Spoonbills, Openbills and Storks

Footprints of birds 

My last few Sunday mornings were spent in photographing the birds in the waterless Cauvery near Grand Anicut.  I have seen hundreds of cormorants waiting for the fish or drying their wings in the sun.  Particularly I was really surprised to see the large birds like storks, herons and ibis in considerable numbers. However, the large birds were very shy, alert and highly elusive. Hence, it was not possible to approach them to take a decent photograph.  Initially I thought all of those birds are of same category or species, but when I was browsing the photos, I found at least 4 different species to be present in that bunch. It was a nice surprise and kindled my interest to photograph them  closely.  However, approaching them to get a decent shot was not an easy task as they were very shy and alert. After my several fruitless attempts tp approach them, I decided to try a trick.

And I forget to mention one thing. That morning I have gone to this 'bird watching' with my 5 year old junior who was piercing me with hundreds of questions if not thousands about each and every shell, plant, bird, fish, flower and sand. Yes, he asked about why there are peculiar sand patterns behind every small shrub. Though it was bit difficult  initially, I was happy to answer his questions. He is an inquisitive, talkative and understanding little guy.

Hence, I decided to seek his help in approaching the birds. I explained him the PLAN. I knew it always worked better if I have explained him things well before. As usual  he understood the plan and correctly executed. The plan was simple. He has to stay where we were while I approach the birds stealthily using the landscape. That way he can attract the birds and give me a cover. I reached a vantage point from where I couldn't proceed further and managed few clicks.  You can see them in the Figs 2-5. Though they are not very great pictures, I made it for that day.  I acknowledged him for his contribution in creating these pictures.

Fig. 1. Spoonbills, Painted-Storks and White Ibis - a part of the folks (three brownish birds in the above photo are juveniles of painted stork with orange beaks)   

Fig. 2. Spoon-bill Storks 

Fig. 3. White Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill and Asian Openbill- Storks

Fig. 4. Openbill and Spoonbill

Fig. 5. Gone with the wind