Flora & Fauna

Clitoria-Ternatea: Found on the wayside during a casual walk…

Another one…

The greater flamingo has the most widespread distribution of all flamingo species. Populations are found in Northwest India, the Middle East, the Western Mediterranean and Africa. Limited numbers of this species can be found over much of northern Europe and eastward to Siberia. Male and female flamingo coloration is the same.

Newly-hatched chicks are gray or white. Chicks are gray or white when they hatch. Juveniles are grayish, taking approximately one to two years to obtain full adult coloration. Parents may lose some of their pink coloration while raising young. At least that one is understandable…

The crown of thorns plant has a few different names. It is also known as the Siamese lucky plant. They are highly toxic to animals. If you have animals grazing in your yard you may choose not to plant these thorn plants. Although the affects of the plant are not fatal, they are highly irritating and can cause digestive problems and diarrhea. Blistering of the feet and skin can be seen as well as hair loss and dermatitis. Even humans can be affected if they come in contact with the white thick watery substance that is inside the plant.

Wild Rose

Pigeons in flight

Tiger

Garden Spider

Large scale dew harvesting systems have been made by Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) with the participation of the International Organisation for Dew Utilization (OPUR) at coastal semi arid region Kutch. These condensers can harvest more than 200 litres (on average) of dew water per night for about 90 nights in the dew season October–May. The research lab of IIMA has shown that dew can serve as a supplementary source of water in coastal arid areas.

Forgotten

Buds

Green bottle fly…

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) is an aquatic plant which can live and reproduce floating freely on the surface of fresh waters or can be anchored in mud. Plant size ranges from a few inches to a metre in height. Its rate of proliferation under certain circumstances is extremely rapid and it can spread to cause infestations over large areas of water causing a variety of problems. It grows in mats up to 2 metres thick which can reduce light and oxygen, change water chemistry, affect flora and fauna and cause significant increase in water loss due to evapotranspiration. It also causes practical problems for marine transportation, fishing and at intakes for hydro power and irrigation schemes. It is now considered a serious threat to biodiversity.

The early visitor on the orchid flower…

Pelicans.. and their apparent indifference.

Dragonflies which were once seen everywhere has become a real rarety. Even in villages of remote Kerala, they have almost become extinct. One of them was seen merrily flying around before settling down and this was spotted in the middle of the capital city.

Elephant’s Ear… or so the gardener calls it.

Another one… Stag Horn

I do not know the name of this one… blooms once a year-for christmas-climber, great fragrance, night flower, of course. Anyone knows the name… please do feel free to email me.

The cow was curious about the camera… seen in a farm near Stanmer Park, Brighton (more details under the title “Spring”)

With exceptions to certain birds, most flee at the sight of humans. But this one was different. He stopped to have a good look at me and went on with his business.However, as I moved closer for a better shot (macro? just kidding), he flew away at the last possible second.

While football is the most popular modern sport, traditional pastimes such as falconry and horse-riding are still practiced by wealthier Bahrainis. A male falcon or hawk is often referred to as a “tiercel” (Tercel). the most traditional species flown against the Sandgrouse and the Hare are the Saker Falcon. Photographed here is one against a red-wall background using a Nikkor 70-300mm lens.

One afternoon, with particualrly nothing else to do, while wandering through some of the home plants, I found this Flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum) literally glowing in the afternoon sun. Backlit petals and leaves gave a great view and the result was this shot.

Coming downhill from the hill stations of Ponmudi en route Bonacaud Estate, the once lush green tea estates, now filled with an undergrowth of weeds, the road narrowed. The view, however, was magnificent…

Lone rose…

Peppervines often grow on their own.. or so it seems. Sunlight filtering through the mango tree triggers many a reminiscences that is home..

Adamantly defending his space, the green leaf of a short bush right infront of our home, this tiny spider showed no fear. He even tried to touch the lens. Not a shy one this one…