A brief on my travel to Nilgiris

Kodiveri dam-falls, created by carving 20 foot wall of rock in 1125 AD

One week has passed since I came back from my travel to Nilgiris aka Ooty and its surroundings and it was about 2am when we reached home on Sunday (April 9). Begin on 3^rd April morning; we reached Kodiveri waterfalls by evening traveling about 450 km from Chennai via Salem ‘n’ Bhavani. It was very hot day and as we move close to Salem it turned terrific hot. Even the AC car couldn’t keep heat away completely and only thinking that we delayed the drive back home by wandering on hills until 2pm and leisurely dropped via Mettur ‘n’ Krishnagiri. I know the state has been going through historic drought but I still had hope there should be some water flow at Kodiveri falls come dam. And yes, there’s water more than what I expected and that surprise continued to flow throughout my travel.

The interior of our room

Though there were few disappointments when we tried to venture certain areas that I want to explore but the journey doesn’t went that way rather unexpected routes and doors opened for me. We had a comfort stay at the Nilgiris and just outside the Ooty town, called as Funcity, the area has handful of homestays and resorts but still quite calm always. Half a km inside from the Ooty-Coonoor main road, the couple of rooms we booked for 4 days (for 6 people) had beautiful views from the balcony overlooking the Elk Hill and fields of carrot and greenhouses. The interior of the rooms are very neat and spacious enough for 3 per room and well lit by led lamps. The travel wasn’t hurriedly and we moved around leisurely checking couple of places in Ooty and Coonoor apart a long drive to Upper Bhavani.

The view  from our balcony overlooking  Elk Hill

It was a long-time dream for me to check Upper Bhavani Dam. I have been to the backwater area of the Upper Bhavani (in 2011) traveling through the Avalanche forest and it was a great experience and sheer pleasure to venture the wilderness. Then, we had permission to drive up to Upper Bhavani dam but we turned back halfway as my parents hesitated to go deep into the wild forest. But that time visiting the dam doesn’t need permission to go via Kundha, which we tried this time and went up to forest check post and turned back as we denied entering the dam area due to the restriction  since some antisocial intruded the forest. When we tried to check the Pilloor Dam, while driving up to Ooty on the unusual road, we faced the same and the 3 check post we crossed had the photos on antisocial to mark the seriousness as well as warning.

A post shared by Jeevan Kumar (@jeevan.grp) on Apr 10, 2017 at 10:14am PDT

Tea plantations  and  pristine mountains  behind

By this travel I have covered the western side of the Nilgiris to the most but I still want to go there again sometime because the wealth of nature is abundant there and words could not describe the pristine I admire there. So far I haven’t written about the western catchment of Nilgiris and I believe people who are truly interested will seek information on available, alike me. And it is a great natural source of Tamil Nadu which needs to be preserved seriously and the forest officials are doing their best. Our stay at Sathiyamangalam, before heading to Ooty, was very convenient and guest house was spacious and disable friendly where I could come around the beautiful house in my wheelchair. Located on the bank of Bhavani River and canopy of trees create cool ambiance with birds frequent around.

@ Sathiyamangalam guest house

Look forward for more on my travel... decided to make many posts out of it

Off to Blue Mountain

 

The couple of beautiful views were shot from Doddabetta Peak - the 2nd tallest peak of south india, in Ooty, during my previous visit to Nilgiris aka Blue Mountain, which gonna be my terrain for next one week. 

Wild Fence and Flowers

A post shared by Jeevan Kumar (@jeevan.grp) on Mar 19, 2017 at 8:41am PDT

During an evening walk in my wheelchair at the neighbourhood and across the Blue Cross road in Adyar (adjoining Besant nagar) I capture this piece of fence that I find it to be wild. The entire road has been fenced one side that belongs to former Besant school (now The school KFI) and was covered by canopy of trees. Sadly many trees fallen on this road in recent cyclone Vardha, but still the road continues to hold charm by greenery and shadows. I also found some little flowers bloomed pretty in pink covers some area of the fences… and I do think this is some kind of wild flowers thrive on its own. 

