Black-crowned night heron at Madiwala lake

-
Illustration of a Black-crowned night heron at Madiwala lake


Madiwala lake at sunset - joggers, lovers, book readers, dog-walkers stop what they are doing for a minute to watch the glorious sky. I am squatting near the lake, watching a meditative Black-crowned night heron, hunched over, peering into the water. He is very languid in his movements, waiting for the fish to come close enough to grab and eat. Under the concrete parapet built over the lake, there are holes. Three snakes jut out their heads as the water forms gentle ripples around them. They are very small - I think they must be babies. Perhaps there is a snake's nest in the space around the built structure and the water and mud under it.

The Black crowned night heron has a distinct black crown and back. I have read that they seem mostly lethargic during the daytime, and become active at early dawn and dusk, when it's time to hunt.  They mostly forage in the night. So, I guess this one was just awakening from his stupor - and getting ready for a lovely evening of feasting.

Read more bird- related posts -

White Breasted Water Hen in Belgaum
Birds in Belgaum
A love letter to the flame of the forest


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brihadisvara temple at Thanjavur

-
Image
Brihadisvara temple illustration, Thanjavur ( UNESCO World heritage site) In the Kaveri river valley, a powerful kingdom arose, known far and wide for its military prowess, feats of architecture, patronage to art, music and dance.  They spread out into Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Lakshadweep and even far out Bali and Sumatra across the Indian ocean. Their most illustrious emperor - Raja Raja Chola the great. The Cholas owed their glory to the gods and in honor of this, built several fantastic temples all over South India. The most magnificent of them all is in their former capital, Thanjavur - The Brihadeeswara temple, dedicated to Shiva.  Its massive gopuram is the cynosure of all eyes, visible from miles ahead.It is built entirely from granite and is well restored, thanks to a very good job of conservation by the ASI. It is still a place of worship, perhaps that is the reason it managed to survive intact.   The most popular icon in India...
Read more

Pandharpur

-
Image
On a recent trip to Maharashtra, I saw this kaka and kaki at the Pune Railway station. They must have been on their way to Pandharpur. I have seen devotees making their way to Pandharpur in hordes singing beautiful abhangs, taking their entire family with them. The Varkaris generally make this annual pilgrimage by foot.   Elders and little children walk too, and there is scarcely a break in the singing and music. There is something divine, whether you are a believer of god or not, in voices raised to a common tune, in exaltation of something outside the self. I would like to go with them once. In the month of Ashadh Ekadashi, trains in Maharashtra are filled with pilgrims on their way to Pandharpur. Maybe I will join them. Who knows, I may meet this old couple I saw at the Pune railway station.
Read more

Forgotten city of Ela - Revisiting Old Goa - the Se Cathedral

-
Image
Se Cathedral illustration ( Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina  ) , Velha Goa ( Old Goa)  I had listened in to this lovely talk by Tahir Noronha about Old Goa, tracing its history, from the ancient city of Govapuri, which then ceded its glory to another port that developed on the north bank of the Mandovi river - Ela. (You could listen to this on the facebook page - Soul.travelling  - Forgotten City of Ela by Tahir Noronha, Tahir is an architect working with Charles Correa Foundation ) Ela was the first settlement on the site that has now grown into what we know of as 'Goa'. Ruled by local chieftains, the places were not unified. It was not until the Portuguese added bits of these territories to their 'empire' ( Estado da India) that the present Goa came into being. Ela was known to the outside world, much before the rest of India. Owing to the trade coming in from the sea with the Arabs and the Chinese, it was  a highly coveted city - facing attacks from ...
Read more

Society for Children's book Writers & Illustrators, India