Monsoon Birding

Monsoon are back with lots of rain, pakoras and remaining indoors. We enjoy them it after all this scorching heat. Though the monsoon keeps enthusiastic photographer housed to enjoy snacks but there is something chirping in nearby grasslands which let photographers’ move out from their comfort zone so that they don’t miss out any opportunity to have some super keepers of some lovely bird species.

Now how many of us know that birders are scouting for a lovely species as monsoon clouds gather over the country. Jacobin Cuckoo also known as “harbinger of monsoon” as it correlates its presence with the annual showers. It is believed that migrant species appears in many parts of the country pronouncing the imminent arrival of monsoon. One photograph hunt for this bird is worth and it will not disappoint you.

The breeding season of the Baya Weavers is during this season of the year. The bird known for the elaborately woven nests constructed by the males is a photographers’ delight. Male bird build partial nests and begin courting females. Male finishes only that nest to completion after finding a mate and getting approved by the female. Photographing the bird complete the hanging nest is really a picture you should have in list.

Cattle Egret is a sociable species and is most commonly seen foraging with grazing stock in wetland areas. A relatively small snowy-white egret, the Cattle Egret is distinguished during breeding season which is nearly during monsoon, by its orange crown, neck and breast, with similarly tinted long loose neck plumes. The long sharp, slightly curved yellow bill becomes bright red during breeding season. The beauty it gives in photographs is immense.

Green Bee-eater nests during May/June in the tunnels dug into sandy banks. Females lay eggs which are incubated for two weeks by both the breeding pair. The bird chicks which hatch near to monsoon are cared and fed by both the parent until they leave the nest. And you find some amazing shots of these birds during all these activity.

As monsoon is good time photographing these birds there are several problems faced because of lowlight and sudden showers so one should be well prepared for this by:

-         Knowing camera limit

-         Increasing ISO on your camera for high shutter speed

-         Fixing camera on a steady tripod

-         Protecting camera with a good rain cover

-         Taking an umbrella in case of sudden shower.

Now with all these I don’t think you should sit in just waiting for good times.