[nilanjanray]

There are wild creatures living in each city. Perhaps a hundred feet away from that road you take every day when going to office. Or on a tree 50 feet away from your house.

I stay in East Bangalore, and can reach the outskirts after a 10 minute drive. After a tiring day, I often do short 20-25 minutes drives to clear my head. During those night drives I have come across hare and foxes and snakes. No photos, but it feels good to know that these creatures still thrive in spite of ongoing human encroachment. I have seen snakes crossing the road within our housing complex. I have had mongooses visit the garden multiple times a week, usually during the night.

Nowadays I have started visiting nearby parks or lakes, usually for practice before a serious wildlife trip. Sometimes the light can be interesting, and then any subject works for me. Am sharing a few photos that were shot within a radius of 3 km from my house.

Cormorant nest silhouetted against the 'about to set' sun


Time to fly. Starlings, shot with a low shutter speed to get the blurred wings


Kites during sunset


Shot during the blue hour


Nest


Black-headed ibis. About to settle down for the night


Reflections of the late afternoon sun


Chinese fighter planes attacking during sunset. Shot with a low shutter speed.


Purple moorhen. And the snake. And the fish in the mouth of the snake.


Birds #Hitchcock #starlings


Enjoying the rain. Old shot, taken outside my house


A snake bird/darter flies across the late afternoon sun


An evening monochrome shot #highiso


Reflections


Ibis silhouette


Argument? Bonding? Are they mutually exclusive? Shot against the setting sun


Painted stork


Post-sunset hues


Green and brown


Pastel sky

[Thad E Ginathom]

Beautiful photos: looking forward to more

[NPV]

Excellent thread and pictures, thanks for sharing. Hope you have lots more in store for us

Coincidentally, came across this article in today's newspaper which is relevant to this thread topic.

New Otter Species discovered on Bangalore's outskirts - Indian Express, Bangalore 31 May 2017

A new species of Otter has been discovered in Bengaluru. The smooth-coated Otter has been captured in camera traps in the forests of Roerich Estate on Kanakapura Road.
...

Trivia - Roerich Estate is a beautiful farm owned by the late artist Svetoslav Roerich and his wife Devika Rani.

[nkrishnap]

Our surroundings have so much to offer. Thanks for bringing this up. Looking forward to more pics.

[gadadhar]

Great shots, snake with fish in mouth is a gem. It shows Bangalore has so much to offer if you are willing to explore

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Beautiful photos: looking forward to more

Thanks Thad

Originally Posted by NPV

Excellent thread and pictures, thanks for sharing. Hope you have lots more in store for us

Coincidentally, came across this article in today's newspaper which is relevant to this thread topic.

New Otter Species discovered on Bangalore's outskirts - Indian Express, Bangalore 31 May 2017

Trivia - Roerich Estate is a beautiful farm owned by the late artist Svetoslav Roerich and his wife Devika Rani.

Thanks. Roerich was in the news a while back for wrong reasons. Do they allow guests? Don't think so.

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

Our surroundings have so much to offer. Thanks for bringing this up. Looking forward to more pics.

Thanks. Pinged you on your thread.

[The Brutailer]

Beautiful pics. You have some serious skills brother! Loved the nest and reflections.

If you don't mind, may I know the location of these pics? Thanks!

[gearhead_mait]

Wow! Your travelogues are always accompanied by exceptional wildlife photos. This time you proved that without even going to any National Parks or Sanctuaries, a true eye for Wildlife can bring the same charm from anywhere. A big thumbs up!

[prasadee]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

There are wild creatures living in each city. Perhaps a hundred feet away from that road you take every day when going to office. Or on a tree 50 feet away from your house.

Thank you! Very refreshing to see pics of bird life in Bengaluru lakes. I grew up swimming in Putenahalli lake, and Sarakki lake. It broke my heart to see Bengaluru lakes on fire, and toxic fumes being shown on international TV in the last week. These are some great snaps of amazing bird life that deserves to be saved. Keep the passion going, and spread the joy!

[Stryker]

Very nice, Nilanjan. Some animals and birds are so adaptable that they have managed to survive (nay, thrive) in this crowded concrete jungle of ours. That Planet Earth II episode on cities is an eye opener on just how many of these beautiful creatures have managed this transition to perfection. Love that Moorhen/Snake/Fish shot. I'd like to hear the story behind that one.

[feluda86]

Excellent photos! Please keep updating this thread for our viewing pleasure. May I know what equipment you use?

[sub.g84]

Lovely clicks. You just gave me some new ideas for my instagram clicks.

Thanks for sharing.

[Venkat_Figo]

Great photography skills, you sure have an eye for catching those spectacular moments.
I felt very relaxed after looking at these pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Wildlife in Bangalore: A Question!

Mt wife just spent a couple of weeks there on family duties. She loved the climate, and caught the right weeks to be away from Chennai. But one thing she noticed was a lack of crows. Do you people really not have a city full of crows? Then why do we? Is it because there is less rubbish on the streets there?

[Stryker]

Thad, I'm not sure which part of the city your wife visited. Where I live, Vijayanagar in West Bangalore, I wake up everyday to the sound of crows, a lot of crows sometimes, making me want to get out and start throwing stones at them. I don't notice garbage beyond the normal levels near my home too, but we have a whole lot of trees this side of the city. Maybe that is a factor.