Crow Nest and Crow Chicks

A couple of crows have built a nest in the Rain Tree right outside of the balcony. 2 months back, I saw a crow nest on the Indian Tulip Tree next to the Rain Tree, and the nest was rest on the treetop so I could only see that too not clear for the eyes or cam lens. But I'm not sure it was the same nest rebuilt here because once the crow started building the nest, the other one disappeared, which I didn't notice after the new one. 

 

The nest was there for nearly a month now, but only last week I saw chicks peeking top of the nest with a wide-open beak. The nest looks like a basket with a bowl-like pit and is surrounded by leaves to see when the crow laid eggs and hatched chicks. My cousin said she saw two eggs, and both seem to be hatched, but I see only one wide-open beak at a time, so I couldn't be sure it was the same.  

 

The crows are always there, either sitting on the nest to brood or maintain a watchful distance. The parenting crows are friendly with us, unlike early, hitting the head when coming out into the balcony when nested. Perhaps, because these crows see us daily or old residents of the neighborhood, despite picking up titbits from the leftover dog food on the balcony, one crow used to venture into the living room to seek food for its chicks.  

 

Another day I was eating something, and the crow came perched on the stool nearby in a gesture of asking for food, and the compassion in me couldn't stop dropping down pieces of food to the floor next to the wheelchair was picked up by the crow. We have a couple of dogs, and they always sleep on the balcony but never did they scared crows unless irritated, and for us, they are annoying sometimes when pooped on the clothes that are left for dry on the balcony rail. But for this reason, alone, we couldn't stop leaving food for crows.  

My mom captured the nest (pic above) from the balcony above us showed the chick's partial underparts. But seeing her shooting nest, the crows flew in and covered the chicks, and thus she couldn't capture a clear picture of the nest. I think the chicks would get the wing to fly in a few weeks, but so far, its wide-open red beak alone is visible for me.  

Oussudu Lake between Pondicherry-Tamil Nadu

Oussudu Lake is about 8-9 km from the center of Puducherry city towards the west. I visited the Oussudu lake in February when driving to Puducherry after visiting the Veedur Dam near Villupuram. I should have checked out the Lake in 2015 when I attended a friend's marriage in Puducherry, but I lost track of the route at a junction and went on with the plan of visiting the National Fossil Wood Park in Thiruvakkarai.

We had a different experience with Oussudu Lake (also called Ousteri Lake) that has nothing to do with the lake. As we left home early in the morning, we only took our breakfast with the plan of having lunch at Puducherry had been delayed by the road conditions and diversions. Moreover, being Sunday and almost 2 pm, most of the restaurants on the way were either closed or had no food; we who intended to have Biriyani decided to go into the city, but our best, we found a delicious biriyani just a few km from the lake.

It was 3.30 when we end our lunch from the tree shades opposite Oussudu Lake. Being new to the place, we had to check many hotels along the way quite annoyed and came to a mindset of having whatever's available to eat. And only then my cousin called his friend, and he directed us to the restaurants' area.

My google maps showed a restaurant named Irfan, and what could I think further other than going directly over there when there is a restaurant in the name of the popular food Youtuber/vlogger Irfan. The biriyani, as well as the other non-veg items we bought, were delicious. And its taste was a testament to the fame of the name Irfan.

Oussudu Lake has a boathouse with a boating facility by the Puducherry tourism, and they maintain a small park along the lake bank. February was a time Covid cases were fewer in numbers, but being Sunday, there was a mild crowd around the jetty; and some were resting and taking naps at the benches under the tree shadows is no surprise as it was a breezy afternoon.

The lake covers an area of about 800 hectares, and it was equally divided by the states of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. Oussudu is the largest lake in Puducherry and a migratory park for birds, and during winters, the overseas birds visit the lake and build nests on trees.

Due to the generous northeast monsoon, the lake was up to its brim and waveringly. People have happily drowned their legs in the water while sitting on the stairs, a bunch onboard returning from a ride on the lake. I couldn't spend much time at the lake despite the afternoon breeze and shadows were inviting; I left to explore a beach before head back home. 

