The first birding trip of 2026 kicked off with a simple plan and good company. A friend and I headed to Jayamangali Blackbuck Sanctuary, hoping the grasslands would be generous, and they were.

The blackbucks made us work a bit for our sightings, appearing in pockets, striking poses, sprinting across the frame, and occasionally stealing the show once we finally spotted them. The birds did not disappoint either. Perched, hopping, flying, and occasionally judging us from a branch, they added plenty of colour and character to the morning. Add a Wolf Moon and a beautiful sunrise, and it felt like a pretty good way to start the year.

Here are a few moments from a relaxed and rewarding morning in the grasslands.

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We started early, really early. A 4 am departure so we could reach Jayamangali Blackbuck Sanctuary by sunrise. A bit of construction on our usual route meant a small detour, but no complaints there. It was a supermoon morning, and we stopped exactly once, just long enough to frame the Wolf Moon before continuing on our way.

Some mornings tell you you are off to a good start even before you reach your destination.

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A lone male blackbuck was our very first sighting, standing quietly in the haze even before the sun managed to peek out.

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The sun finally appeared as a pale disc through the mist, turning the grasslands soft and silent for a few brief moments before the day properly began.

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We drove ahead, hunting for a foreground, and the sun politely waited while a tree stepped into the frame.

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A little patience and a bit of positioning later, the sun slipped neatly behind a bare branch, glowing warm against the morning haze.

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A lone blackbuck doe emerged from the mist, pausing just long enough to remind us how softly the morning was unfolding.

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A male blackbuck stood alert in the grass, his spiralled horns cutting clean lines against the muted colours of the morning.

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The sun climbed higher, burning through the haze and setting the grasslands aglow in warm golden light.

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My friend suggested we head to the lake inside the forest first, hoping the golden hour would bring the birds out before the day warmed up.

En route, a Grey Francolin crossed our path, pausing briefly as if to check whether we were worth the interruption.

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The lake, much to our shock, was completely dry, but the disappointment did not last long. A Eurasian Hoopoe stepped in, working the ground and nearby branches, more than making up for the missing water.

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Soon enough, another Eurasian Hoopoe joined in, turning a solitary sighting into a neatly framed pair against the open sky.

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A Laughing Dove, calm and unhurried, soaking in the morning light.

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A Purple Sunbird, briefly lighting up the branch before moving on.

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A Small Minivet, bright and unmistakable against the muted greens.

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A Brahminy Starling, neatly perched and unbothered by our presence.

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A Eurasian Collared Dove, watching quietly from its perch.

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A Red-rumped Swallow, pausing briefly before taking off again.

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A female Indian Robin, understated but full of character.

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A Jungle Babbler, ever alert and keeping an eye on things from above.

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As the day warmed up, we turned our focus back to the blackbucks before they slipped away into the shade.

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Watching them blend into the grass.

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A Long-tailed Shrike, calmly surveying the grassland.

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A Yellow-wattled Lapwing, standing its ground in the open.

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The grasslands slowly filled up, with small groups appearing, moving, pausing, and then breaking into those effortless runs they are known for.

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A burst of speed, and suddenly the grassland was in motion.

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A Large Grey Babbler, standing tall against the blue sky.

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The adult male stood apart, quietly keeping an eye on everything.

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A Blue-tailed Bee-eater, bright and unmistakable against the sky.

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The Indian Bushlark closed the day.

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By the time we turned back, the haze was gone and the heat was setting in. It had been one of those mornings where everything came together without trying too hard.

Let me know your thoughts.

Starting my first post of 2026 with our year end vacation. A few unhurried days in Kumarakom and Thekkady with family, in laws, and my brother in law’s family. Everyone found their own reason to enjoy the trip. And yes, I found many lovely birds. Here are the pics.

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Our first leg started at a beautiful resort in Kumarakom. The view from our room was reason enough to stay in a little longer every morning.

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Staying in was not an option when a woodpecker kept screaming for attention just outside the room.

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The houseboats were enticing too, moving quietly across the water and adding to the unhurried mood of Kumarakom.

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On the second day, we opted for a shikara to explore the backwaters at a slower pace.

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Kumarakom slowed us down without asking.

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A rare moment when everyone agreed this was a good idea.

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The shikara may have been for everyone, but the birds made sure I stayed alert.

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Whiskered Terns occupied every stick, pole, and stray branch they could find.

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Others hovered and dipped with ease.

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Then the water lilies took over, quietly filling the frame.

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Rohan finds a prop before the photographer does.

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Photographer. Briefly distracted.

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Clearly the flower chose its favourite.

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Old memories surfaced, along with a childhood hack, splitting the stem to make a garland.

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And just like that, the garland was ready.

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A Blue tailed Bee eater, calmly watching it all.

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One more reason to linger a little longer.

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A speedboat caught the attention of the restless ones. The boatman sorted it out, sent them off for a quick ride, and we waited right there on the water.

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The backwaters briefly forgot how to stay quiet.

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This is why I do not mind waiting.

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The restless came back very happy.