A post shared by Jeevan Kumar (@jeevan.grp) on Mar 8, 2017 at 11:28pm PST

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia and Floral Friday Foto 

Exploring Kodai-Kumbakkarai Route, the very first road to Kodaikanal

The Kodai-Kumbakkarai road was completely off at some places (click all photos for enlarge)

I love traveling and traveling on road-less travelled is my favourite. Wherever I go I look for places beyond the regular and I find it more exciting than what has been explored by many. Though many perhaps like taking such travels but don’t give much thought as it keeps them away from the comfort. But I am someone always like adventure and try to venture places that not many chose to travel or ready to lookout for. During my stay at Thandikudi, near Kodaikanal, I explored a route that was less travelled or abandoned since alternate and more comfort roads was developed. Though it was the first road to Kodaikanal many unknown about it.

More than a century old road looks good  at few places toward Adukkam

The road that slides before Perumal Malai on the main road to the Kodaikanal, leads to the mango city Periyakulam via Adukkam village and Kumbakkarai waterfalls at the foothills. From the time I know about this road, a short route to Kodaikanal when going by Periyakulam or Theni, I want to explore it and travel as much possible.  I learned the road up to Adukkam village (half on the mountain) was travelable though the road wasn’t good and worst beyond that, we tied our best and it was possible only because of our Scorpio (SUV). For the most part of the road was unpaved or washed away as it wasn’t relayed after it was originally laid by the British. And the road is narrow which means facing a vehicle would make either take reverse or adjust space for the opposite to pass.

The view of narrow winding road from the Adukkam village towards Kumbakkarai falls, which we didn't take.

The road wasn’t narrow but also potholed for large that any car would get bottom hurt unless it was an SUV or height ground clearance vehicle. The people from one of the vehicles (Hyundai Santro) that was coming up from Periyakulam warned us not to go further or beyond Adukkam as the road was in bad shape but still we managed up to Adukkam and turned back thinking it was our limit. Though few jeep drivers encouraged that we can go all the way to Kumbakkarai, as the villagers have cleared the road lately, we didn’t mind to go beyond and since it was late afternoon we don’t want to take risk and turned away with the view of winding lane down the hills.

The pristine mountains and valleys... you could see a lone house (in white color) at a distance 

Awesome view of mountains and  ridges across the valley

This road beholds views that are pristine and most part of the valley and mountains seem untouched by many. Being an initial and pretty old road to Kodaikanal, which seems to be laid in late 1800s or early 1900s, continue to hold the charm as most part of the route was undamaged by the tourism cottages or buildings. But I got to see few beautiful farm houses and bungalows and a stretch of coffee and orange plantations en route to the Adukkam, from there till the foothill is quite wild forest. Adukkam isn’t a big village and it comes to view few kms before on road resembling a small nest on the laps of mountains.

Here's a view on the Adukkam village nestled in the valley and below is a close up on  the same

The village is surrounded by hill banana plantation

I heard bullock carts were the first vehicles to take this road and we could see the roadside stone barriers and milestones still exists along with good patch of tar road at some places truly exhibits the quality of roads laid then. The day was sunny when we venture this route in early summer, though the weather doesn’t bother much as we continue to stay on mountains I couldn’t take more photos due to sun glares and reflection of windows many went dark images. Interestingly we met an old woman, when we stopped to take photos on the red coffee beans, scold us not to take photos on her coffee plants. She told her plants weren’t flourishing well already and you taking photos may get evil eye! lol 

The red coffee beans, what the old woman said no to capture!

Reforestation

A forest  is recreated near Trichy on the Chennai - Trichy National Highway. The 35 acres of the forest landscape (near MR Pallayam) is supposed to transform into Elephant Rescue centre, the project, first of its kind was initiated by the former government to provide medical care to sick elephants belonging to temples and the individuals. But it was not fully implemented by the following regime.

