Am leaving you with some Images of Endemic ( Native ) trees I happened to capture during the Bird Festival held in the Chambal Sanctuary, Bah, Uttar Pradesh.
The Path through the Ravines of the Chambal
Ficus is a large Genus of Trees and Aerial roots are a feature unique to the Genus.
Red Berries and Aerial roots
The Peepul or Bodhitree under which Lord Buddha gained Enlightenment.
Here the Indian Honey Bees have found a wonderful home up in the midst of Tree Tops.
A Bee Hive
A Buzzard gazes at all that passes by in his domain as he is perched on the Top of a “Desi Babool” tree.
Be Enchanted with the images and I will return with more interesting facts on the Flora.
Two earlier posts SPELLBOUND and BALLS OF SUGAR reveal the location and will thus not dwell on the same.
The Grey Pelican ( English), Pelecanus philippensis ( Scientific name) is a major competitor to Fisherman and I can imagine they would not be entirely pleased to find it anyone close to their domain.
This Island in the midst of the Yamuna was entirely inhabited by Cormorants and four Pelicans.
Bird Island
Swimming in solitary splendour soaking in the breathtaking Landscape in the background as a thick Fog descends on the banks of the River Yamuna in December.
The Enchanting Grey Pelican is unique to the Indian Subcontinent and parts of South East Asia.
The Motorcylcle and Mustard Field as backdrop
The Grey Pelican is unfortunately a Near Threatened Species and is usually seen in Solitude or small groups.
Swimming Ashore
I have learnt the Grey PELICAN is also called the Spot Billed Pelican, however I have no picture in which I can clearly discern the spots. I thus wonder if if I have identified the species correctly.
Yet I am happy to share the splendour of nature with all the readers across the world.
The location is the temple village of Bateshwar, Bah, District Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India as mentioned in the previous blog titled Balls of Sugar.
The River is the Yamuna which flows within a mere 5 kms of the River Chambal at this point which in turn is now home to the Endangered Gharials.
I was spellbound by the beauty of the Landscape and had the pleasure of watching an Indian Cormorant skim over the River as it competed for Fish with the Fishermen.
Cormorant in Flight
Mustard Fields in bloom, Silhouettes of Large trees , a foggy Winter morning and a Cormorant in Flight kept me Spellbound.
Spellbinding Landscape and the Cormorant
The Sun filters through the Fog and the Flying Cormorant has a Pelican for company and a new competitor for Fish as well.
In the Company of a Pelican
The pictures say it all, need I say am Enchanted ?
A few kilometeres from the Enchanting Riverine Sanctuary of the Cursed River Chambal flows the River Yamuna. In sharp contrast this River is revered and thus the temple village of over 108 temples, Bateshwar ( 60 kms from the city of the Taj , Agra) ,Uttar Pradesh lies on the banks of the Yamuna.
Mountains of White Sugar Balls can be seen decorating all the shops that lead to the Temples which dot the region in large numbers.
These act as Magnets for many a Winged Species, have a look .
The White Sugar Mountain attracts all
The Indian Honey Bee ( English), MadhuMakhi( Hindi), Apis cerana indica (Scientific name) finds nectar in these White Sugar Balls or Ram Ladoos which double up as offerings in Hindu temples.
All in Brown
Another species with a striped Abdomen but as engrossed as it’s cousin above donned in Brown.Both belong to the Genus Apis.
Yellow Stripes is fully Immersed in Sugar balls
The Wasp ( English), Tattaya ( Hindi) , Ropalidia marginata(Scientific name)is no close cousin to the Indian Honey Bee but finds common cause in these Balls of Sugar.
Yellow Jacket
We were are all engrossed, Winged Insects, Bees & Wasps in the Balls of Sugar and the cameraman with them.
The mere mention of the Ravines of Chambal would send a shiver down the spine of those acquainted with the terrain and the infamous reputation that goes along with it.
Have mentioned the CURSED CHAMBAL RIVER, in previous posts and would request the readers to check them to familiarize themselves with the region.
During the BIRD FESTIVAL ( do read previous posts, the titles of which are a bit fuzzy) held in the CHAMBAL Riverine Sanctuary in December 2016 we did spot many abodes or burrows of Dacoits who once Ruled this Area.
Have a look at the Chambal Terrain in the picture below.It was very foggy and misty and the picture reflects that to some extent.
The Mud Ravines of Chambal
While we were being shown the abode of an Infamous Dacoit in the Muddy Ravines, we saw the abode of a feathered friend as well, a Solitary Spotted Owlet ( English), Ullu ( Hindi), Athene brahma ( Scientific name).
Can you spot the Owlet at the doorway of his Home of Earth ?
Doorway to the “Cave Home” of an Infamous Dacoit
It has been over a month since I penned my last Post or Blog and am delighted to be Home and at the Desk once again. feel rusted though and the words do not flow so easily, forgive me please.
The Dacoits have long gone, and now buried in the pages of history, but my alert feathered friend carefully checks out all visitors to his EARTH HOME.
A Lucky View
Naturally I was riveted by the Owlet and forgot all about the Dacoits .
Enchanted Forests 