we had an errand to do in the next town, Vengurla and on the way back we stopped at a shop on one of the main roads in town. i was precariously parked so i stayed in the car while my wife went in the shop. while i was waiting i noticed there was a tiny creek just in front of where i was parked. being in the middle of the town by a main road, i expected it to be rather dirty. but then i noticed an Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii as it appeared from behind some bushes. there's no mistaking this easy to identify bird with the bright yellow eye and matching beak along with the striped head and long neck. it was clearly on the hunt and didn't seem to notice me when i got out of the car to snap a few shots. these are quite common birds wherever there is fresh water but i don't recall ever being so close to one without it immediately flying away. maybe it is used to people around, since it was in the middle of a busy town.
