The first time I visited Pandharpur was back in 2007 . The names Vitthal and Pandharpur, were just names to me. I had heard of them, but that was about it. Seeing the lord standing on the brick, hands on his hips, was memorable, but more memorable was the sight that greeted us as we walked out of the main sanctum of the temple. In the mandap just outside were a group of devotees singing abhangs , and dancing. This was the first time I had heard abhangs , and even almost 15 years later, I can remember the welling of feeling within me, listening to the songs, and how fascinated I was by the sight of the devotees dancing, lost in their love of the Lord. Over the years, as I have read more about Vitthal, and participated in Ashadi Ekadashi programmes at Puttaparthi, that first experience has stayed clear in my mind and heart. Every time I tell my Balvikas students of the saints who sang of Vitthala, it is that experience that I re-live. I visited Pandharpur again, in 2010, but that experie
Rose Ringed Parakeets are regular visitors to our home, and, considering that they are so visible, (and also so audible, and thus easily spotted), I have clicked them often. Yet, as the winter shows signs of setting in, and the parakeets come visiting more often, I cannot help sharing some more recent clicks. All these have been clicked in the last week. And it is thanks to Mridula that I realized that what I had clicked weren't the usual Rose Ringed Parakeets I usually see, but Alexandrine Parakeets!
From what I could learn, Alexandrine Parakeets are bigger than the rose ringed ones, and they can be easily identified by the maroon patch on their wing coverts. More interestingly, the species gets its name from Alexander the Great, who is credited with the exporting of numerous specimens of this bird from Punjab into various European and Mediterranean countries, where they were considered prized possessions for nobles and royalty.
Coming back to the birds I noticed, It is obvious that their breeding season has begun. No wonder I can hear them all the time, screeching away, attracting their mates, fighting away their rivals.. I don't know if I can call them 'expressions'. but the eyes of these birds, especially the males, seem to speak volumes, do they not?
P.S. Thanks, Mridula for correcting me. I had simply assumed they were the ring necked ones, because they are the ones I see all the time!
Anu these aee alexandrine parrots I think. Lovely images!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Mridula! Have changed the title as well the text. i simply assumed they were the usual ones :(
Deletewhat an interesting and creative work.... really a nice talent... loved your work very much....keep it up and keep sharing your creativity with us.
ReplyDeleteWow, so many of them, lovely shots.. Happy birdwatching...
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