Behind the lens

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

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

Purple Sunbird

Early mornings over the scrub forests of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve provide a fantastic opportunity to study a tiny bird with iridescent feathers. High on a skeletal branch of a teak tree, a tiny silhouette shakes off the dawn chill. As the first ray of the Telangana sun cuts through the canopy, the drab, dark bird suddenly transforms. It erupts into an electric shimmer of metallic blues, deep purples, and glossy blacks. This is the male Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus), a living gemstone of the Indian subcontinent.

From the wild, deciduous expanses of Amrabad to the bustling, urban wetlands of Hyderabad—like Ameenpur Lake and the suburban oasis of Kudikunta Lake—this resilient avian wanderer navigates a changing world. This is the story of its life, its identity, and its struggle against a vanishing landscape.

#wildartworks, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #conservationphotography, #yesbbcearth, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #india, #ananthagiri, #ameenpurlake #amrabadtigerreserve, #purplesunbird, #sunbird

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

Indian Pied Myna/ Asian Pied Starling

From deep within the Amrabad Reserve, the Nallamala Hills rise in the distance like ancient, slumbering giants. A flash of stark black and white cuts through the dry deciduous canopy. It wasn't the majestic stride of a Bengal tiger, nor the cautious leap of a chital. Instead, it was a sharp, dapper bird that landed gracefully on a little mound of earth. With its crisp plumage resembling a finely tailored evening suit, the Indian Pied Myna (Gracupica contra) made its presence known through a sudden burst of liquid, musical whistles.

#wildartworks, #naturephotography, #conservationphotography, #yesbbcearth, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #india, #ananthagiri, #ameenpurlake #amrabadtigerreserve, #piedmyna, #indianpiedmyna, #myna

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

Magnificent Emperor Dragonfly/ Blue Darner

The Magnificent Emperor Dragonfly (Anax immaculatifrons), characterized by its vivid green thorax and sapphire-blue abdomen, is a significant apex insect predator thriving in the protected forest streams of Telangana. These 80–95 mm dragonflies, which rely on shaded, perennial aquatic environments, serve as crucial bio-indicators whose presence signals a healthy ecosystem now threatened by habitat degradation.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthpix, #naturyst, #conservationphotography, #yesbbcearth, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #india, #ananthagiri, #ananthagiriforestrange, #vikarabad, #amrabadtigerreserve, #magnificentemperordragonfly, #dragonfly,

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Asian Common Toad

The Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) is a resilient generalist across Telangana's forests. An explosive, monsoon-triggered breeder, its mating window lasts just 24–48 hours after first rains. To stand out in chaotic pools, males turn from dull brown to neon yellow for two days, helping identify females. Following an intense scramble for amplexus, females lay 40,000 eggs. However, climate change now disrupts this highly synchronized, weather-dependent cycle.

#WildArtWorks #AmrabadTigerReserve #TelanganaTourism #WildlifeConservation IndianCommonToad #IndiaBiodiversity #Toad #Amplexus #MatingBehaviour #monsoontriggeredbreeder #monsoonbreeder

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Common Bronzeback Tree Snake/ Daudin’s Bronzeback Tree Snake

The undergrowth of Telangana’s forests is a complex, multi-layered environment shaped by the harsh semi-arid climate & rugged sandstone terrains. A soft rustle stirs the leaf litter before transitioning into a fluid, almost weightless ascent up a low-hanging tree. Moving like a ribbon of liquid metal is the Common Bronzeback Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis tristis). This arboreal master of stealth navigates the fragmented dry woodlands of the Eastern Ghats, serving as a vital link in the region's rich biodiversity

#WildArtWorks #AmrabadTigerReserve #TelanganaTourism #WildlifeConservation #NallamalaHills #EcoTourism #AnanthagiriHills #Vikarabad #IndiaBiodiversity #CommonBronzeback #Bronzebacksnake #Snake #Bronzeback #TreeSnake

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

Oriental Magpie-Robin

Finding and photographing the Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) in the Nallamala forests of South Telangana is a rewarding experience for any birder or photographer. Known as the "Doel" or "Dhayal," this bird is celebrated for its melodious songs and striking black-and-white appearance.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Birdinginthewild, #conservationphotography, #telanganabirds, @wildtelangana, #nallamalahills, #amrabadtigerreserve, #orientalmagpierobin, #doel,

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

Brown Fish Owl

The Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) is a typical owl from the family Strigidae. A huge bulky brown owl with a finely streaked breast, a plain face, and bright yellow eyes. Also note its dirty white “bib” and the heavy brow that gives it a moody demeanor. It inhabits waterside wooded areas from lowlands up into the mountains, feeding by dropping down into and wading around in creeks, lakes, and pools. Often gives deep echoing hoots, as well as various shrieks and higher-pitched hoots.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Bird, #Birdinginthewild, #BirdWatching, #Wildlife, #WildBirds, #conservationphotography, #yesbbcearth, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #india, #telanganabirds, #ananthagiri, #ananthagiriforestrange, #vikarabad, @wildtelangana, #brownfishowl, #fishowl, #owl

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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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