Just got back home after a wonderful week in North Sikkim, photographing birds in the cold heights of Lachen, Thangu & Lachung. There are a few lovely moments from the trip that will remain etched in my mind – the one right on top would be the mind-blowing session with a huge flock of Grandala.
The male Grandala is such a stunningly coloured bird that I couldn’t help but gasp when I first sighted it. He has a shiny royal-blue plumage, evocative of Robin Liquid Blue (that would bring back childhood memories for people of my generation in my country). When kissed by sunlight, the royal-blue tends to lose its iridescence and appears white at some angles. This was just a single individual though, he must have got left behind by the rest of the flock. Or perhaps he stayed back on purpose to give us a preview and prep us for the grand spectacle the next day.
Whichever it was, that was quite unexpected as these birds always are found in large flocks – security in numbers helps protect them from raptors. They also seem to fly in unison – just one of them taking off triggers a sequence of all the other birds following suit. And they invariably settle down on the same tree – a Grandala tree is quite a sight to behold and looks as if the tree is full of brilliant-blue flowers or fruits.
Given my recent fascination with flocks, I had to capture one of the flock flying.
I didn’t have a wide-enough lens to get the entire flock (must have been about 600-700 by our reckoning), but this frame captures the essence of the sight.
Of birds, birdies and biryanis 
I love this photo, Samyukth. Any chance i can have the photo to put up on my wall?
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Thanks for liking the image, Rana. Of course, I can send you a good nice hi-res version for you to use. Let me know if it is a digital wall (as in a screen-saver) or are you planning on printing it for a physical wall?
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That is very kind of you. I am planning to print it, frame it and put on my physical wall. I am excited about it as it such a lovely photo ! Thank you soo much.
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Ah, I see your reply just now. Can you drop me a mail at samyukth@gmail.com. I would love to know the size you would like to print so that I can give you an adequately hi-res image. This image should print well at 18″x12″ at 300dpi. I will need to resize if you are looking at printing a bigger size.
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Hi Samyukth…..just wondering if you received my reply to your question? Thanks Rana
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No I didn’t Rana. Do you want to email me at samyukth@gmail.com?
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Beautiful click..I would like to visit Sikkim…May I know which is the best season to watch these blue birdie..this must not be miss..
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Thanks Yogesh. Feb-March would be the best time to see them at this altitude. They move to higher altitudes with the summer.
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