சுற்றுப்புற சொர்க்கம் / Ambient paradise

காற்றோடு கவி பாடும் குயில் 

மலரரோடு தேன்  சுவைக்கும்  வண்டு 

கிளையொடு கழைக்கூத்தாடும் அணில் 

கீச் கீச் என்று மாங் குத்தும் கிளி   

அழைக்கும் சைகையில் மயக்கும் மைனா 

மறைந்திருந்து சடசடக்கும் மீன்கொத்தி  

ஆரவாரத்துடன் வந்த தவிட்டு குருவிகள் 

எல்லாம் சேர்ந்து சொர்கத்திற்கு வித்திட்டன. 

translate in eng:

The cuckoo sang with the wind 

Honey-tasting beetle with flower 

A squirrel acrobat with branches 

Mango stabbing parrot shrieks

Myna enchants in the nodding gesture

Kingfisher rattle from somewhere hideaway

Yellow-billed babbler that came with cheers

Altogether,  they sowed to heaven.

A Wild Experience and Bloom

 

Captured this cute little blossom from the wilderness mixed with fear and excitement! It seems like a kind of wild daisy flower was bloomed a lot alongside the headwaters of the Bhavani River in Nilgiris, and these flowers were tiny and less than an inch in size bloomed in white as well.

The headwater of the Bhavani River is one of the wildest places I have visited (in 2011) and, it still excites me to think back. There was no one at the place when we visited as 7, not because it was a weekday or off-seasoned, but it's a restricted place and needs permission from the forest department. It's not an easy task unless a few years ago, before the forest department make revenue by turning it into an ecotourism spot.

Once entered, we are cut off from the outside world, though it was 10 years before - even now too; if trapped, we would be left to a standstill until the forest officers come to rescue. Photography was prohibited inside the forest, but we had no option, and it's impossible to resist taking photos as what we see was pristine in its beauty to the senses. Despite the warning, the officer in charge tested our truthfulness by enquiring we have a camera; later encouraged us that going inside the forest without a camera is worthless and said it's ok to carry a camera and make sure to keep it out of their officials' sight.

I never shared any photos shot from my visit to this place, not that it was prohibited but to protect nature in my personal interest. Today many photos are upload from this place, and perhaps to say after it was open to the tourist in the name of ecotourism.  This part of the western catchment area contributes a tremendous amount of water - for hydroelectric, irrigation, and drinking, which needs to be preserved from any action against its ecosystem.

There are a few more lists of places I visited that I have no idea of sharing in the future too. But I wish I could write my experience here and there.

Nostalgic Wind

 

The nostalgic wind blows me

down the memory lane

I cherish the essence of reminiscence

melting down like ice on leaves

as winter gives way for spring.

 

It wasn't a surprise as the season returns

even if relationships aren't in form as before

memories could not resign from office;

the heartstrings feel the gentle strokes

as wind touches the senses.

 

The squirrels and parakeets’ screech

despite their shrieks, the afternoon

remained silent in the void of curfew;

the winged birds fly, and the wind blows

who dares to shut their doors?

 

The wind becomes stronger later

as storm clouds gathered to oppose

the sun shutters its shop earlier; 

the memories of summer rain harvested

as the storm, at last, hit hard on us.

In protection of Sparrows

Mom reminded me this morning that today (March 20) is World Sparrow Day; although I was thinking about this day at the beginning of the month, I lost thought of sparrows, like how they lost their habitation from our Indian cities. The song of the sparrows almost lost track from the memories; however, I try to remember their tweet, it couldn't reach my ears; perhaps other volumes have risen to deafen my ears from listening to the sound of mind voice.

House sparrow shot from an upper mountain village near Kodaikanal.

The last time I saw sparrows was in 2018 when I visited a part of western ghats but not away from the human habitat. Sparrows are friends of humans, and we shouldn't have forgotten their friendship when we technically grew and adapt to a lifestyle that snatched their lives. There could be various reason for their disappearance in cities, but we cannot deny that human mistake is a major part of the series of issues.

