Lenstrails
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lenstrails

Nature & Wildlife enthusiast. Traveller. Observer. Photographer.
Family time..⁣ ⁣ Often forming large matriarch Family time..⁣ ⁣ Often forming large matriarchal herds, elephants have a complex yet clearly defined social structure. Not just behavioral traits, we also share a commonality in brain power with them. ⁣ ⁣ I consider myself lucky to have had opportunities to witness and frame some of their priceless family moments in the wild.⁣ ⁣ Location: Bandipura, Karnataka⁣ 2012 - 2016
Chilly mornings with the Eastern Imperial Eagle..⁣ ⁣ Migrating to our subcontinent in winters, I have been lucky to encounter this majestic species during every single birding visit to Rajasthan. Their upright perch, big head and bill is a clear give away even from a distance - foggy mornings or otherwise.⁣ ⁣ Location: Tal Chappar, Rajasthan⁣ 2017 & 2018
Party hunting gone wrong..!⁣ Happy Weekend!! 😊 ⁣ This is an account of a spectacular natural history moment that I encountered in the Western Ghats. ⁣ ⁣ Enjoy this 7 mins read and let me know how you like it. ⁣ ⁣ http://www.lenstrails.com/party-hunting-gone-wrong/ (link in bio). #crestedhawkeagle #rackettaileddrongo #naturalhistory #birdsofinstagram #bloggersofinstagram #wildlifeblog #photostory #westernghats #partyhunting #mixedspecieshunt #thattekad #birdsofindia #lenstrails #lenstrails_stories #praveenashok #yourshotphotographer #natgeoyourshot
The Serpent Eagle⁣ ⁣ In our woodlands, Crested The Serpent Eagle⁣ ⁣ In our woodlands, Crested serpent eagle never disappoints a keen pair of eyes. Often perched and unmoved by the presence of us lesser mortals, this reptile eater stays focused on the hisses down under. ⁣ ⁣ Coming to diet, while snakes and lizards are preferred, an occasional bird or a small mammal prey isn’t unorthodox.
Crested hawk-eagle’s beautiful crest, sharp talo Crested hawk-eagle’s beautiful crest, sharp talons, acute vision and varied colors makes this raptor an unmistakable crowned jewel of our forests.⁣ ******* ⁣ Hi All, it feels great to be back in action! ⁣ ⁣ I am attempting a different post format (text content & length), do share your feedback. 🙏🏻😊
The uniqueness of this Bronzy brown..⁣ ⁣ Featu The uniqueness of this Bronzy brown..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Bronze-winged Jacana @lenstrails ⁣ That’s the color of this bird’s wings. Jacanas are uniquely structured, their wing bones as well as tail feathers are distinct, which makes them terrific warriors in territorial combat.⁣ ⁣ But there is a warmer side which is distinct too. In the event of a grave threat, Jacanas carry their young under their wings. I haven’t been lucky to witness the act but an internet search on this one is worth your time.⁣ ⁣ The third distinct feature is actually a behavioural trait. Female Bronze-winged Jacanas resort to polyandry for better chances of procreation and continuity of the species. Not a very common act amongst birds that I know of.⁣ ⁣ As always, nature never seizes to surprise us, isn’t it? ⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #jacana #bronzewingedjacana #birdhabitat #birdfeatures #birdbehavior #mangaljodi #bharatpurbirdsanctuary #birdsofindia
The widespread moorhen..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Comm The widespread moorhen..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Common Moorhen @lenstrails .⁣ ⁣ This bird blesses us with adding a beautiful contrast to the frame. Common and generally casual of our presence, it is an evident resident and a keen eye has opportunity to observe them all round the year.⁣ ⁣ You will find them generally intolerant of other species of birds and loud enough to irritate the intruder when threatened. Highly territorial, it is not uncommon to find the same bird in the same place next time around.⁣ ⁣ Place: Bharatpur, Rajasthan⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #coomonmoorhen #moorhen #waterbirds #bharatpur #keoladeonationalpark #birdhabitat
Careless Coot..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Eurasian Coot Careless Coot..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Eurasian Coot @lenstrails . ⁣ Often coming across as a lazy, reluctant to fly and unshy bird, the Coot is ridiculously common across the subcontinent. It is so common that most of us would have given it a pass even before noticing it.⁣ ⁣ The better side of the Coots come to life when they show-off their head bobs (first image) or make short dives from a little jump (last image). Dissimilar to what they seem, these fellas are loud and can get pretty aggressive if prompted.⁣ ⁣ Place: Bharatpur, Rajasthan⁣ February 2017⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #commoncoot #eurasiancoot #bharatpur #keoladeonationalpark #habitat #birdbehavior