The objective of creating the centre in the state is to provide complete medical treatment to sick elephants. The funds allotted in the first instalment from the government have been utilized… and the project is waiting for further funds from govt. One traveling between Perambalur and Trichy could come to see the plantation of trees and a damaged structure of an elephant’s statue marking the project.

Today is International Day of Forests, a day that was designated to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations. Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organize local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns, on International Day of Forests. 

RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue.

A small shrine of Ganesh attached to a house in our street on the intersection. People believe that having a Ganesh shrine or idol on an intersection keeps away misfortune. I find this shrine colourful to fit my RGB Monday series and thus the post. 

Lost but alive somewhere

As you know House Sparrows are speedily disappearing from the earth and esp. in cities like Chennai the House sparrows almost lost their little foots. Though the reasons for disappear of sparrows are apparent, but still the continues rise of radiations, and modern architecture and lack of fodder pushing them to the brim. But glad I was able to grow up enjoy watching the little sparrows forage on the balconies and portico and mostly perching on the wires frequent the doorstep and sometimes into the home. I don’t remember when I last saw the House sparrows twittering and leaping off the balcony and attempts to enter our home but sparrows continued to live at our grandparent's home until lately.

It used to wonder when most of the places turn down to sparrows, my grandparent's house (at the neighbourhood) continued to be their abode. Though they shut down their milk business and rearing cows in early 20s, with the help of stalks and hay what the sparrows used to build nests within the barn and the corners of drainage pipes, and used to their noisy twitter's, there stay continued the same way even after things turn difficult is really amazing. I supported my grandmother providing feeder to the sparrows but they are forced to clear their space to build a cosy house for my grandfather. Hope the sparrow stay somewhere at peace.

Relevant to March 20, the World Sparrow day, a day that was designated to raise awareness of the House sparrows whose populations is on threats, I like to share few photos on the House sparrows that we shot at a remote village in Kodaikanal. During my travel to Western Ghats, and mostly to Kodaikanal I see sparrows continue to rattle close to the human habitations. But I was really amused to watch a bunch of House sparrows enjoying close to a spring off the road and through there were many we couldn’t focus on the all and you see a male House sparrow in the images except the last one that has both genders. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Kallar Steel Bridge

During my visit to Ooty in 2014, I come across the steel bridge at Kallar on the foothills of Nilgiri. The Kallar Steel Bridge on the Mettupalayam-Ooty main road was built in 1925 by Jessop and Company, following a wooden bridge that was earlier washed away in 1891 floods. In 1894 a masonry bridge was constructed but in 1925, the steel bridge with a capacity of 10-tonnes was built alongside to accommodate more vehicles. 

The ruined masonry bridge was demolished lately and to give more way to vehicles an addition bridge is come up right beside the steel bridge, but I am not sure will it be attentive like the steel bridge. I loved taking photos on the steel bridge from the moving car and in the morning light the bridge was delight to watch and the Kallar River passes beneath. Having plan for visiting Nilgiri in about a month, i hope to explore  more on Kallar area while staying at Mettupalayam. 

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia 

Yellow carpet

A post shared by Jeevan Kumar (@jeevan.grp) on Mar 5, 2017 at 8:49am PST

Corporation road 

turns yellow carpet, as spring
 started to flourish.

Though its few ten feet 

a pleasure to walk past since

summer isn’t away 

While dry leaves make way

the cheerful yellow blossom 

draw wither season.

Ps. The haiku is an inspiration from the photo i shot during a evening walk (in wheelchair) last week.

Peacock practicing dance steps

During a visit to Thiruvannamalai, popular for the Annamalai temple and hill, couple of year back, we come around the Girivalam Pathai (the road round the hill, where devotees take one full round during the full moon day, alike today) to have our lunch that we brought from home. Parking the car aside the road and shadow of the trees, we find many sadhus lying here and there on the footpaths and benches that rest alongside the road (to help devotees on the walk) and while relaxing after the lunch I get to see few beautiful peacocks and following one I got the pictures below.

