With the crisp October (26-Oct-25) sun promising a golden morning, I set out early today for Tarahunase Lake, nestled on the outskirts of Bangalore. The city’s din faded in my rearview mirror, replaced by sprawling fields and fragrant air, the kind that carries the promise of something special.
A Birder’s Haven
Tarahunase Lake, its surface dappled with the first rays of sunlight, greeted me with a quiet majesty. The air was alive with the calls of breakfast-seeking lapwings, the cheerful chatter of munias, and the fluttering of wings – a birder’s symphony. My lens was hungry for the Red Avadavat, that delightful jewel of the grasslands, whose ruby hues and energetic flits had drawn me here. It didn’t disappoint; soon I was rewarded with fleeting glimpses and eventually, some precious frames. Alongside, I spotted the stately Purple Heron, elegant pond herons blending into the reeds, bee-eaters flashing emerald in the morning light, and the patient silhouette of a kingfisher perched on a wire, and a Western Marsh Harrier circling above the lake.
Wild Encounters Beyond Birds
But the day had more stories in store than just feathered wonders. As I navigated through a quiet patch, pausing to observe a flutter of butterflies near some wildflowers, movement near the bush caught my attention. Out slipped not one, but two Indian Foxes, utterly magical in the soft morning sun. They paused for a heartbeat, locking eyes with their startled observer, before vanishing gracefully into the grape vineyard. The sense of wild freedom and silent communication in that shared glance will linger with me for a long time.
Not much later, as I circled the lakeshore, a solitary Grey Mongoose, ever curious and bold. It paused just long enough for me to marvel at its quicksilver grace before disappearing, a silent guardian of these wild edges.
Reflections and Return
Wandering back, memory cards richer, I reflected on what makes Tarahunase Lake so rewarding. It isn’t just the checklist of birds (though that is plenty) or even the thrill of unexpected wild encounters – it’s the feeling of being at the edge of city and wild, where each visit promises new stories. As the sun climbed and the chorus softened, I promised myself I’d return – for more birds, more wild surprises, and above all, the undiluted joy of simply being part of nature’s unfolding drama.
