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| This was the way it was. No colour filter! Photo by Rags. See the entire set of pictures here. |
Our Beach Birders team from the coast
decided to bird for half a day, at the most.
With binos and books we took to the Bird Race.
It was the refreshments that set the leisurely pace!
A gorgeous sunrise, such as I had never seen before
but wait, Pallikaranai had much more in store!
Swamp hens, egrets and stilts galore
the cormorants and ducks creating a furore.
A lone Ruff, Pelicans landing one by one
Stints in aerial ballet, it seemed, just for fun.
Bobbing sandpipers, the prinias chirping
meditative herons and jacanas preening.
Unmindful of the garbage and stench were they
"A poor sense of smell", the experts say.
A news crew arrived in the meantime from afar
and before we knew it, Rags was a TV star!
Watched the spot bills and pintails and teals flypast.
We decided to move on after a coffee-and-sandwich repast.
To Sholinganallur wetlands, past the toll, we drove
and Fulvous Whistling Ducks we saw, by jove!
Kelambakkam backwaters by midday we did drop by.
Blue waters, a breeze, the sun high in the sky.
It was time for the biggies the thermals to ride
Painted storks and Pelicans, side by side.
A few Terns winged without intent
their low numbers, to me, a disappointment.
But a family of curlews did give us a sneak peek
as they fished in the mud with their overlong beaks.
Happy and hot and tired were we
as we headed home, Sheila, Rags, Ammu and me!
but for the Emerald Doves, an Orphean Warbler did sing!
Bridled Terns logged 121, our tally 59
but with the fun and company, that suited me fine!
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The fifth Chennai Bird Race held on Sunday Jan 22nd.
The TOI new report has a few errors. The winning team of Vikas was Bridled Tern. And he spotted an eagle not an owl!
The IE report - Students create a buzz at CBR.
The Hindu report - Feathered friends
The Jacana Junkies were at the third edition in 2010.
That is a great shot of the sun setting with a reflection of the water. Sounds like a fun filled day of observations.
ReplyDeleteBird watching brings out the bard in you!
ReplyDelete3 cheers
Rags
Rohrebot, it was a sunrise actually - and it was the most fabulous one that I have seen, I can tell you.
ReplyDeleteRags, thanks for capturing it for eternity! And "bard" is an overstatement, silly rhymester more like it!
what a glorious sunrise and agree ...birdwatching does brings out the bard in you :)
ReplyDelete