It was wonderful to see them wandering freely and crossing the road round the hill which is almost empty except the festival days and they aren’t hurry or intend to hideaway rather move along the people and sadhus lied by. The entire road is quiet enough and almost greenish and could listen to birds chirrup and monkeys leaping around and some sadhus walkabout whom we provide food brought from home. Back home I found the photos shot on the peacock has nice foot movements that almost look alike few steps at dance. Hope u like the photos J

Look at the steps he put front (above 'n' below)

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Gate and Yellow Bells

Last year during the visit to Kumbakonam and while coming from Ariyalur we stopped at a village and I just came close to this yellow flowering shrub grew in front of a house. And the gate came into the image without an intention of shooting it and it gives a neat look to the house and I also liked the design.

The yellow flowers, named as yellow bells aka yellow trumpet bush has become a trend in Tamil Nadu and many people has been planting this shrub esp. in front of the houses. Apart for the ornamental use, people started to grow these mainly for the purpose of Vastu (a traditional belief of bringing harmony into the home and Vastu means dwelling) but I like this plant for its charming and bright yellow blossoms. I really want to have this plant for me and will try to get one soon.

Yellow Bells are a perennial shrub in the trumpet vine family that is native to the Americas and it is heat and drought tolerance, vigor and pest resistance. The yellow flowers are 2” long with trumpet shape and hangs in showy clusters at the branch tips and forks, bending the wigs into arches give the name Yellow Bells. It has a very long flowering season, from early summer to late fall; the shrub reaches 15-20 feet height and attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds for its flowers. 

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia and Floral Friday Foto 

Longing

Night spent on intimate
but still thinking same, out of bed
eyes gaze through the window
looking for her man
who embraced her at night.

Out of gloomy
and in front of the window
the lady bird waits for tonight
fetching her man
who left her half asleep.

A sense of silence in her gaze

a pause of emotion
or desperate unconsoled
despite her desire for him
whom she romanced deeply. 



Ps. The poem is an inspiration out of the image i come across in  facebook @FlorianWeilerPhotography

RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. 

Bottles and lids of soft drinks

The image has been cropped from the picture of a provision shop; I shot at Thiruporur on the outskirt of Chennai.

p.s. It seems the merchants of Tamil Nadu have decided to stop sell foreign soft drinks like Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, and Miranda… from the March 1^st. The decision was taken by the traders association of Tamil Nadu following the pro-jallikattu protest and as a move towards boycotting foreign products. Not only that they keep front the decision to prevent foreign products but argues that soft drinks are unhealthy to consume. Though I agree with the second one that soft drinks aren’t healthy and suggestible to drink, but if they decided to avert the overseas products it should apply to all and not alone on soft drinks which is least per cent. And I really want to ask those protests against foreign products and if they are sure about the decision will they prevent the millions of people working in MNC’s and give up the economic development support by this industry. I see there’s both good and bad in any kind of things and many foreign productions has become lifesavers for many and in the globalised world we can’t quit things completely unless they aren’t good for health or country and enter the policies/rights of nation. How many iPhone fans in India? Is iPhone or apple is Indian origin? Soft drinks are unhealthy and it should be boycott only on this basis. There is an unclear politics behind these and I can’t go inside it without a moderate picture. 

1. Devilish Angel

Cat and Dog Relaxing Together

There’s a thought generally that dogs and cats don’t come or go together and making it approve I haven’t seen them roaming together and at same time not dog chasing a cat. But I don’t want to take what’s happening with house dogs alike our puppy Maya who don’t like cats and not only cats, she also chase other dogs when seeing them. Just having her as example I couldn’t come to a conclusion. But breaking the general thought I come to a scene where one of our stray/street dogs and cat lay side-by-side in front of our house.

