Wild Flowers of the Monsoon

On a recent birding trip to Valley School, I learnt a few important lessons in patience. The birds were many, but photographs few. The foliage, the restlessness of the birds and my incompetence all contributed to the lack of good bird photographs.

Fortunately, the lack of cooperative birds, brought to my attention the flowers that grow wild, particularly during the monsoon. I know absolutely nothing about these flowers, except that I found each of them breath-takingly beautiful.



This is a Passion Flower - partially opened. We would never seen this amazing looking flower, had we not stopped to look at a sun bird near by.



This was a tiny pink flower that was growing just on the road side. It looked very delicate and was beautifully placed.




Often in our haste, we pass by many such beauties everyday. Do stop and have a look at nature's art, it is well worth the effort.

Armchair Birding

When one is weary of long drives and walks to see the birds we seek, one wishes that they would just show up at our door step. Sometimes, they do.

I was sitting in our living room, facing the balcony door, which was partially open to let in a little light. It was tea time, around 4:30pm. I was cleaning the dust off my camera lens.

My Dad noticed that a Pariah Kite had alighted on the lamp-post just in front of our balcony. Swiftly put in batteries and took a few shots. Since the bird was at eye level, I didnt even have to leave my chair.



This image is best seen in large size, if your bandwidth permits.

I took the shots in Continuous Mode on the Camera. This resulted in a capture of a Kite Blink.



This is the first time Ive seen a bird blink. It sat for around 2 minutes. Just as I got up to bring the tripod, it took off again.

FYI : Next Post will be on wild flowers.

Nature at Work

It is not always necessary to go to 'out of the way' places to get an opportunity
to commune with nature. Often, we need to look only as far as backyards or office gardens.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of species my office campus supported.
The Lake at Baghmane Tech Park is being developed and beautified with several
colourful flowers along its banks. They attract a wide variety of butterflies, bees
dragonflies and damsel-flies.




Being situated next to the DRDO campus (which enjoys a dense green cover) is a definate advantage.



We spotted 3 different water snakes. One was kind enough to pose, after it
overcame its initial shyness.




Bird Sightings

Brahminy Kites
Pariah Kites
Little Egrets ( distinguished by yellow feet)
Little Cormorants
White Breasted KingFisher - 1
Large Pied WagTail - Pair
Pond Herons
SunBirds - (too far to tell the species)
Ashy Prinias
Spotted Doves
Blue Rock Pigeon


I was rather disappointed by the number of plastic biscuit wrappers and
cigarette boxes that littered the edges of the lake. It is unfortunate that
educated employees of the surrounding IT companies cannot exhibit civic sense
and dispose of trash in the many bins provided.