A beautiful experience as mentioned in my previous Blog my hopes and expectations were high. Not in terms of ‘Which rare bird will I be able to shoot?‘ but more like ‘Will I get a different, more peaceful and beautiful experience of nature and surroundings?‘ So on a monsoon Saturday morning, 13th August 2016, I left my home yet again with my gear and a raincoat.

As soon as I parked my Dio and started walking towards the Hanuman Temple, I observed some movement on my right in the grass. There are very few birds who walk on the ground. I was not prepared for this situation (duh!) I hurriedly took out my camera and went into the woods silently. There it was… just a 25 ft in front of me. A Bush Quail ! a Rock Bush Quail in my opinion.

Rock Bush Quail at ARAI Hill (Vetal Tekdi) Pune

Rock Bush Quail at ARAI Hill (Vetal Tekdi) Pune

It was running so fast that I was not able to find a still moment. But, I was happy. A nice little adrenaline rush to begin the day. Also, the first time I was seeing this bird on ARAI Hill! The quail vanished so fast that I had to leave the chase. I came out of the bushes and started walking towards the temple. I looked up, it was so cloudy that I was doubtful if I will be able to keep my camera out. I was anticipating rains. It was monsoon!

I was anticipating the rains!

The path was wet, muddy. The trees green and weather was gloomy. Personally I am not a fan of this kind of weather.

Muddy Path Which Leads to Hanuman Temple

Muddy Path

Yet, I was there. Trying to be one with the surroundings. It helped… I took some random photos along the way.

Greater Coucal (Bharadwaj) at ARAI Hill, Pune

Spider and the Web

Once I reached the quarry I took a gaze at the hilltop. There was absolutely no one near the quarry. Just me, the greenery, water, clouds and a beautiful backdrop of the Pune city. I have been to ARAI Hill (Vetal Tekdi) for birding several times but, the view on that day was something different. Real yet looked like a painting.

View of Pune City from ARAI Hill, Pune

The Quarry At ARAI Hill, Pune

For some reason, I preferred walking around the quarry. Not really looking for the birds or animals but just to enjoy the view. It was a little bit scary since I was the only one around. After around half an hour of a directionless walk, I started tracking peacock or peafowl calls. I was in the east part of the quarry. I was looking for the sight of it but, meanwhile, I could not resist myself from taking a snap at the view where woods and buildings were forming a very peculiar combination.

I Loved the colors!

But, shifted my focus back to tracking the bird. I was looking across the quarry where the calls were coming from. One note for the beginners, birds do know where you are. So their natural instincts make them go away from you. Do not follow them like predator or else they will run away. Try to be gentle, harmless, and quiet. A male Peacock or Peafowl slowly came out the bush across the quarry. It was very misty and gloomy. A bad condition for bird photography! But, the Peacock was showing off his feathers. It was a beautiful scene. It sort of gives a taste of Pune where you can find everything!

Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill

It was beautiful but too far.

Locations (Note: This map image is taken later)

I started walking towards the other side of the quarry. It was muddy and grassy. A bit difficult to walk. The shoes were getting wet and there was the fear of mosquitoes as well.

I took snaps of a couple of familiar birds, Ashy Prinia and Red Wattled Lapwing

Red Wattled Lapwing

Ashy Prinia

I was keeping an eye on the Peacock. It’s just that, the birds remain alert till the time you are staring at them. Like I said before, even though the peacock was far away, I am sure it was aware of my presence. I could see it walking towards the quarry near a pond. It was climbing down the slope nearby. It was a good opportunity.

Male Peafowl at ARAI Hill, Pune

I stood still watching its movements. Such a beautiful bird. I thought to myself, the female Peafowl must be around somewhere. Birds are so elusive! It started showing off the feathers (and dancing as we say it in India)

Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune

After a while, it climbed up again towards the direction it came from and vanished again!. I started to walk towards the western side of the quarry to checkout. I was also, searching for its partner around. It took me some time. Female Peafowl or Peahen is difficult to spot especially in the stony region since her color is grey-ish. But, eventually, I found it. She was standing on the stone cliff nearby. It kind of concerned me about her safety though 🙂 Checkout where she was standing. A good example of camouflage.

Female Peafowl or Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

Female Peafowl or Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

Probably Gazing at the Male Peafowl 🙂

Once I went across the quarry. I heard some noises in the grass. I sat on my feet to make sure I am not spooking away any bird. It was a moment of silence before the male Peafowl cried out laud announcing its existence. It was really very loud and near. I was ready! The same peafowl came walking in front of me.

It was my time now to take some good snaps. What I like about these photos the most that it has the greenery, the woods, the city in the background and a beautiful bird all in one frame!

Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune Male Peafowl (Peacock) at ARAI Hill, Pune

Also, the Peahen was still lurking around the bushes on the rims of the quarry. She looked kind of unhappy with me.

Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

Peahen at ARAI Hill, Pune

After almost an hour-long encounter I left them and started moving towards the other side of the quarry. Ready to go home. But, as I mentioned in my earlier blogs as well, ARAI Hill doesn’t stop surprising you. I took photos of several familiar birds and also some random sights on my way back. It just made my return journey more enjoyable!

Female Lesser Minivet at ARAI Hill, Pune

And a Millipede

Millipede

A Sunbird and a Scaly Breasted Munia along the way

Sunbird

Scaly Breasted Munia

Scaly Breasted Munia

A pair of Baya Weaver. The master architect among the birds. The male can be easily recognized by its vibrant yellow color. Female is hard to identify at times.

Baya Weaver (Male)

Baya Weaver (Male and Female)

Usually, I have seen only the old nests built by the Baya Weaver but, since it was the breeding period. This Baya Weaver was just building a new one. Please have a look.

Baya Weaver’s Nest

The Bay Weaver was not flying away so I took that opportunity to take some snaps of this beautiful little bird 🙂

Baya Weaver (Male) at ARAI Hill, Pune Baya Weaver (Male) at ARAI Hill, Pune Baya Weaver (Male) at ARAI Hill, Pune Baya Weaver (Male) at ARAI Hill, Pune Baya Weaver (Male) at ARAI Hill, Pune

It was close to 11:30 AM and I started walking back towards the Parking. It was getting late for me. But, ARAI Hill was not in a mood to let me leave early. I was seeing so many beautiful things, birds and scenery around I could not resist taking the photos. Here’s a beautiful Butterfly.

Butterfly

A Crow dring water on the way.

Then a Rufous Treepie on a tree near Hanuman Temple.

Rufous Treepie

And guess what! Another male Peafowl wandering around the temple. Honestly, I could not resist taking photos. I was tired but still took a couple of the last photos of the Peacock.

Male Peafowl Wandering on ARAI Hill, Pune

Male Peafowl at ARAI Hill, Pune

Then I just put my camera in the bag and headed back. I spent around 3 hours on the ARAI Hill doing Birding. It is less than all other visits. The peafowl photo I took in the background of the city in close range is still one of my most favorite photos. But, when I sit back and look at the photos I took on that day, I must say