Long gap again. most of time of this last month or so was spent with everyday friends with center spot occupied by Babbler young of second brood this year. He appeared to have suffered some serious setback very early in life and looks more like a mini vulture with his part of head hairless. His apparent ugliness however makes him even more endearing I think.
During this time, I also found that what I considered occasional visitor might as well be always around someone. its only because he is always well hidden that I don’t see him often. On one of the days however he climbed newly grwon Papaya tree where there was no scope of hiding and then found me in front of him. somewhat confused, he stayed there for quite some time and didn't attempt to go to safely of hiding.
Anyways, things started to change finally. After completely rain deprived July, probably one of the hottest August and not far behind September, earlier this month HudHud brought both the things absent in last few months. One good day of rain and onset of cooler days. So there I was, having left with no excuse, out in the morning to see if migratory visitors have come already. Did hear an occasional flycatcher, looked like some warblers in a far off tree and also managed a Black Redstart in the frame, shot of which however reminded me of my some of the early days shots that didn't survive even then. Does not picking up camera for a few months really does that to you?
Somewhat disappointed, next day I leave 400 mm at home and walk out with HX300. See greenish warbler, hear more flycatchers and.. something much more interesting but not sure what it is. there was no use of regretting leaving behind 400mm now. by the time I zoom on it with lots of struggle to locate it in quite non-photo friendly clutter of small trees, it flies off. After few more minutes and walking few meters back and forth, there it was again. a blue capped rock thrush. Had seen it only once before on its return trip to its summer area three seasons back. Here is the shot of current sighting, whatever I managed.
Another day. More activity. Saw an ultramarine flycatcher hopping just above my head few feet above inside bamboo leaves. Now, I had seen it once for sure in previous years and at few other times suspected what I saw was it but had never managed a shot. (too bad given that goggling for it gives an impression that it loves to sit on open perches in full light in front of camera). Fortunately, it came out in clear sight after a while. I again did poorly still did get a shot. Makes it first new species this winter season.
Next day. Started off with hope of seeing yet another exotic passing migrant but wasn't too disappointed when encountered no new or old any kind of bird as my hope was not reasonable in first place. All I found was this dragonfly that almost invited me to take its shot.
and, how many hours I had spend without any result to catch it mid air finally concluding it wasn't worth trying.
Finally, yet another by-invitation shot. This unreasonably big fly was sucking something from a brick and hovering occasionally above it.
