Thread by @Bhrigzz

My #BirdsWithTalons long #Thread from Delhi. Seeing raptors around Delhi is a Joy. Each sighting is unique but not always gr8 wrt #photograghy

On a good day, they can be found up close
Black-winged kite & White-Eyed buzzard
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And there are days when they surprise me by visiting the fig tree just outside my house -like this Shikra which I clicked from my balcony.
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But on some other days(should I call them bad days?) they are quite far. Like this Grey-headed fish eagle from Okhla & the Short-toed snake eagle from Mangar.

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At times, I get a frame of my liking (irrespective of the distance). Like this Peregrin falcon and Common kestrel from Sultanpur mudflats from the last winter.

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But on some other days, the grey smoggy winter of Delhi/Gurgaon offers nothing but a record shot.
Like this Imperial Eagle & the Laggar falcon from Budhera trail

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I struggle with the heavy gear when they fly overhead or when they zoom past me offering some challenges - like this Booted eagle & the male Marsh harrier

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Some images are old and clicked many years ago. Like this red-necked falcon from 2013 and this Greater spotted eagle from 2012 or so (yet remain my favorites)

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There are days, I come back with a story. Like this Black-eared kite threatening a crow or the mighty Steppe eagle chasing away a Greater Spotted Eagle (Mandothi)
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At times, I wait and wait till the bird opens its wings. The constant looking at the bird thru the viewfinder makes the eyes teary.

A long-legged buzzard & Bonelli's Eagle
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Lastly, some photographs are special and very close to my heart. Like the sighting of this pair of Bonelli's Eagle at Mangar and the Osprey at Mandothi

Thank you!!
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#BirdsSeenIn2021 #birds #birdwatching #thePhotohour #birdphotography #NaturePhotography