Back to Kullu — and woeful civilization — after a half-done but nonetheless fulfilling trek in the Great Himalayan National Park. And, with that, we conclude this series by Sandeep Somasekharan. Continue reading GHNP Trek Day 7-9 – Lapa-Neuli-Kullu and civilization
Once we are across the bridge, it feels as if behind us a huge wall of forest has grown, shutting us out completely. It is silent, dark and mysterious. Day 2 of our Great Himalayan National Park trek, recounted by Sandeep Somasekharan Continue reading GHNP Trek Day 2: Beyond the bridge, the wilderness
Even birders rarely felicitate bulbuls with a second glance, worse if they are Red-whiskered or Red-vented Bulbuls. But when we head up to the hills, the sight of the Himalayan Bulbul is a joy to us. For it means we are in the hills, and there’s a bounty of birdlife waiting to be discovered. Continue reading Encounter – Himalayan Bulbul
Christmas day, I took out my socks and found my car keys inside. I took it as a portent and headed out birding Continue reading Christmas Day birding on a lark
Is a kingfisher’s hard-earned meal tastier than something that came by easy? That’s some food for thought Continue reading Food for thought
The first time I came upon ‘chough’ I thought it was a dictionary entry for an act of expectoration by one with a North Indian surname. It would be a few years before I got the hang of what it was really – a kind of crow Continue reading Chuffed by a chough
The goose was headed for the bar, as it were. Or, at least that’s how some understood it. Never take a bird’s name too literally – and other wisdom from interacting with non-birders. Continue reading Will a goose by any other name…
You have probably seen the Grey Plover on a sandy beach in Kerala and not paid it any attention. Up close, its grace and beauty are alluring Continue reading On The Wing: Meet the Grey Plover
Looking at the reflection of a Little Egret in Kabini revealed clues to its future marital eligibility Continue reading A Little Egret’s moment of reflection
On the rarest of rare occasions, your boring desk job can get really interesting. If it takes you on short trips to lands unseen. July 2012 was one such, for it took me the United States and kept me there for four months. I was mostly busy with work but the weekends were left to me. So what does a bored birder do on weekends? That one’s a sitter. Continue reading Americana – a birding diary from the United States
On the first day of 2014, we found this adorable Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) in half minds whether to sing or not. Warm sunshine, sandy beaches and blue skies – who wouldn’t want to? Continue reading Morning Raga by the Kentish Plover
The Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola) is a bird of decidedly unique appearance. It found along the coasts of Asia and Africa, where it chases after crabs and deftly pries them open with its highly specialized steak-knife of a bill. Here’s a picture of one on a beach in Kerala. Continue reading Say, does this Crab Plover speak Malayalam?
Rain drives some of us indoors. But a Green Ogre loves nothing more than to step out, get wet and click madly. Uh, let’s go see what the birds are up to. Continue reading Monsoon romance: Birds love rain, rain loves birds
For many years, the Spotted Forktail was just an apparition in a dream. Now, happily twitched off the list, it is one of my favourite Himalayan birds. Continue reading Encounter – The Spotted Forktail
The thin line between beautification and photo-manipulation can get troublesome… if the culprit manipulates the vital evidence! Continue reading April Fooled: A drongo’s spot of bother!