A stroll by the lake

Saul kere  (lake) is a peaceful lake near our house in Bangalore. Raghav and I enjoyed a nice morning a few days ago, along with a friend Chandu and his son Virat. Chandu is an avid observer of nature and it is always fun to go along with him. The lake was small and but had a spectacular diversity of birds and other creatures. The kids had fun spotting ladybugs, praying mantis of various kinds. We also spotted a spectacular butterfly, the common banded peacock. All things considered, an enjoyable morning.

Can you spot the Bark Mantis, a specialist in hiding on tree bark?

There it is!

Chandu showing some creature to Raghav and pal

A mantis lying in wait for some insect to come to the flower

Birds:
Painted Storks
Open Billed Stork
Scaly breasted Munia
Silver Bill
Paddyfield Pippit
Cormorant
Black headed Ibis
Spot Billed Pelican
Darter
Spotted Dove
Jungle Myna
Common Myna
Purple Rumped Sunbird
Purple Moorhen
Bronze winged Jacana
Pied Wagtail
Red Wattled Lapwing
Several ducks (not sure which)
Ashy Prinia
Common Tailor Bird

We went back the next weekend as a family and had just as much of a good time.