I shot the scene right outside my doorstep, with the dog on the left and cat at the opposite relaxing under the Neem tree while facing each other. I’m seeing both of them for some time now and there’s no wonder they decide to take rest together, because both are very patient animals and ever hurt anybody intently. But the dog has bitten a boy lately when he went close to her cubs just to take a ball! I think it is a precaution any animals or birds used to take. And the cat has almost become our house cat as he always lazy around and sleeps mostly on the portico.

Even if we touch he used to keep quiet and unlike the former cat, which we have no idea where it gone, that used to make noise and keep disturbing the Maya. This cat comes only when mom cleans fishes and sits quiet and eats away what has been left. The dog on the right has given birth up to 7 pups lately and all were cute enough and brown in colors. Some were taken by the people to grow and others were still roaming around and a family seem to protect them at next street. I have only few photos on them and will post later… 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Gonna miss you, Achu!

Just a year back Achu’s family shifted to the house behind us (as we reside in row house) and within a couple of months we become familiar and friends later. Though Achu become my best friend, I really wonder how I miss writing or sharing photos (except on Instagram) of him here, but I think we become too close to write something specific about him and he was there even at times unexpected. He’s very special to me in many ways and he’s someone always knock at the door with pristine love and he becomes so attached to me only lately but now he’s supposed to move on L

Achu’s father was transferred to Bangalore and he will be leaving us in a week or some time. For about a year I have been watching him (and now he’s 2 ½ age), he’s been growing though best parenting I could say for sure. He’s very quiet and approach things at easy and patience. I really amaze at his attitude even at this little age, which is indeed comes from his parents who has been friendly and down to earth. He never took anything from others and even as friends he refuses to take anything from us unless showing it to his mom and we never discouraged him on this front.

His parent’s trust us, as well as Achu agree to be carried away only by mom. He developed an attachment very soon with mom and even our puppy Maya become familiar with his sounds and smell; almost maintain silence whenever he enters our home freely.  We even unlock the little gate when Maya is tied so that he don’t find difficult in opening and  he is fearless coming close to Maya and she’s also forceless. Achu is a great observer and watches things patiently and try to apply it through his innocent pace. Even my relative’s kids who has the rights to call me mama (uncle) doesn’t calling or visiting me but each time he utter the word,  with sheer innocent, I quite feel connected and content. I actually feel Achu’s approach fills the crave for a kid at home and we treat him as our own kid and he keeps calling mom (as grandma) and take her to his house and ask to sit-down.

The entire scene used to be sweet and his parents watch his attitude with admiration, and if my wheelchair ramp is laid at the doorstep he call me to come down to play with him. He likes seeing me coming up/down the ramp (and he calls this swwing, the sound of sliding) and then he used to bring his cycle and try the same. He note how I put into the wheelchair and how footrest and board is placed and try to do same. He likes bison (Indian guar) which he had seen during his trip to Valparai and he wants me to show bison on laptop and leaning on me he keeps asking for other animals and birds. The way he takes rights on me truly make me feel happy and thinking now, that he will be away soon I would really miss him, as well as my family.

On  his  little bike

His innocent giggle, smile and cry for silly things make me watch light-hearted. And something very sweet about his cry was he sound like a newly born.  Absolutely he’s a gifted child and I am really glad to share his giftedness though their stay as next door resident. Like I said above, Achu’s parents are very friendly and used to share their happiness and grief with us and only because of their pressure (to the landlords) a ramp was built in front of the house to prevent water entering the house. It was an unexpected move even for them and they too feel unhappy for gonna be parted. I know nothing is stable in this world; and this move too will have something better for both. Let’s hope. 