Poser..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Grey-headed swamphen Poser..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Grey-headed swamphen @lenstrails ⁣. Owing to the color, this species was aptly called the Purple swamphen. Elevated to a full species few years ago, is now called the Grey-headed swamphen. Grey? Duh, I am sure even the fella will be upset with this 😊 ⁣ One of the most common water birds you would notice across our subcontinent, this bird is a gift to the birders and photographer birders alike. Unshy and casual of our presence, the opportunities to observe and photograph them are limitless. ⁣ ⁣ Their courtship behavior is elaborate and a sight to watch. Loud chuckles by the male, bowing to the female indicates the beginning of the act. While I missed getting a shot of that, the second image was made soon after.⁣ ⁣ Place: Mangaljodi, Odisha⁣ December 2017⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #purpleswamphen #greyheadedswamphen #mangaljodi #chilkalake #waterbirds #habitat #birdportrait #frameworthy #birdbehavior #birdcourtship
‘Lifeline’.. Some pictures are best left unspe ‘Lifeline’.. Some pictures are best left unspelt.. . For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)
The wait..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Purple Heron @lens The wait..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Purple Heron @lenstrails . ⁣ As lengthy as it can get, the neck I mean, was the first impression of this large bird. Their characteristic retracted neck at stance is a tool to fool you, me and of course the prey. But when they attempt a hunt, the neck can get long, really long (first image).⁣ ⁣ The beauty of places like Mangaljodi is it allows us to watch the entire hunting episode in great detail. The first and last images here are of the same sequence but from varying distances. It depicts how patient the heron was and we weren’t. After a long wait, we gave up and started to row away, when we found out that he finally did succeed in the hunt. It was as if he posed for us to show-off his priced catch (third image).⁣ ⁣ Place: Mangaljodi, Odisha ⁣ December, 2017⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #purpleheron #heron #mangaljodi #chilka #odishabirds #habitat #birdbehavior
Fear of the mist..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Big Cat @l Fear of the mist..⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Big Cat @lenstrails .⁣ ⁣ Not until it was couple of hours into the safari did we have the slightest hint of what was in store for us, that chilly morning. ⁣ ⁣ Fog turned to mist as Sun started to takeover. Our hope was turning to desperation, why not, it was our last chance to see ‘a’ big cat till we returned again - which was at least a few months away.. ⁣ ⁣ And when we were just about to sign off, there he appeared, ‘a sub-adult’ our naturalist whispered. Looked like our presence was not only a surprise but also unwelcome. A look through the lens barrel and he was gone - My first and last Tiger of 2020.⁣ ⁣ Place: Kabini, Karnataka ⁣ December, 2020⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio) . #wildlifephotography #earthcapture #forest #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifesafari #wildlife_inspired #mammalsofinstagram #wildlifeindia #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial #wildlifeplanet #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories
@bbcearth @canonindia_official @natgeoyourshot @natgeowild @discoverychannelin @natgeoindia @sanctuaryasia @saevuswildlife @naturein_focus @canonasia #kabini #tigerhabitat #wildshotsafari #tigersofindia #indianforests
Flamingos - an artist’s obsession (Part 2)⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Lesser Flamingo @lenstrails ⁣. Opposite to that of the Greater flamingo, this one is the smallest of the species. Relatively, these birds are still tall though at about 3 ft . Apart from size, the extensive black on the bill is how this species differs from the former.⁣ ⁣ Unfortunately, Lesser Flamingos population continues to decrease due to habitat loss and are now classified as ‘Near Threatened’.⁣ ⁣ The only occasion I had an opportunity to witness these birds were during my visit to the Little Rann of Kutch. We crawled, bruised our elbows and knees, put our skill and equipment to rigorous testing to manage some frames (shared here) that would be treasured for life. ⁣ ⁣ Place: Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat⁣ January 2018⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #lesserflamingo #littlerannofkutch #birdfineartphotography #photostory #birdsinaction
