Behind the lens

a blog every Friday on a specific species of animal or bird and jungle lore

Species Directory

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Little Egret

The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) remains a quintessential subject for wildlife photographers across Telangana’s vibrant wetland ecosystems. Often referred to locally as Chinna Tella Konga, these graceful herons provide a dynamic photography experience as they "dance" through the shallows of urban and rural lakes.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #Kawal, #KawalTigerReserve, #hyticos, #nirmal, #wildtelangana, #telanganawildlife, #waterbodies, #littleegret, #egret, #Egrettagarzetta,

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Jungle Babbler

In the dry deciduous forests and urban fringes of Telangana, few avian encounters are as boisterous as a meeting with the Jungle Babbler (Argya striata). Locally known in parts of India as "Seven Sisters" (Sat Bhai), these gregarious birds are the soundtrack of the subcontinent's woodlands, characterized by their constant, wheezy chatter and bustling social structure.

#wildartworks, #canon, #CanonWildlife, #naturephotography, #TelanganaWildlife, #nallamalaforestrange, #achampet, #boath, #kawaltigerreserve, #amrabadtigerreserve, #JungleBabbler, #babbler

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Streaked Weaver

Finding and photographing the Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar) is an exercise in exploring vibrant wetland ecosystems. Often overshadowed by the more common Baya Weaver, the Streaked Weaver is a resident species specialized in reedy habitats near water bodies. I found and photographed these weavers near the banks of the Godavari River. The massive Sri Ram Sagar Reservoir serves as a critical habitat for various bird species, especially during the monsoon and winter months.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #Kawal, #KawalTigerReserve, #hyticos, #nirmal, #wildtelangana, #telanganawildlife, #streakedweaver, #weaver, #weaverbird, #reedhabitat, #waterbodies, #sriramsagarreservoir,

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Purple Heron

In Telangana, finding the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) often requires patient observation in dense, freshwater wetlands like those near the Ameenpur Lake or the Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary. Unlike the bolder Gray Heron, this species is a master of camouflage within reed beds.

#wildartworks #canon #Wildlife #birdphotography #natgeoindia #conservationphotography #indian_wildlifes #indianwildlifeofficial #wildlifeonearth #planet_untamed_magazine #bbcearth #natgeowild #birdsofthedeccan #manjeera #sungeibuloh #ranganathittubirdsanctuary #bhigwanbirdsanctuary #ammavaripetcheruvu #kudikuntalake #kantegaonlake #Boath #kistareddypetlake #purpleheron #heron #heronconservation

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A Night under the Stars - Kantegaon Lake

Kantegaon Lake, in Boath Buzurg, offers a serene escape from city light pollution, providing a magnificent, unobstructed view of the cosmos. One can expect to see a sky full of shining stars and during its season, on clear nights, potentially the Milky Way.

Camping at the lakeside is a popular activity, allowing for a peaceful overnight stay in well-maintained, clean tents with cozy amenities. The experience is often complemented by a warm campfire and a barbecue dinner, where friends and family can share stories and laughter in a tranquil, natural environment. The quiet atmosphere of the lake, away from urban noise, ensures a truly relaxing retreat, with the soothing sounds of water and nature enhancing the experience. These organized camps even offer guided stargazing sessions with powerful telescopes and expert naturalists.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #PromediagearTR424L, #MilkyWay, #MilkyWayPhotography, #Longexposure, #ETTR, #LightPollution, #MilkyWayTimelapse, #LongExposureTimelapse, #Timelapse, #Astrophotography, #TelanganaDarkSkies, #TelanganaAstrophotography, #WildSoundWorks, #Bortle3, #Bortle3MilkyWay, #fallingmeteor, #boath, #BNCS, #BoathNatureConservationSociety, #TSFD, #TelanganaStateForestDepartment, #PranayThodishetty, #SiddharthaMukherjee, #Telangana,

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Common Sandpiper

The Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) is a small, migratory wader known for its constant head-and-tail bobbing motion. It breeds across Europe and Asia, wintering in warmer climes like Mokila, Telangana, and Sungei Buloh, Singapore.

Adaptable to both freshwater and coastal habitats, it forages for insects and invertebrates in shallow water and mud. A largely solitary bird during migration, the Common Sandpiper is a widespread species whose conservation depends on preserving the global network of wetlands it utilizes during its remarkable annual journey.

#wildartworks #canon #wildlife #wildlifephotography #birdphotography #CommonSandpiper #ActitisHypoleucos #Shorebirds #MigratoryBirds #WetlandConservation #Mokila #Telangana #IndiaWildlife #SungeiBuloh #SingaporeWildlife #Birdwatching #Ornithology #WildlifePhotography #TeeteringWader #BirdMigration #AvianWorld #NatureLovers #WetlandsInternational #GlobalMigration

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Grey-headed Swamphen

A very large bluish-purple waterbird with a red bill and forehead shield, as well as red legs and feet with long toes. The tail is flicked up often, revealing fluffy white “underpants.” Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the red bill and shield. An inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups. Feeds, often clumsily, at muddy water edges, in reeds, and on floating vegetation. Makes short nasal grunts and croaking sounds. Formerly part of the species known as Purple Swamphen.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Bird, #Birdinginthewild, #BirdWatching, #Wildlife, #WildBirds, #naturephotography, #your_best_birds, #planetbirds, #earthcapture, #photo_pond, #earthpix, #naturyst, #conservationphotography, #yesbbcearth, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, @globalcapture, #india, #telanganabirds, #kawaltigerreserve, #hyticos

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Whiskered Tern

The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a small buoyant 'marsh' tern in the family Laridae that superficially resembles the Common Tern, but is stockier and with a less forked tail. The breeding adult has a distinctive dark smoky gray body & contrasting white cheeks (which can look like broad white "whiskers" in flight) underneath a black cap. The non-breeding plumage is a pale silvery gray overall with a faded shadow of the cap. Note the rather stout bill (albeit thinner than Gull-billed Tern) and square tail. It feeds by picking from the surface, not splash-diving like typical terns. Common around wetlands, lakes, and rivers.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Bird, #Birdinginthewild, #BirdWatching, #Wildlife, #conservationphotography, #bhigwan, #BhigwanBirdSanctuary, #Kumbhargaon, #ujnibackwaters, #whiskeredtern, #tern, #marshtern,

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