Until 2015, the sparrows exist in the backyard of my grandparent's house in the neighborhood. The backyard was cleared to build a home for my grandfather's comfort when he was ill, but it wasn't their intention to drive away sparrows, and of course, no one intends of destroying a habitation when bringing changes in lives. And it happens beyond our consciousness and needs.

I remember how sparrows used to build their nest in front of the grandpa’s tea shop, using the hay stored for feeding cows and buffaloes; despite the activities of people who come to have tea, the sparrows lived peacefully and reproduced. Sometimes they build their nest in the cowshed and the gaps of the planks of the tiled roof.

As a society, everyone is responsible for the extinction of the sparrow, and it is the responsibility of the same community to protect the sparrows that remain here and there. Not only sparrows, but we also need to protect all kinds of birds on the brink of extinction. World Sparrow Day is the day designed to move this activity forward and raise awareness of the house sparrows. It is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organizations across the world.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Neighbor's Mango Tree

Summer has not completely covered yet, as I could still feel some cool weather in the evening and night; the mango tree in the house opposite us bears fruits, following an unusual bloom in winter. The tree went through a major cut off in late 2019, failed to produce fruits last year, but yet I saw a lone mango hang down the tree!

This time it started to bear fruits before the season begins, and it looks like it would take time to ripen.

The tree lost many of its branches to the prune, and I wasn't happy looking at the sight of a part of the tree fall. Though the tree slowly gets back to shape, the lost side facing the road would take a few more seasons to rebuild its lost limbs. The tree continues to bloom seems to produce more mangoes in the coming days and what you see in the photos were shot last week.

இளம் சூரிய ஒளி / Young Sunlight

இதமான தன் கதிர் தூரிகையால்
வருடியவாறே, ஓய்வுக்கு சென்றது சூரியன்.
இதயத்தில் நம்பிக்கையை ஒளிரவிடும்  வகையில்
இளம் மஞ்சள் ஒளியை ஏந்தியவாறு
இளம் வெப்ப நுனியில் தலை கோதி 

இரவை துணையாக விட்டு சென்றது. 

------------- --------------

Pleasant with her radiant brush

The sun caressed as she went to rest.

To illuminate hope in the heart

She carried a young yellow light,

Head stroke on a young hot tip

Left night to accompany.

Raintree Greentree

The Indian raintree with fresh tender leaves
 after the shedding process since winter leaves. 

The raintree got a new coat of green

Grinning at me, like a degree holder

Succeeding the hard times of winter

And shedding leaves to regain a green cap.

 

The sun was shining brightly,

Contrary to the deep blue sky

The raintree lit a smile tenderly

despite being rough in tendency.

 

I want to cut off one of its trunks

For being an obstacle to the touching breeze

And views of my neighbor's rebuilt garden,

its different shades of green garnishes.

 

With few brush-like blossoms

And hanging down of dry pods

Makeup the tree, to shimmer,

Like a new bride of summertime.

P.S. Guys did you notice? I changed the template of my blog, but it wasn't quite a change, as I just retained the size and design of the blog content and sidebar; I chose the travel theme as background with simply an open book to the left side. I also changed the header after a long time with an image I capture from the pretty White Town (French colony) in Puducherry.

An Island Temple on Palar river, in ECR

Following Kadalur check-Dam (click for the previous post), we visited a little island temple on the other bank of the Palar river. If the left before crossing the Palar river on ECR led to the dam, the right after crossing the river directs you to the temple that rested on a rocky mound at about 150 feet inside the river. The temple is connected by a small bridge that covers the distance between the bank and temple.

The temple called by the name Shri Kailasanathar Kovil has Lord Shiva is a prime deity and is worshipped in the name of Kailasanathar. The inscription at the temple says it was built during Pallava King, Nirupathungan, in the 8th century, and the temple was completely a renovated structure of its original. And the temple is located at a place called Vasavasamudram, about 80km from Chennai on ECR.

The time we visited the temple was closed. Actually, we had no idea about its timing or intended to visit the temple until I checked the dam, and I thought of only taking a look at the place, as we went close to the same. I came to know about the island temple through a vlog by My Sutrula, and I really liked the environment and flow of water around it trigger me to visit.