Flamingos - an artist’s obsession ⁣ ⁣ Featur Flamingos - an artist’s obsession ⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Greater Flamingo @lenstrails . . As peculiar as it looks, the unique beak is what makes flamingos special. Not to forget, their beautiful colours and specialised feeding behaviour - immersing their head with bill inverted is how they filter food in shallow water, making it a sight to watch.⁣ ⁣ Greater flamingos, the largest of the species are tall enough to be sighted from a considerable distance. Considering the colours and size, this bird understands the vulnerability and thus pretty shy. However, with necessary common sense excercised, they do give us a good number of opportunities to observe them and in detail.⁣ ⁣ Place: Little Rann of Kutch and Jamnagar, Gujarat⁣ January 2018⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #flamingos #greaterflamingo #littlerannofkutch #jamnagar #gujaratbirds #photostory #birdbehavior #birdfacts
Fantail...! What? Why?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Featuring the Fantail...! What? Why?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Featuring the White-spotted fantail @lenstrails .⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ A fantail? What’s that? Would be an obvious question. Rather - Why would a bird need that? Would be an even better question. Well, this species has particularly evolved this way, tail longer than body and wings, sacrificing speed for agility.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Fantails are specialised at catching their insect prey like no other. They largely move through the undergrowth, fanning their tail weeding insects out. Making them the killer machines that they are.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ But a special feature like this is bound to attract uninvited attention of predators, thus resulting in this bird being much shyer, sober coloured and silent than one would expect.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Place: Bangalore⁣⁣ December 2018⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #fantail #whitespottedfantail #birdsofindia #photostory #birdbehavior #birdfacts #bangalorebirds
Mirror image...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the ‘Near Thre Mirror image...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the ‘Near Threatened’ Laggar Falcon @lenstrails ⁣ From a distance we observed this bird busy tearing up some meat. Falcon, the size told us and as we approached, the blackish trousers gave the ID away - Laggar Falcon! We screamed in a whisper. Handsome and slender, the bold dark eye-stripe adds a nice character to it’s already chiselled face. The contrasting colors is a photographer’s delight.⁣ ⁣ Laggar Falcons are popular for preying on birds, though, in this occasion the kill appeared to be a small mammal. Before we attempted to even vaguely speculate, the bird finished everything that was visible of the dead animal leaving just a stain on it’s beak (zoom into the image) and we had to leave inconclusive.⁣ ⁣ Unfortunately, this majestic species is facing grave danger and their population is rapidly decreasing year on year. For now, IUCN classifies this bird as ‘Near Threatened’.⁣ ⁣ Place: Desert National Park, Rajasthan⁣ December 2018⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #falcon #laggarfalcon #desertnationalpark #rajasthanbirds #birdsofprey #photostory #birdbehavior #birdsinaction
The Mighty Sholas...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Shola r The Mighty Sholas...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Shola range from Kuduremukha @lenstrails ⁣ When a dear friend called to ask if I was ready for a ride to the mountains, what better could I ask for..!? It was time to bid the strenuous 2020 goodbye (in advance, we all have had enough of it) and this had to be in nature’s lap.⁣ ⁣ Shola range’s rolling grasslands are iconic, complex and scientists describe it as a climatic climax vegetation. In simple words, a result of restricted forest regeneration due to climatic conditions.⁣ ⁣ As you would expect, the weather is crazy unpredictable. We were awarded a mere 15 mins in a few hours drive into the range (in an authorised vehicle) and capitalized on it to create some frames. And then, it started to rain loudly before the sun called it a day. ⁣ ⁣ Mind you - these images do little justice to the actual beauty these mountains orchestrate..⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio). . #naturelover #naturegram #naturephotography #naturelove #naturebrilliance #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #natgeo #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #sholas #sholarange #kuduremukha #bhagavatinaturecamp #photostory #mountainranges #westernghats
