Swallows Beneath My Feet

May 27, 2015May 31, 2015 ~ Lalitha Krishnan ~ Leave a comment

Watch:https://youtu.be/is_B65A_SAQ

Related article via Washington Dept. of Fish And Wildlife. http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/swallows.html

Himalayan Cuckoo Atop A Deodar

May 17, 2015February 6, 2017 ~ Lalitha Krishnan ~ Leave a comment

This beautiful cuckoo graced the deodar outside for just a few minutes. The call was a distinct giveaway but I wasn’t fast enough to capture it. The video and stills were shot through a glass door so they’re not very sharp.

Watch my video:http://youtu.be/2j56MpEaimc

: Himalayan_Cuckoo_atop_a_Himalayan_Cedar

: #HimalayanCuckoo(Cuculus saturatus)

Related sites: Click on the link to hear cuckoo calls: Via xeno_cantohttp://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Cuculus-saturatus

Via wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_cuckoo

Hippotion Celerio Hawk-Moth. Nocturnal Visitor In My Garden

May 13, 2015February 6, 2017 ~ Lalitha Krishnan ~ Leave a comment

At sundown a few evenings ago, I saw what I thought were two bees around my flower pots. They were still there an hour later. On taking a closer look I realised there were moths, though quite different from the hawk moth that I was familiar with. I took the camera out in time to get a few shots before nightfall. It wasn’t easy as these moths were flitting around like they couldn’t make up their minds; barely hovering over a flower for a second or so. Peter Smetacek, a lepidopterist-friend, helped me id the moths. Peter is one of India’s experts when it comes to butterflies and moths and has got a whole lot of us “infected” as he says, with his passion for the flutterby.

The Hippotion Celerio is also called the Vine hawk moth or Silver striped Hawk moth. With summer flowers blooming, I hope I get to see more of the Sphingidae family.

Read more about Hawk Moths and Peter via Woodstock School:http://www.woodstockschool.in/hovers-like-a-hummingbird-looks-like-a-bee/

Related article on the Vine moth via wiki:.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippotion_celerio

Here's another Hawk moth — Here’s another Hawk moth

#Hawk-moth — Are moths attracted to shades of pink and purple?

The Body Language of Himalayan Langurs

January 29, 2014November 6, 2017 ~ Lalitha Krishnan ~ 2 Comments

Himalayan Langurs look almost human. You only have to observe them to see the similarities. It’s another matter Langurs behave a lot better than some people I know! They possess the intelligence to leave you alone if you let them be: and don’t normally steal your food or snarl as you pass by like the Rhesus do.

In fact, they seem to know to coexist with the different species that inhabit high altitude terrain unlike most of us; and as I discovered, will even pose for a photograph now and then. I find them fascinating but am no longer surprised by their good behaviour.