International Kite Festival 2012

Similar to last 3 years this year too we had International Kite Festival 2012 at Mangalore. It was held on 21st & 22nd January 2012. I went on Sunday to photograph these colorful kites. Compared to last 3 years variety of kites this year were less. But the show was better organized this year. Thousands … Read more

Moodabidri Kambala 2012

My home town Moodabidri hosted its 10th annual buffalo race also called Kambala at Kadalakere Nisargadhama on Saturday January 21. The Kambala or the buffalo race is unique to Udupi & Mangalore districts. Historically Kambala was the event when farmers paid tribute to their gods for protecting their crops. There used to be lot of … Read more

Paddyfield Pipit

I had earlier written about Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus rufulus). I had another opportunity to meet this bird. It was well camouflaged in the tall grass. I was shooting at a playground. Despite people around playing cricket near it, the bird was busy foraging along with its companion. I was using Canon EOS 1D Mark IV … Read more

Robber Fly

I do a lot of close-up photography with my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM + 1.4x or 2.0x extender. That’s not the most usual combination for close-up photography, but has several advantages: Long working distance: Due to the long focal length (420mm or 600mm) I can work at a longer distance from your subject … Read more

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Chestnut-tailed Starling

That Saturday, there was a cacophony of birds in my garden. As I went out I saw a White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), a paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) and a pair of Chestnut-tailed Starlings (Sturnus malabaricus) were having their own private hunting party. So I picked up my Canon EOS 1D Mark IV fitted it with … Read more

Brown Shrike

Brown Shrike

That Sunday evening as I was returning from my photography round, I found this Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) sitting on an Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa) Tree. I was quite far away from the bird and there was no way I could approach the bird without startling this vigilant bird. I was holding Canon EOS 5D … Read more