The confusing Egret...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Inter The confusing Egret...!⁣ ⁣ Featuring the Intermediate Egret @lenstrails . ⁣ ⁣ Larger than Little Egret & Cattle Egret but smaller than Great Egret but similar. As if this wasn’t enough, if you independently see them in non-breeding season even a trained eye could keep wandering for identification cues. ⁣ ⁣ Textually speaking, the Intermediate Egret’s gape line ends below the eye, while for the Great Egret it extends beyond. Little Egrets sport a yellow-soled feet and black bill unlike the Intermediate Egret. ⁣ ⁣ Observation would reveal the Intermediate Egret stalks prey upright neck extended (like in the second image) which is unique to them. ⁣ ⁣ You must be thinking, isn’t this enough to get confused? Why don’t you just call all of them Egrets and leave it at that.. Honestly, I have ran tirelessly behind the ‘ID’ craze and finally ended up adding the Egret family to the ‘not so specific name’ list of birds in my catalogue. Warblers are giving them company :).⁣ ⁣ First image is that of a chick made at Ranganthittu bird sanctuary in Karnataka and the second is that of an adult clicked at Mangaljodi wetlands in Odisha.⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #egret #intermediateegret #ranganthittubirdsanctuary #mangaljodi #birdidentification #birdbehavior #habitatshot #photostory
And then, they could be gone forever...! Featurin And then, they could be gone forever...! Featuring the ‘Endangered’ Dhole @lenstrails . Even the smallest of clans could be sizable, that being the case on an extremely rare occasion we were surprised to see just the two of them that august, August morning. We knew we got lucky and couldn’t ask for more. For a canine that wandered the earth, as long as since ice age, it’s a shame that today it’s starting at extinction in the face - thanks to our greed.. Not knowing when we would see them next, if at all that is; this opportunity was a gift. A Dhole, standing tall (second image) just a few feet away from us and we didn’t know how to react. On a lighter note - even an excited whistle could be misjudged as a mock or something we had to say, as that’s their preferred communication que after all.. These wild dogs are under grave danger, and habitat loss is the key contributor. Their survival is at a serious threat, perhaps more serious than that of Tiger’s. And before we realize, they could be gone forever. For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio) #wildlifeplanet #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial 
#natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #dhole #indianwilddog #kabini #nagarholenationalpark #habitat #photostory #conservation #indianwildlifeofficial
Now and then...⁣ ⁣ Featuring Cattle Egret @len Now and then...⁣ ⁣ Featuring Cattle Egret @lenstrails . ⁣ ⁣ Almost all of nature’s drama will leave you in awe, one such is with this extremely common Egret. The second image is the same bird as in the first but in it’s breeding plumage.⁣ ⁣ Games that nature plays you must be thinking, but a deeper thought provoked will remind you that we aren’t any different - be it wooing or being wooed.⁣ ⁣ Why is this bird called a cattle egret in first place? Common sensical, no!? You will find this bird almost always around cattle. And why do they do that? Well, simple - moving cattle unsettles a large number of insects and other small prey which this bird takes advantage of and feasts upon the easy prey. Smart isn’t it?⁣ ⁣ The second with breading plumage was made in June while the first was made later in December..⁣ ⁣ For nature & wildlife photos stories, visit link: http://www.lenstrails.com/ (link in bio)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #bestbirdsofinstagram #nuts_about_birds #wildlifeplanet #birding #birdstagram #yourbestbirds #birdfreaks #birdwatching #birdlovers ⁣ #ngtdailyshot #yourshotphotographer #indianwildlifeofficial ⁣ #natgeowild #bbcearth #lenstrails #praveenashok #lenstrails_stories #egret #cattleegret #breedingplumage #birdbehavior #birdfacts #thattekad #ranganthittu
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