I was standing in the balcony enjoying some fresh air and idly glancing at the small ornamental pond in my neighbor’s garden when I sensed rather than saw something move.
Now I am a good one for noticing movements (as I am sure most all birders are) of even the slightest kind. A leaf here, a blade of grass there, a shadow cast quickly and gone, a flash of color, they all register instantly with me. So when I looked down and saw a small brownish bundle move in the pond water, I was immediately alert, and not really surprised to find it was a bird, the Indian Pond Heron.
In a flash, I withdrew to get my camera, but the bird sensed the movement from the floor above and much to my disappointment, flew away to perch on a tree far off.
The second time around I was determined not to scare the bird, so tried to get a shot sitting on the floor and focusing through the gap in the balcony wall (hence the shade of white on one side of the picture).
On the hearing the clicks the bird listened intently and then slowly started moving away to the furthest end to hide itself. But that was okay, I had already got my shots and I knew as long as the pond had fish in it, the bird was bound to come back, hopefully with some friends in tow, for me to take more pictures. 🙂
©Shail Mohan 2017
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Shail's Nest 
I feel it is a bonus spotting an unusual bird on one’s home ground as it were.
Indeed it is 🙂 The bird is common enough near water bodies, marshy areas, but it’s the first time I am seeing it near my house.
I’ve only in recent years come to appreciate birds, and I love seeing other people’s birds. It is so frustrating trying to photograph them. Just as you get the camera up to your eye, they fly off! Glad you got the shot in the end.
Yes, birds ARE rather quick! 🙂 I am also a late starter at birding (as also photographing them)
These birds are not beautiful to look at but birds are birds. We saw many of them in Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, remember? I saw some near lakes/water bodies during our tour also. Otherwise, no luck! Good luck to you for more pictures, Shail!
Not when we went together. That time we saw only one or two. I clicked them too. These birds look lovely when they lift off. I am seeing more of the bird these days 🙂
There is an Indian pond heron in our backyard (but I live in IIT campus, which is full of all kinds of exotic birds)…he (she?) visits every November and hangs on until March or so.
Havent’ seen him (her) around this year. Perhaps he (she) visited you instead !
Aha. Looks like it 😀
Interesting account, Shail. I have never ventured into bird watching, but now a days, I see so many blog posts on how amazing the hobby is. Good that you are already into the routine 🙂
I am a late starter myself, and it is wonderful to spot, identify and click them 🙂
Awesome captures, Shail! Herons are such cool birds. I hope word through the bird world spreads, and many more show up at the pond.
I sure hope so. Just today I saw a flock of Rosy Starlings hereabouts for the first time and am thrilled about it. 🙂
Wow! I just looked them up on Google, and I can see why you’re so thrilled! I bet you’re going to get some amazing shots – can’t wait to see them. 🙂
🙂