Sahyadrica

Been two months since I updated this space. I solely blame it on the pre-occupation to some prior commitments. Excursion to Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Gokarn from 1st November to 6th November 2008. Dandeli panorama from Kawala Caves with Kali River in view Introduction The visit to Dandeli WLS was proved fruitful in all ways – thanks to our tour operator. The time of the year was excellent and so was my luck with the fauna around. Although I am a layman when it comes to flora, it was in a bloom everywhere. To expect the unexpected, a sloth bear and a wild elephant was on my wish-list, but no dreams came true. None the less, I saw some large and very small varieties of other life forms that one ought to glance upon down under! Dandeli WLS, especially the area around Kulgi Nature Camp is a haven for any birder, or rather any nature enthusiast. Its not just birds you look out for at Dandeli if you’re in for larger predators – you ought to look o...

Monsoon Trails as of 5th October 2008 Hesperiidae 1. Grass Demon 2. Rice Swift 3. Indian Palm Bob 4. Chestnut Bob 5. Brown Awl 6. Common Banded Awl 7. Vindhyan Bob 8. Malabar Spotted Flat 9. Tri color pied flat 10. Golden Angle 11. Common Small Flat 12. Common Spotted Flat 13. Tamil Grass Dart 14. Indian Skipper 15. Dark Palm Dart 16. Unidentified Swift –Small Branded Swift (?) 17. Spotted Small Flat 18. Common Redeye Odonata 1. Black Marsh Trotter 2. Black Stream Glider 3. Blue Tailed Green Darner 4. Wandering Glider 5. Crimson Marsh Glider 6. Crimson Tailed Marsh Hawk 7. Common Club tail 8. Ditch Jewel – male and female 9. Green Marsh Hawk/ Slender Skimmer – single and mating pair 10. Granite Ghost 11. Ground Skimmer – male and female 12. Yellow Tailed Ashy Skimmer 13. Unidentified Dragonfly - Yeoor 14. Rusty Darner 15. Ruddy Marsh Skimmer – male and female 16. 2 Unidentified Dragonflies - Yeoor 31st August 17. Asiatic Bloodtail - female 18. ...

With the beginning of September, the Monsoon is set to leave with heavy thundering and dangerous lightning. With animals dying of post-monsoon storms, its not just death, but a whole new life that it brings with it. The seeds sown in the pre-monsoon month germinate, mature, and reproduce, we see a lot of mature fauna around along with flowers that find it apt to bloom, for it may be first and the last bloom in their life-time, until the next monsoon that is. And as the flora blooms, the fauna booms. It's about time when the scaly-winged flutterers make it to the sky and come home seeking light! Anyhow, that's pretty distant as of now. Common Fringed-flower Vine - Trichosanthes cucumerina This report, is a series written in parts of the Post-Monsoon month. Some pictures, some information I could gather - included here - will be here, and will be updated on and off. Oriental Sesame - Sesamum orientale Wild Ladies' finger - Abelmoschus manihot With al...