[aravind84]

Well, I wanted to pen this down for a long time however did not get the time to do it. Ever since i took up to serious bird photography, i have been frequenting all birding hotspots and in particular Pulicat and its nearby Bird Sanctuaries almost every weekend. With the beginning of the birding season down south, it has indeed been a real treasure. Here, i am planning to share some of the details about the places i visit often and also share some of the fauna found here.
To start with most of the birders in and around Chennai never miss to visit 1.Pulicat and its surroundings during all the birding seasons.
Pulicat Lake (Officially boating has been banned here. However enroute to the lake there is ample opportunity for birding
2.Annamalaicheri Bird Sanctuary – This is where officially boating is allowed. There are two major boat operators who are allowed to take visitors .
3.SHAR road- This is an extension of the Pulicat Lake. To reach here, you need to cross the TN-AP border on the NH4 and enter the town of Sulurpet. From here the place is well marked and accessible.
To enter Pulicat and Annamalaicheri, we need to take the NH4 and turn right at Ponneri Junction. The road is under construction near ponneri and hence is patchy. The directions to the both the sanctuaries are well marked.
Here i share some of the recent clicks at Pulicat from my end.

To start with some of the Flamingo shots
Greater Flamingo



Little Ringed Plover


Whimbrel

Grey Plover

Rudy Turnstone

Pergerine Falcon

Wood Sandpiper


The below shots are from the Annamalaicheri bird sanctuary
Barn Swallow in Flight

Black Shouldered Kite

Tri Colored Munia

Green Bee Eater


Pied Kingfisher with the catch

Common Green Shank

Spot Billed Pelican

[BoeingDriver]

Fantastic Pics man. Very professional. Barn Swallow in flight- pic was outstanding. Looking forward to more such shares. Happy Spotting !!

[anand_hc]

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[TaureanBull]

Awesome pics. Professional standard pics.

Please share your equipment and lens details.

I hope you are going adding pics to thread.

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by TaureanBull

Awesome pics. Professional standard pics.

Please share your equipment and lens details.

I hope you are going adding pics to thread.

Thank you. I use a Nikon D7000 with Nikon 300mm F4 lens. Yes, i will keep this thread live and update on a very regular basis.


@ Anand : Thank you mate. Sure, i am aware most of us are not aware of these lovely places and that is also one of the main intent of mine to share this. It will help fellow travelers, birders, nature lovers to visit the places and which will help in educating people and saving the beauty around us

Originally Posted by BoeingDriver

Fantastic Pics man. Very professional. Barn Swallow in flight- pic was outstanding. Looking forward to more such shares. Happy Spotting !!

Thank you so much

[Coooolcat21]

Wonderfull travelogue, always nice to read about places lesser known and see the opportunities they offer for good sightings.
Lovely photographs, Pied kingfisher steals the show so far. Looking forward to further updates.
Thank you

[sach.sri]

Wow! beautiful pics - especially liked the flamengos and pelicans, have never seen them and really want to see them sometime! Keep the pics coming.

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by Coooolcat21

Wonderfull travelogue, always nice to read about places lesser known and see the opportunities they offer for good sightings.
Lovely photographs, Pied kingfisher steals the show so far. Looking forward to further updates.
Thank you

Thank you so much, been a follower of your amazing pictures for long.

Originally Posted by sach.sri

Wow! beautiful pics - especially liked the flamengos and pelicans, have never seen them and really want to see them sometime! Keep the pics coming.

Thanks Sachin.Just following you and GD sir's footsteps which are a real source of inspiration to share this little interest of mine.

[aravind84]

Continuing with the pictures, here is few more shots from Pulicat and Annamalaicheri series.

In case, if any one is interested in venturing to these places please let me know and i shall help you with the boat men contacts. I hire them regularly and hence can share their contact details.

Painted Stork



Caspian Tern:

Lesser Crested Tern

Eurasian Curlew

White Eye Buzzard (Juv)

[rjstyles69]

Aravind complete eye candy stuff, fantastic pictures and love the crispness of the images.I would have preferred it a bit more vibrant, but then to each his own. Good job man.

Originally Posted by aravind84

Thank you. I use a Nikon D7000 with Nikon 300mm F4 lens.

The 300mm F4 says it all . Did it cost you an arm and a leg when you picked this up ?

[ampere]

Amazing snaps. So you shifted ! I remember you had a 55-330. (I hope I am right). Did you also upgrade body ?

And as Riju said 300mm says it all ! (And off course lot about the man behind that lens! )

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Beautiful pics!

Originally Posted by aravind84

Sure, i am aware most of us are not aware of these lovely places and that is also one of the main intent of mine to share this. It will help fellow travelers, birders, nature lovers to visit the places and which will help in educating people and saving the beauty around us

I hope we can club together such people on these birding trips. I would like to try birding too. On any of your trips - if you are in need to company - let me know.

[nilanjanray]

Fantastic photos! Didn't know there were so many birds around Chennai - raptors, Terns etc.

Loved the picture of the Peregrine (have always been fascinated by that raptor) and the Pelican.

[aravind84]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

Aravind complete eye candy stuff, fantastic pictures and love the crispness of the images.I would have preferred it a bit more vibrant, but then to each his own. Good job man.

The 300mm F4 says it all . Did it cost you an arm and a leg when you picked this up ?

Thanks Riju sir, i am just in the learning process and need to get the vibrance better. Will remember it for sure and work upon it

Originally Posted by ampere

Amazing snaps. So you shifted ! I remember you had a 55-330. (I hope I am right). Did you also upgrade body ?

And as Riju said 300mm says it all ! (And off course lot about the man behind that lens! )

Yes mate, i was with D3100 but got a good deal and hence shifted to D7000 body. Wow i just love this body, lens i got a good second hand deal and hence pounced on it and made it mine. I love it on any given day. Now eyeing on a 1.4 TC to go with it.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Beautiful pics!

I hope we can club together such people on these birding trips. I would like to try birding too. On any of your trips - if you are in need to company - let me know.

Sure,we can. PM me anytime if you are free on any weekend and we can work it out for sure.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Fantastic photos! Didn't know there were so many birds around Chennai - raptors, Terns etc.

Loved the picture of the Peregrine (have always been fascinated by that raptor) and the Pelican.

Thanks, Nilanjan. As you know been following your threads very closely. Chennai has amazing bird life and am yet to explore more places.

[aravind84]

Hope am not flooding this thread.

Did some birding today at Chembrambakkam lake. This lake is the main source of drinking water for major parts of the city. This place also boasts of a good amount of bird life.

Today was actually a late start and the weather being just perfect we set out around 8 AM . We were struck in some traffic jams around Kathipara junction. We took the Bangalore highway and just after you cross Motel Highway keep looking for a small temple to your left. Take the small by lane near the temple and continue on this road. This will take you to the lake bed and there is a road running parallel to the lake. This place is ideal for all raptors ( however am yet to capture one). One can drive all the way and continue to get shots sitting in the car.

Sharing some of the clicks from today.
Pied Wagtail

Shikra



Black Bittern : These are extremely shy birds and it seldom comes out in the open. I considered myself to be very lucky to capture this

Spotted Owlet


White Throated Kingfisher