My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
The most natural thing to do when it starts raining is to go looking for shelter, especially when it pours cats and dogs....... Most of us prefer watching the rain from the safety and comforts of our homes, and I have seen the same instinct in many birds which huddle among thick leaves, attempting to find some sanctuary.... However, every now and then I come across something which makes me wonder if these creatures actually want to get away from the rain, or if they,unlike us, are equally comfortable even when it pours.... like the kingfisher which patiently awaited its prey even though it was drenched.....
And just a couple of days back, I happened to notice this butterfly flitting around a tree (incidentally, a curry leaves tree - does it hold a special fascination for butterflies???), while it poured and poured. At first, we thought it was trying to find a place to settle, but it simply refused to sit in one place, going round and round, from one branch to another, intermittently visiting other trees before returning to this one.....
We observed the butterfly for almost half an hour, and Samhith actually started worrying if its wings would get destroyed by the rain beating down..... but the butterfly seemed to be least affected by the rain.....
Here are some pics.....
Very nice observation. Thanks for sharing. Yes, I guess few require shelter but kingfisher seems to be enjoying rain.
ReplyDeleteLovely.... Butterflies i love, and can sit stare at em, or follow them around for hours!! :)
ReplyDeleteGood photos. You have a keen sense of observation.
ReplyDeleteI too love watching butterflies but have never observed the rain phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteSomething to ponder about. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteit's always very pleasant to watch butterflies! i had a dragonfly at my balcony this week... i just uploaded the pic (http://pic-k-s.blogspot.com/) and stumbled on to your blog!
ReplyDeletevery well written
ReplyDeletenice shots
Butterflies hide under leaves when it rains, my mother told me so when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful observation.
ReplyDeleteAnd monsoons bring in a lot of moths as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Anu..you've got some real useful stuff here. Visit my blog http://mybioscope.blogspot.com/ whenever you've got time. Some weeks back I had been to Maharashtra Nature Park where I had photographed lots of butterflies. Hope you like them!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures and a well written piece.
ReplyDeleteI am always fascinated by rains.
It makes one feel so romantic.
great post...like this photo!
ReplyDelete