Yellow-billed Babbler

Yellow-billed Babbler

It was the golden light of winter solstice evening which was illuminating the ground as well as this Yellow-billed Babbler on a branch with a spider in its beak. It was photographed using my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L II IS USM with Canon EF 2X III Extender on Canon EOS 5D Mark III Camera. The … Read more

The Darzee Bird

Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)

I came across this dainty Tailorbird, Orthotomus sutorius, amidst the brush and scrub at Bondel. It was photographed using my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L II IS USM with Canon EF 2X III Extender on Canon EOS 5D Mark III Camera. Tailorbirds are a common sight in our cities and garden. It is one of the … Read more

Gentle Giants

Malabar Giant Squirrel

I came across this Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) at Kudremukh National Park. Giant squirrels have always fascinated me. Unlike their constantly chattering, city slicking cousins, the palm squirrels, these gentle giants are elusive tree canopy dwellers, easily distinguished by their large size and a two to three toned, conspicuous color scheme. The head and … Read more

Vampires of the Crawling Kingdom

Amongst all denizens of the crawling kingdom, none perhaps evoke such strong and disparate feelings of loathsome fear and unbridled fascination as Spiders. Love them or loathe them, spiders were here before us – first appearing on the scene some 400 million years ago, before the mighty dinosaurs and long before the early mammals decided … Read more

Jewel in My Backyard

Green Jewel Bug - Chrysocoris sp.

Driven by a dream that a seer had about a hidden treasure, the Archaeological Survey of India started its excavation in a fort in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, India few days back. After several days of futile digging, excavation had to be called off for the lack any treasure. I did not have to dig anywhere … Read more

I love to Singa or An ode to the Cicada

Platypleura Species of Cicada - Side View

Last winter’s eve, late one night, a dainty Cicada invited itself into my dining room and having done so, proceeded to perch atop my glass topped dining table. Ever the one to seize an opportunity, I carefully slid a sheet of paper underneath it, and proceeded to take a few pictures. Seemingly unperturbed, the Cicada … Read more