It was a quiet afternoon, and we drove there after having lunch under the shadows of trees, surrounded by paddy fields and coconut trees. I could easily smell the fragrance of fresh paddy grains every time the wind blows on, sending a nostalgic feel to my senses. The temple beautifully stays in the water on almost four sides, and the road to the temple is narrow through paddy fields and village streets.

While I stayed with the car, others went down to check the temple complex; though the temple’s main gate and the sanctum are closed, people are allowed through a side gate to circumambulate the temple. The images on the temple and river were shot by mom, as I didn’t take my wheelchair, I couldn’t get close, or drove on the little bridge across the water. I really enjoy the view and sound of birds and running water off the paddy fields; it’s a wonderful place to enjoy peace.

Sync with Squirrels

Saturdays and squirrels always sync with me and I have mentioned it a few times in this blog itself and this unity works out from childhood to till date when I spot a couple of little squirrels chasing one another like kids try to defeat either in a running race or like players running endlessly on the ancient walls in Temple Run, on the extended arm of the rain tree, the guys hurried down to disappear in seconds. They look perhaps siblings who chase another for silly things as kids do and there’s no wonder as they are younger to be in a playful mood.

I have always seen the little squirrels running around the Rain and Indian tulip tree opposite our house but not sure which one of the two. Another day I saw a little one eating the pods of the tulip tree while dangling on the edge of branches.  Squirrels are everywhere and only we have to look out if want something fun with nature and squirrels is great entertainers and I enjoyed them more when I was close to the ground before moved to the first floor of our house.  The houses we moved in the past had squirrels wander through the yards and I’m enthused to shoot squirrels in my camera and I have also seen the worst of a black cat killing a Lil squirrel while I was capturing it.

The Indian palm squirrel you see in photos was way a few weeks back and was nibbling on the leftover rice on the wall beneath the tulip tree. The squirrel was quite alert while eating the leftover making quick trips up and down the tree when it feels fear and I got these cute close-up shots from the maximum zoom of my Canon point and shoot cam. Hope you like the little acts of the squirrel. Have a nice weekend. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Sunday Afternoon

In the silence of the afternoon

a squirrel screeched from the bushes

neither signaling its mate nor scared of prey

went silent later, as if it ended either way.

Rolling of the brass cuboid dice

the metal sounds from another side

slide me down the memory lane, like fall colors

memories of a cheerful period fall back.

A flock of birds in the background babble

indicates the return of the yellow-billed babblers

the crazy noisy guys, who always hangout to ground

kept me from joining, as I lifted to the first floor.

A sound of the saw at a distance

came distracting me as rooster began its crow

the day reached its edge and a sip of tea

lighter the evening, as the sun, drops its glow.

A Weather, Reminder of Mountains

The weather has been pleasant and cools these days (in Chennai) and it wasn’t raining either but still, the clouds, continue to seize the sky, kept low the temperature that lures me to dream of mountains. Though not exactly, I feel a mild cold in the air to embrace me and my mind cling to the memories of the same feel. It’s been more than a year I visited mountains or stayed overnight other than the home esp. this cool weather is impossible to restrain the thoughts of Smokey Haven or what I call a bird paradise – Thandikudi – nestled in the lower Palani hills of Kodaikanal. It was a place that wasn’t too cold as Kodai or hot as plains but comfortable weather to stay all day out exploring the locality of coffee and pepper plantations and listening to birds in woods.

 

Glad my uncle built his wood houses there, so it was always a hassle-free and home-like stay for us and it would be fun if two more families of my uncles join the stay. I too used to the comfort of the woodhouse or to say my uncle had built the house easily accessible by the wheelchair so that I could visit it anytime without difficulty. He knows how I enjoy staying into nature or travel to hills and the woodhouse was first executed for personal use before the idea of renting happen. The weather is one pleasing thing about this place and no matter what the season was, it never drops out of comfort and the weather in Chennai right away is something that makes the mind think about. Perhaps due to Aadi (the season with high wind blow, falls between July-August) is believed to bring a successful year of rain and these cloudy moments brings hope as the southwest monsoon had smashed this year.
 

