Blackburn2Bangalore

… and I’m not referring to Jess here, although she has safely arrived in Bangalore now

Today has been yet another hot day with circa 35 degree heat. There is little more that you want to do than sit on the sofa watching TV trying to keep cool under the ceiling fans, and stay inside out of the heat of the day. Today though whilst doing just this, to our surprise an eagle landed on the balcony railings just outside the apartment window. I say an eagle, because that seems to be what the locals all call any bird of prey that patrol the city’s sky, although what species it is I have no real idea. Amazingly, when I got up to find my camera it hopped along the railings and stood on the pillar. More amazingly, when I returned with my camera it was still there. Just as I took the picture (through the closed window) it decided I was too close and flew off, fortunately the picture took in time!

Bangalore has many such birds of prey, they appear to be very successful, probably due to the abundance of rodents caused by the sewers and garbage disposal that wouldn’t meet western standards. It is quite common to see these birds circling above the city, and I have seen as many as 20 at one time. This is however the first time that I have seen one actually on the apartment balcony. You can see them though from the balcony bringing food to the building opposite where they will eat, with a few crows close by hoping to get left overs.

Getting a good picture of an eagle with a conventional camera has until now eluded me, but this one seems to be quite good.