails, they frequently wag their tail and fly low with undulations and they have a sharp call that is often given in flight. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Grey Wagtail..

The Grey Heron during flight. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

A Pelican during flight. I love the dense green texture in the background. Photograph is not just the subject itself. It is also the climate, landscape, and the activities in the background. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Pelicans during flight. I love the dense green texture in the background. Photograph is not just the subject itself. It is also the climate, landscape, and the activities in the background. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Glossy Ibis during flight.. This was the image I had planned and luckily got to capture. Had to increase the exposure as it was very cloudy. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

The Grey Heron.

A Pelican landing. Reminds me of the blades of the plan when it breaks the speed during its landing.

The Grey Heron.

Glossy Ibis. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Painted Stork at Jakkur Lake, Bangalore

Looking at me!! I am the Ashy Prinia. Also known as Ashy Wren-warbler.

The Ashy Prinia with a spider kill. Also known as Ashy Wren-warbler.

The Ashy Prinia. Also known as Ashy Wren-warbler.

Grey-headed Swamphen

Spot billed pelican diving to drink water during a flight at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Drinking water during its flight!! Spot-billed Pelican at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Spot billed pelican drinking water during flight at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Eurasian Spoonbill at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Openbill at Ranganthittu

Grey Heron at flight

A closer look at the great Pelican frozen while gliding over the lake. It was pretty relaxing to get a sharp image of this huge bird during its flight.

Painted stork carrying the nesting material at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens

Openbills taking care of its nest at Ranganthittu. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Spot billed pelican after drinking water at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

I love the different colors within the trees, the crocodiles on the rocks (4 in total) in the middle, and the floating tree on the right side. this makes a beautiful landscape of the Cauvery River at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Painted storks drinking water at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Painted stork at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Painted storks at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Openbill at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Mugger Crocodile at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Open bill and eagles at fight for nesting, at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

An image i would like to admire always. One picture capturing variety of species with the Mugger Crocodile walking. It was first time i got to capture this crocodile in action. Amazing nature. Picture captured at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Mugger Crocodiles at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Who can open the mouth bigger!! Mugger Crocodiles with Painted storks at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

An image i would like to admire always. One picture capturing variety of species from the wild and birds - with 2 Mugger Crocodiles, 2 Openbills, 3 Painted storks, one Spoonbill and one Night Heron, with such a beautiful landscape. Amazing nature. I had nothing more to ask for. Photography is not only about the subject. It's about capturing the colors in the background, the landscape, the sunlight, water, and the surroundings. Picture captured at Ranganthittu, Karnataka.

Photography is not only about the subject. It's about capturing the colors in the background, the landscape, the sunlight, water, and the surroundings. Here is a tiny Wagtail which was wandering on a rock in the middle of the Cauvery River, at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. It was pretty difficult to capture this, as I was in a boat which was moving and the Wagtail was very restless wandering and hopping around the rock. It's challenging to get a pinpoint image of the tiny one in such conditions at 600mm zoom. Could capture the frame i was looking for. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Painted stork carrying the nesting material at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Painted storks at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Black Crowned Night Heron's along with Mugger Crocodiles at Ranganthittu. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Painted storks at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Open bill taking care of eggs at Ranganthittu, Karnataka. Captured with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.

Wood Sandpiper is a small wader. This Eurasian species is the smallest of the shanks, which are mid-sized long-legged waders. They feed mainly on aquatic insects and their larvae and molluscs in moist or dry mud. Wood Sandpipers are more numerous in the north than the south of Australia and are also found in New Guinea, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and South-east Asia. They breed widely across the north of Europe and Asia, mostly in Scandinavia, Baltic countries and Russia. They are the most abundant migratory wader in non-coastal areas of Asia. Captured at Jakkur lake, Bangalore with Nikon D850 + Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lens.