I leave you with some nature and cool images for the glimpses of the locality from different times of the visit. I love being there any time of the season and it has something to please or offer with the arrival of differences in nature like the migration of birds, flowering environment and wind.  

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia

RGB Monday

Here is a kind of line houses in Valparai, what is just a piece of what was washed off in the recent landslides and flash flood in the high mountain ranges of Munnar; killing nearly 50 people belong to the families of tea labourers. The southwest monsoon is smashing around the Western Ghats Mountains of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and many a places are flooded and Munnar, a beautiful hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala is one of the top producers of tea and many a labours work here are from the plains of Tamil Nadu.

The landslide turned into a major disaster, where rescue operations are still underway as people are being dug out of the mud. The disaster location being close to the Anamudi, the highest peak of south India and the popular tourist spot (Eravikulam National Park) for Thar goat sighting, exposed to cold winds and rain to extend the rescue operation. Valparai is nothing less to Munnar, and these two places are bordered by a valley that separates the two states. And their living conditions were also similar and the workers were all settlers from the plains to work in the tea plantations. It’s the workers of Rajamalai tea estate went to grave before buried really. While the covid eradicating away the lives in plenty, the plane crash and landslides were doing their better half. Nature has its own plans and no one can predict its move and we could only mourn for those died.  

Birds in Neighbourhood - Myna

 

The bird is often or to say daily found around the house esp. after the lockdown they frequent the trees in the neighbourhood. As they mostly perch on tree tops or go behind the branches I could only listen to their sounds than shoot with camera. Here is couple of shots on Myna from the past.

Myna is a commonly visible bird anywhere in India and perhaps so it is called as common Myna or Indian Myna.  The bird found from Middle East to Southeast Asia is readily identified by the brown body, black hooded head and the bare yellow patch behind the eye with bright yellow bill and legs.

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Another Rainbow Evening and Altocumulus

Last Sunday happened to be another rainbow evening and second in the month of July. The former one is here, if u want to see. I was happy to see the favourite thing appear over the sky again, exactly close to the same location, direction and angle. Though it was mild this time, the blue sky and clouds on the backdrop steer the sky to look prettier. Following that we got a sort of pleasant weather for few days caused from mild to heavy rain, and some time the sky looks cloudy and altocumulus spread wings over the blue sky. The sky comes up in pretty pattern these days and the altocumulus show up in day times settle for mild showering or supposed to rain scenario. But not to forget, the menacing mosquitoes had doubled its troops and began attacking from evening through night. 

Altocumulus clouds from the morning of the same rainbow evening.

Above is the rain scene (snapped through the balcony) from two days back and it was a heavy showing for nearly an hour and it continued for few more hours pulling back slowly in pace to rest.

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Fence across the street

Here are some random shots on the fence, flowers and pots on the house with a garden across the street. I face the garden/house daily that partially blocked by the roadside trees of Indian tulip and rain tree. Our street always looks greenish by the thriving trees planted by NGOs and residents of the street on different times. The houses opposite to us have plenty of spaces around their house and have many trees already and those were the only sight holds me outside the home in these days of lockdown.

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia

Healing Earth and Me

Pandemic is what all about and all roads lead to same for more than last three months and we still have any idea where and when it all going to end though we know for sure it will and should be end at an end. Everyone should have gone through different experiences during this period of pandemic and lockdown and this goes like a real life drama without any rehearsals and it has affected us in no way one could imagined. But one great comforting thing the pandemic made was refining nature and environment.  Today being Sunday and final day of total lockdown the carbon monoxide level in the air in Chennai has went  down to the level of 8 what usually used to be 60+, which marks moderate air quality, makes apparent how significant the changes are. But this doesn’t going to sustain for sure when the relaxed lockdown come into force from tomorrow, however getting life back to normal is quite important while keeping the environment clean.