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The familiar sight of a Little Cormorant, wings out to dry.

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Brothers, back on solid ground.

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A group photo before heading for the hills. A few missing. We will catch up with them later.

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We headed to the hills next. On the way, our travel agent asked us to catch a Kathakali dance performance before checking in at the Thekkady resort.

From drifting backwaters to a dimly lit stage heavy with drums, smoke, and colour, the shift was abrupt and oddly perfect. We knew little about the story, but the faces, the eyes, and the deliberate movements held our attention far more than expected.

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Layers of costume moving with a precision that felt almost ceremonial.

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Every gesture deliberate, every finger carrying meaning we could only guess.

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Drums, lamps, smoke, and an audience slowly leaning in.

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Expressions that lingered longer than the story itself.

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When the face does most of the talking.

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Photos capture the costumes, expressions, and stillness, but Kathakali truly comes alive through rhythm, eyes, and the beat of the drum. Here is a short clip from the performance we paused for.

This Kathakali piece depicts the story of Nakrathundi, a demoness who disguises herself as the beautiful Lalitha to deceive Jayantha, the son of Indra. When Jayantha sees through the illusion, fury takes over, leading to a stylised punishment that destroys her pride and sets the stage for a larger war.

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Just a few steps away from the Kathakali stage, we stumbled upon a Kalari Payattu demonstration, Kerala’s ancient martial art known for its fluid strikes, low stances, and breathtaking agility.

The Kalari Payattu demo featured sword fights, unarmed combat against a swordsman, and the fluid menace of flexible blades. Direct, physical, and precise, it made for a sharp contrast to the Kathakali performance next door.

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We finally checked in at the Oxygen Resort. Mist in the trees, quiet balconies, and the forest breathing all around us. The hills had taken over.

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Waking up at the Oxygen Resort was like stepping into another world. The hills were wrapped in mist. The air felt thicker somehow, cooler and heavier with scent. From the balcony, the forest did not look like scenery. It felt alive, breathing with us.

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The video shows the forest waking up, light and shadow shifting through the trees, the distant call of birds, and the faint rustle of unseen movement in the undergrowth. It was not loud or dramatic, just a quiet, lingering sense of presence. The hills making their case for why they deserve your full attention.

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Every morning, before the forest fully woke up, we were greeted by the Malabar Whistling Thrush. Its call was not a song as much as a slow, flute like whistle, clear and unhurried, drifting through the mist and echoing between the trees. It felt less like a bird call and more like the forest itself announcing a new day.

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Hearing that unmistakable whistle, I followed the resort trails to track down its source. It did not take long. One appeared, quietly confident, moving between railings, forest floor, and low perches.

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The deep indigo sheen caught the light differently each time it shifted, sometimes almost black, sometimes glowing blue.

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I kept walking the trails, hoping for more movement in the trees, and soon the White bellied Treepie obliged. Loud, curious, and impossible to ignore, it announced itself before showing up.

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Sunlight slipped through the trees in pale shafts, turning mist into something almost solid.

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Initially, it was just a silhouette against the pale sky. Wanting a better shot, I followed it, and soon the shape resolved into a Malabar Giant Squirrel, flowing through the canopy with effortless ease.

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Finally got the shot. I chased it for a better frame, and the Malabar Giant Squirrel paused just long enough.

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The next morning, the forest drew me back in. I wandered the resort trails again, letting the jungle decide what birds it wanted to reveal.

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The forest waking up quietly.

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The forest was still, almost holding its breath. Then, as if it had always been there, the Jungle Owlet revealed itself on a mossy branch.

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A brief flash of blue as a Malabar Parakeet cut across the sky and vanished.

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A little later, the forest opened up. This Plum headed Parakeet paused just long enough, a splash of colour against the blue, before slipping back into the trees.

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A Shikra sat quietly above the trail, watching everything while I stood still and watched it back.

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Some birds came right to the balcony. This Indian Golden Oriole lit up the morning, unbothered by my presence and perfectly framed by the leaves.

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Then the Southern Hill Myna appeared, glossy and loud, owning the treetops for a while before moving on.

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Between birding walks, we slowed down indoors, gathering around a carrom board where time passed quietly and smiles came easy.

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A quiet moment together, just us, before the day wandered on again.

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And yes, a quick game of table tennis, because the resort had room for play too.

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We took turns behind the camera and made memories.

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The Sathram off road safari promised wildlife sightings. We saw none, but the rough trail and sweeping views were worth every minute.

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On the way back from Sathram, the adventurous among us tried ziplining.

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Some of us chose the elephant safari and enjoyed it.

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I stayed back and looked closer. Eyes, skin, feet, and stories written in texture.

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We posed with the giant. Rohan stayed close, and a little terrified.

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The journey eased into tea gardens and a simple spice walk.

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We spent some time spice shopping and picked up spices, coffee, cashews, and tea from local stores.

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The year ended with birds, mist, shared laughter, and long pauses in between. Exactly how I hoped it would.

Wishing you all a happy new year and many moments worth waiting for.