Pond Heron on the Bund

An Indian pond heron stands hunched on a paddy-field bund, its streaky buff plumage set against electric-green rice. Drab now — but watch what happens when it flies. Fun fact: The pond heron is nicknamed the "paddybird," and it hides a spectacular secret: dull brown at rest, it flashes brilliant white wings the instant it takes off, seeming to vanish and reappear.