Achu's  sketching around mom's kolam

Trial Period

Our puppy Maya wasn’t well for last two weeks and was going through heat (oestrus cycle) and kept bleeding. It’s a normal thing for any female dog to experience it twice a year, but Maya was not supposed to have it since her uterus was removed in 2014. But even after the surgery she had bleeding sometime and when inquired the vet, he said it’s perhaps due to production of ovum she continue to have the heat. So it didn’t matter us then and it doesn’t last than a week. But now it wasn’t the same and she continue to bleed for more than 15 days and it wasn’t red in color, but turns brown, yellow and white lately. Without delay we showed her to the vet and he gave antibiotic and tablets to stop bleeding but it didn’t help much and even injections couldn’t obey. He was sure it was infection since all other symptoms shows her normal… and she was active as well.

Picture was shot during my travel to Cloud mountain

But since we aren’t content with his treatment we showed her to another vet and on his advice, scan was taken on Thursday and it revealed that the uterus wasn’t completely removed and some parts continue to stay within her and that’s giving trouble now. She got sever infection now and pus has formed and that’s what continue to exit. Glad the infection doesn’t spread to the kidney but still we need to wait and see any improvement on her stage before going for blood test. The doctor has suggested that removing the remaining parts of the uterus could be the only solution for her to remain healthy and peace. Maya is 9 years old now and going for another surgery doesn’t sound bad though there isn’t an option if she wants to be stay happy.

The situation wasn’t bad for her alone but also for us, who has to go through the odour and making certain things are clean around all the time.  Mom has to keep checking her and clean the places she moves, even though we placed cloth at where she lies. It was indeed difficult time for us and was it coincides or not, I was glad for the decision of purchasing an air purifier last month keeping our puppy in mind. The Philips air purifier doing an amazing job right now (not because it was purchased from amazon) and with advanced HEPA (Nano) and carbon filters we experience odourless sleep during the night and breathe healthy air. I could obviously see and feel the differences before and after air purifier and I think now, I should have gone for this earlier. But it’s better late than never. Hope things will be normal soon and Maya stays healthy and happy along with us. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Experience Wind

Image courtesy here

Wind blows
unfolding my memories
stored in the mind folders.
A great enthusiasm
unexplainable spirit
exists, when wind blows
though open doors n windows.

Summer breeze
in late winter isn’t surprising
but vacation mood uplifts along.
A sense of cheerfulness
days of boyhood
the lonesome afternoons
make feel tickle through air.

Smiles for no reason
refreshing springs within
every time wind blows through.
An inspiring feel of any indication
a sweet essence
breathes through the skin
without adding sugar. 

Cholavaram Tank

About 24km north of Chennai, Cholavaram Tank is one of the largest lakes around the city (following Puzhal, Sembarambakkam and Poondi) and the water from the rain-fed reservoir is drawn for the city supply, through canals to Puzhal Lake.

During 2015 historical rain and flood, the Lake reached the maximum capacity of 595 (mcft) out of 881 (mcft) and on 1^st December 2015, the lake had an inflow of 423 (cusecs) and an outflow of 400 (cusecs). But now, due to failure of Northeast Monsoon, the level of water has went nearly down and its bed has almost turned playground, as you could see from the photos above (and below) – some youngsters are playing cricket on the grasses.

Apart lake, Cholavaram is primarily known for motor racing and racing events were conducted here from early 1960s to the late 1980s, before the Madras Motor Sports Club built a new track at Irungattukottai, near Sriperumbadur, Chennai. The race track near Cholavaram Lake was used to be an air strip during World War II and being a T shaped track it was modified to conduct racing on certain conditions. But having no idea where the race track was, I couldn’t check the place when visiting the lake on my way to Nagalapuram.

Buffaloes grazing on dry bed of the tank/lake

I actually decided to climb on the lake bank road from the south and get down at other end in north, but I missed the road that comes next to the Nallur toll plaza on NH 16, and could only check the lake from the other end where the surplus weir exit. A red soil road comes around the lake partially and only bikes and cars can travel from one end to another. As per agreement with Andhra Pradesh Govt. the Krishna water release from Kandaleru reservoir, is stored in Cholavaram Lake as well as Poondi reservoir for drinking purpose. 

Someone had got the car into the lake... but we had no time to experience such

RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. 

