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Odisha Part 4: Chilika – Experiencing the lake, in and out of season

My first visit to the Chilika Lake in Jan 2017 was for content for a resort. It was peak season, and I would have loved to stay near the lake, but the brief was to stay at Puri and cover areas that could be visited from Puri. And so, I did the usual touristy thing, taking a boat for half the day. Which is why, on my next visit to Odisha, if there was one thing I was clear about, it was that I wanted to stay near the lake, at least for a day, if not more. However, unlike my first visit, the second was in end of May, and the season was long ended. There would be no birds, I was warned by anyone and everyone I spoke to, including the people at the stays I was considering. But those who know me, know how stubborn I can be, and so I persisted. I eventually decided to stay at two of the Odisha eco-tourism resorts, at Mangalajodi and Rajhans, keen on experiencing the lake, even minus the birds. I had expected it to be hot, but as it turned out, the rains turned out to be even bigger spoilspo...
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Drenched!!

While we sit inside the house in relative comfort, while it pours cats and dogs outside, look at this kingfisher sitting patiently in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious to the cold, even though it appears to be huddled up...



It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
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  1. AnonymousJuly 5, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Oh how lovely.. to watch the rains..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shyam Govind - International SEO expertJuly 5, 2010 at 9:42 AM

    I gues that lamp post is a very popular hangout joint in the bird community...

    earlier the parakeets, now the kingfisher.. :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. MridulaJuly 5, 2010 at 10:17 AM

    They have started showing up on this side too after the rains.

    ReplyDelete
  4. chitraJuly 5, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    It is monsoon and Mumbai gets submerged by water. But the air gets fresh, all the dirt gets washed away and good you get to see to see lot of birds ....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sankara SubramanianJuly 5, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Ah hah! Now a white breasted kingfisher comes and gives you a show. You are definitely lucky...

    I am sure that all birds are programmed to handle the rain comfortably.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aarti BadamikarJuly 5, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    lovely sight! so calm and content :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. IndraniJuly 5, 2010 at 4:23 PM

    Strange are the ways of a nature!
    Great observation.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ShilpaJuly 6, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Nice observation!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. indicaspeciesJuly 8, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I wish to get drenched in some rains too..and I promise not to prey on anyone..hehe!

    ReplyDelete

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