Skywatch Friday - Birds From My Window

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.

Skywatch Friday - Birds From My Window

If it's Friday, it's time for Skywatch! Wondering what I was going to post today, going through my photos, I realised that when I looked out of my window, at the sky, more often than not, I saw birds! So, here are some birds that I see quite often. These are just common birds, but each of them is a joy to watch...

The Red Vented Bulbuls are the most frequent visitors, and I have loads and loads of photos I have clicked of them. This one happens to be my favourite, because of the odd expression he seems to have on!

The Red Whiskered Bulbul is also a regular visitor, but this one is a little more shy of my camera, since he flies off before I can focus!

And then there are the sunbirds - We dont get to see the Purple sunbird often, but the Purple Rumped Sunbirds are regulars.

Capturing them is a challenge, since they flit so quickly between flowers, and hide amidst the leaves.

But there are those rare times when they stay still on a branch long enough for me to click...

or I manage to capture one mid-flight...

Monsoons bring the Egrets in dozens....

and the White Throated Kingfishers....

The Water Hen is also a frequent Monsoon visitor...

And then we have the Tailor birds....

I first mistook them for the sunbirds.. they are just as small... and look quite similar to the females, but now, I see them often enough differentiate between the two.. but not often enough to get some really good photos..

The Coppersmith Barbet is a bird I hear more often than I see! Their distinctive call is heard from quite a distance, and I don't often figure out which tree they are on. No surprise then, that this is one bird I have photographed rarely... Just last week, I managed to see one sitting for quite a while on a branch, but it flew just as I clicked....

And then there are of course, the Parakeets, which I have written many posts about!!

With so many birds around, don't you think the sky seems a wonderful sight?

So, what do you think of my version of the Skywatch this week? To see photos of beautiful skies from around the world, go to the Skywatch Page..

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw

The Havelis of Bikaner - A Photo Post

The lanes are narrow , twisting and turning amidst buildings old and new. Crumbling old structures with intricate workmanship stand side by side with art deco buildings, and more modern constructions, which follow no particular style. Autos, bicycles, motorcycles and vans rush past, blowing their horns as loudly as possible, while cows saunter past peacefully, completely unaffected by the noise. In the midst of all this chaos, children play by the side, and women go about their chores, as we explore these by-lanes of Bikaner, and its beautiful Havelis. Facade of one of the Rampuria Havelis

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.

A Wandering Mind

Search This Blog

Featured Post

The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023