Bottle lids

The red belongs to the bottle of mountain honey brought from Kodaikanal and green is my herbal drink (Able to)’s lid and the immune supporter is consumed for long time now. The blue is obviously the Tupperware drinking water bottle. 

1. Devilish Angel

One fence, two different birds

During an outing last year, on ECR and near Kovalam, I come across these tiny birds skipping here and there on the fence of a farm house. If you remember the Gloriosa Lily, the state flower of TN, I shot along with a fence? It was on the other side of the farm house I found these birds. The little birds have been very active then and I had to click number of shots to get these few shots on the birds. I actually thought, before observing the photos in detail, the birds (in photos below) belong to same species of birds. Though having a shade of yellow, the first two are Purple Rumped Sunbirds (male ‘n’ female) and the last one is a Common Tailorbird.

Purple-rumped sunbird 'male'

The purple-rumped sunbird is an endemic to the Indian subcontinent and like other sunbirds; they are small in size and feed mainly on nectar but sometimes take insects, particularly when feeding young. The males are brightly colored, whereas females are olive above and yellow to buff below. Males are distinguished easily from the purple sunbird by the light colored underside while females can be told apart by their whitish throats.

Purple-rumped sunbird 'female'

Both the genders of the sunbirds are tiny at less than 10 cm long, and have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues adapted for nectar feeding. Actually I was bit confused with the female Purple-rumped sunbird, which looked alike Little spider-hunter, but I was only sure after studying the detail.

Below one is known as Common tailorbird. I only remember the name of the bird from the school text book and haven’t seen alive before, perhaps due to its tiny shape (size from 10 to 14 cm and weigh 6 to 10 grams) I couldn’t observe or captured well.

The common tailorbird is a songbird found across tropical Asia and it’s popular for its nest made of leaves sewn together. Although shy birds they are (a common resident in urban gardens) usually hide within vegetation and their loud calls are familiar and give away their presence. This passerine bird is distinctive in having a long upright tail, greenish upper body plumage and rust coloured forehead. 

Linking this post for SATURDAY CRITTERS and Good Fences by Gosia at Looking for identity  

காதல் / Love

காற்றை நேசி 
தூய்மை வாயிலாக, காதலை சுவாசி. 

மரத்தை நடு 
அதன் நிழலில், காதல் இளைப்பாறு.

உழுதிடு 
காதல் விதைகளை உதித்திடு

களை எடு 
காதல் கொண்டு, வெறுப்பு கோபம் இதரவற்றை.

கற்றிடு 
காதல் காமம் வேறுபாட்டை

துடைத்திடு 
காதல் ஊற்றி, நோயுற்ற சமூகத்தை. 

மகிழ்ந்திடு 
இனிதே, காதலுற்ற உறவுகளை எண்ணி.

Love the wind
through purity, breath love.

Plant a tree
in its shadow, love repose.

Plough
raising seeds of love.

Pick weeds
with love, hatred, anger ‘n’ others.

Learn
love, lust distinction.

Scrub
by pouring love on diseased society.

Have fun

greeter, counting love ties.

RGB Monday

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue.

Pretty colorful Merry go around at Elliot's Beach, Chennai

p.s. Beaches are my favourite pastime perhaps since we live close to sea and Elliot’s beach has many memories to share, and in our earlier days we visit the beach to enjoy the playground equipment’s like siding, seesaw, swings… installed at the beach sand. Elliot’s hasn’t been crowded then and only a part of beach was used much then, and the manually operated equipment’s like merry go around, ferry wheels aren’t available and also any kind of shops exists except the popular eatery Cozee, which is opp. to police booth. My late uncle is a friend of the owner, who’s a Singh (and he has also acted as Rajini’s friend in Basha) and he would take us there and get ice creams from the shop. Every time I pass the Cozee, the moment spent with my uncle at one of the tables there blink at my mind for few seconds. 

