Eurasian Thick Knee

The Stone Curlew or Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus is a northern species of the Burhinidae (stone-curlew) bird family also known as Eurasian Thick knee.
It is a medium-sized wader with a strong yellow and black beak, large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance), and cryptic plumage. The bird is striking in flight, with black and white wing markings.

Despite being classed as a wader, this species prefers dry open habitats with some bare ground. It is largely nocturnal, particularly when singing its loud wailing songs, which are reminiscent of that of curlews. Food consists of insects and other small invertebrates. It will also take small reptiles and rodents. It lays 2-3 eggs in a narrow scrape in the ground.

The stone curlew occurs throughout Europe, north Africa and southwestern Asia. It is a summer migrant in the more temperate European and Asian parts of its range, wintering in Africa.
Source- Wikipedia.
This Bird was photographed by me in Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh ,India and has been sighthed in this part after a gap of four five years as per my experienced birding friends.  

Butterflies: the bounty of nature

One late autumn afternoon gazing out of the window I discovered a beautiful world among the blooming flowers.My instant instinct was to grab my camera and capture the marvel of nature before it was too late, and I missing it.presented below are some moments harnessed from the nature for you to enjoy.