The lockdown really made feel secured a lot during these pandemic days as we’re uncertain who carries the virus, staying home we feel safe.   I didn’t find the lockdown a greatly difficult as my life is almost made into home  but as a travel enthuse its quite different and I live all these days with my travel memories and watching travel/food vlogs on YouTube. Nature and environment is clean making me so happy and I’m enjoying more bird sounds these days than vrooming bikes and cars. I think if not pandemic the earth wouldn’t get a chance to cleans the manmade dirt though it isn’t a happier way to support or got this done from peoples suffering and deaths. Nature is rich and it has the power to recycle and we’re same as any other living on the earth. Animals traces their roots and corridors while we shut our roads and leave no foot prints inside their landscapes, it still make  worry to hear even the predators (us) are lockdown in home, more than a dozen elephants died (including the one shot by farmers) for unreasoning in Tamil Nadu in last few weeks.

I could say the last few weeks were the worst days for me during this lockdown period and I think you people know and if not, I went through a long-time fever ever in my life and I quite terrified as you know we go through pandemic I’m uncertain and anxious what these symptoms lead to. Glad it was only a urinary tract infection and the injections worked really well and I’m out of it. But before it got over I had a severe sprain at my ankle and I am still going through the pain and swelling and if it continues few more days, I had to take an x-ray to see what really happened. My physiotherapist said nothing to worry but I go through doubts. I hope you guys continue on the safe path and stay safe at home. Wish the pandemic is over or reduced sooner to become not a life thereat. 

Summer Sky

The weather is beautiful and sunny in Chennai these days despite the hot summer season, the sky is pretty much in blue.  Sometimes it turns pinkish to orange in evenings and later setting off of sun. The sky and trees in the photos were shot in the afternoon, when the summer sea breeze takes off usually to shoo the hot wind and birds on their tunes.

The mango tree in rusty and green leaves is from the neighbour’s house opposite to us and amazingly the tree has shown up with a single mango this season unlike a lot last year. The tree was pruned at large last November and perhaps that could be the reason for the tree to unable to bear fruits this year except that single mango.

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Some Thoughts and Pre Relaxations

Even after 42 days of lockdown, wearing masks, while coming out of home has been a matter in question with many a people. People are requested to wear masks, but not to close their mouth alone! I see some wear masks that are little to close their mouth only and I wonder what an intellect one must be to stitch such a mask that looks like a bandage on an operated mouth. I noticed it is the laity who suffers lot through the lockdown has been at the risk of transmitting the virus through their indifference attitude. The government has relaxed the lockdown a little to help people at a level but i feel it’s too early to do so, and this slack will end up tightening more as there's lot chances to share the virus and I see still people are carefree and wear mask only in fear of cops and not by self-conscious or in preventive manner.

To make matter worse, our state govt. have announced to reopen the liquor shops from May 7^th, following many other states that have already reopened the liquor shops and people started to throng there indifferently forgetting the situation we’re and some stood in queues that extends up to nearly a km. This is really a disappointment to see. People complain about standing in queue to buy groceries or reliefs but none bothers standing this long for alcohol! This lockdown proved that people could manage without drinking alcohol except few cases of self-destruction; there isn’t a great impact and actually people started to practice to a liquor free lifestyle and we should have maintained this structure rather get them back to the habit. There couldn’t be a better chance like this to keep them away from liquor but the govt.’s focus is only on its core income, which comes from the liquor sale, than the people’s welfare.

I wonder what kind of development is this to get money from the public, by selling liquor, what harms their immune, to spend back on their welfare. Wasn’t this sounds like wounding someone deliberately and later put medicine on the wound? I know the illegal liquor has raised heads as soon the liquor shops are closed but this couldn’t be a threat if there’s right legal actions.  But what worries me more now was, when people couldn’t be mindful on social distancing and wearing mask even at a normal state what kind of behaviours could we expect on intoxication?  

I know there are people, who would blindly follow whatever their favourite leaders or celebrities says (and sometime in different ways like taking street processions when asked to clap hands and light lamps in appreciating the healthcare workers working on Covid 19), so this could be the better time if those stars spoke on television, advising their fans and devotees to stay home or wear mask.  Lately I saw a video of a top actor’s birthday, celebrated by his fans group against the law of lockdown, and these crazy guys never seems to care about pandemic. I think, at least, if the actors with great fan followers could help these times, by appearing in media to advocate those blindfolds, just to see how well it works. Now we need more conscious on quarantine and any source of aid is resourceful this time.

Stay home Stay safe