Backyard Babblers

YellowBilled Babblers are a frequent visitor of our backyard in the morning and evening and the birds arrive as a group of 5 or 6 squeak like squirrels or mouse until they keep away. I remember following or seeing these birds from our days in apartment, with open vegetation in front of our home, the birds forage frequently on ground and trees. Lately, I see one of the babblers, a common resident breeding bird in Sri Lanka and southern India; keep hitting the mirror of a neighbour’s window and sometime the rear mirror of dad’s bike, perhaps seeing its own reflection thinking it to be some other.

Not only babbler, I have seen bulbul behaving similarly and hope many other birds follow the same. The babblers here were shot during noon sunlight in late August and they were digging on the corners of the compound wall for forage. This species, like most babblers, is not migratory and has short rounded wings and a weak flight and is usually seen calling and foraging in groups. 

Hai dude what's up? (below)

nothing to say ya, let me find

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

OPS, Out of the Blue

Unexpected has become the state of Tamil Nadu now, from the unexpected illness of former chief minister Jayalalitha and her sudden demise, and the grand revolution of youth andenforcement of violence and law on jallikattu, Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam’s (OPS) resignation and his open speech (last night) at the Marina beach, following his silent prayer at the memorial of Jayalalitha has kept the state furore. The almost people of Tamil Nadu is already in dispute once Sasikala, the close aide of Jayalalitha, sworn as general secretary of AIADMK and when she was selected as ADMK’s assembly president (which will let her to become CM) has intensified the against feeling. At this situation, O.Panneerselvam’s sudden visit to J’s memorial and his silent prayer for about 40 minutes and claiming that he was forced to resign the office of the chief minister has provoked the public and all social media started to flood with support for the OPS.

It’s obvious who should be behind the scene and of course, it’s the Sasikala and team. Except being a close aide of Jayalalitha, she had nothing to do with public and political scenario, but her takeover of Jaya’s house and now office is approved by none including millions in their own part, AIADMK. It’s the upper level leaders and ministers of certain groups, who celebrate her for their need and deed, lead her to these posts which she deserves not. Nowhere in their long run of friendship had Jaya indicated her to take leadership after her or gave a little post in the party and in between she was expelled from the house by Jayalalitha after she come to know Sasikala’s family had misused in name of her. Things’ being like that how the party men go behind her and propose for the post of general secretary and now CM is shameful. While there are many true party men and seniors with experience at the 45 years party, selecting an inexperienced and corrupted to lead the Tamil Nadu will absolutely won’t be fair.

More than an assistant of Jayalalitha, she hadn’t put front on anything or focused anywhere. But all of sudden she emerged as Chinnamma (small mother) and speakers of the party started to praise her for reasonless.  Perhaps this inspired her to take bold step and before all, her family was back once Jaya breathed last, and thus forced OPS (who have been appointed as CM for couple of times by Jayalalitha during the difficult situation) to resign by giving pressure via his colleagues. If this was the scene even before she took oath as CM, we couldn’t imagine what kind of attitude the govt. would hold and the state of public if she became CM. There couldn’t be a limit for the unruly things and what has been achieved through the one man army, by Miss Jayalalitha, would be collapsed due to ineffective ruling.

The Jaya’s demise continues to be a mystery even though the doctors reveal certain details, OPS has said to form a commission to enquire about her death. After the OPS opened up, the overnight meeting held by Sasikala with all MLA’s had removed him from the post of party treasurer, but he has said to take oath as CM, again, if people of Tamil Nadu wishes. After the midday meeting held at the presence of Sasikala, once again, the 131 MLA’s (who supported Sasikala for CM) has been hijacked in buses to safest places or on tourism to keep them away or meeting OPS to lean their support. Things has been going on its own, and don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow where they are meeting the governor and request to form a govt. headed by Sasikala. But the overall support of Tamil Nadu is for OPS, including myself who admire his simplicity and down-to-earth attitude. Let’s hope for the best. Support OPS!