how to prevent sore-throat

Throat itch is usually the first sign of sore-throat aka throat-infection. If no care is taken the itch can become severe and transform to burning sensation. Severe sore-throat can be painful and leads to cold, cough and fever. As the saying goes- prevention is better than cure -its easier to tackle a problem in its initial stages. Chewing granular-salt helps relieve the itch but its not advisable since the salt eventually is swallowed. The better way is to gargle with salt-water and spit it out. Gargling with warm salt-water is something doctors advise patients to reduce inflammation. Couple of gargles at a time relieves the itch significantly. After gargling, you must a layer of salt in your mouth and throat. Salt is a natural disinfectant. So don't eat or drink for some time and let salt do its work.

I've suffered this malady countless times which eventually led me to devise a way to control the problem. I started gargling three times everyday- morning, evening and night before going to the bed. However, the itch used to start when I was outside, especially while commuting. This is something which wasn't addressed until Corona virus pandemic started. The very thought of catching cold and undergoing Covid-19 tests was scary. I was super careful during the lockdown March and May.

In the first week of May we travelled from Bangalore to Dharwad. For the journey I carried some table salt and a spare water bottle. During the journey, I experienced mild itch which could be due to weather condition or psychological. I must've gargled a dozen times in the 9-hour journey. Ever since that day, its a habit to carry salt-water in a 500ml bottle wherever I go. Find a spot to spit and gargle soon after visiting any public place. A gargle after a meal or even a cup of tea or coffee removed any sugary and oily particles, the two main proponents of throat itch. Those who are using public transport often, do carry a pack of salt and a small bottle.

One may ask how much salt for a given quantity of water? Its simple, the salt water should be salty enough to leave the taste for few minutes i.e. it should almost reach saturation.

Salt has corrosive effect on metals. So its good to exercise care. Ensure the bottle cap doesn't leak. As a extra measure, keep the bottle in a plastic bag. 

Disclaimer: this is a suggestion to prevent throat itch, this not a cure. This suggestion is based on personal experience, this is not be taken as medical advise.

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sunburst of Nov-7

 

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home grown potato

A potato sprout was planted some time July. First leaves were seen in about ten days. The plant stopped growing after two months or so. Ideally potato plants need soft soil, regular water supply but water shouldn't stagnate. Here the soil was slightly hard and logged water during rainfall. When the plant flowers, its time for harvest which is around the end of three months. This plant never flowered and past three months. On digging up the roots, two potato were found. Its a good yield considering the conditions.

The boiled potato tasted good. A successful experiment.

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hanging petal

A golden yellow cosmos flower is transforming itself into seeds. The petals are falling off, one after another. However, one of the petals is held by an invisible thread. Probably a strand from a spider web.

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stunted maize plant

 I'd planted about twenty five seeds at the beginning of rainy season. The seeds were spaced sufficiently. About fifteen grew into plants. When fully grown the tallest was about four and half feet tall while the average height was about three and half feet. The soil was not well suited because it was hard and contained lot of pebbles. Of all the plants, the shortest was about eighteen inches. Surprisingly the plant yielded a tiny ear containing approximately six seeds.

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common sailor butterfly

The common sailor butterfly is a brown butterfly with three rows of white streaks and spots. The other possible name for this butterfly is common sergeant.

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Okra

These Okra plants are about two month old, around half meter tall. Okra plants flower early, which means the yield also is early. They don't need much care as long as moisture is available however if any pests are found spray a mixture of tamarind-salt-water. The pest repellent must be sprayed on buds, flowers and tender okra during dry weather. 

 A closer look at the plants, starting with the leaves. The leaves have a leathery feel but they also have soft thorns. The stems also are covered in soft thorns which probably deters parasite attacks.

Here's a pair of buds. Normally they grow in singles or pairs.

 A bud partially opened exposing the developing petals.

A fully developed flower, always light yellow with a touch of dark red at the base. 

Front view of the flower. The inner base is fully red. The five sided pit indicates the end result.. five sided Okra of the same size. The flower undergoes pollination and eventually folds in as it develops into okra.

 Pictures of young, still growing okras.

An almost ready to harvest okra.

Three month old okra plants stood between four to five feet. They keep growing through their life and once they are seven feet tall their life comes to an end.
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triplet hibiscus

A lovely sight to see three hibiscus bloomed at the same time.

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Crimson Rose again

Jul-25-2020

This is my second encounter with Crimson Rose.

The first encounter was in the last week of March 2011, I managed to get two shots before the beauty flew away. Here's the link to the older post- Crimson Rose.

This time precious seconds ticked while I pulled the camera out of the bag. I managed to get four shots. Had I had the camera in my hand I would've got a dozen shots. Here are two of four shots.

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Parijata ~ ಪಾರಿಜಾತ

I was visiting botanical gardens after a long time. The garden was more like a jungle, with regular rainfall there was lot of vegetation. Branches were shooting onto the footpaths making them narrower. Though there was so much vegetation, there were very few flowers,, the ones which grew throughout the year. I happened to notice the Parijata tree as I was heading back towards the gate. Not many flowers on the tree at this time, probably the flowers were picked in the morning. I was lucky the rain was light and short. The second spell was approaching, I'd quickly snapped a few shots and made haste.

dated flower, ready to fall

the tree didn't want to let go

seeds developing inside these tender pods 

common green grasshopper

Grasshopper is called as Shivana Kuduri (Shiva's horse) in North Karnataka.

Its hind legs are like springs enabling it to leap great distances.

This grasshopper has lost a part of one of its tentacles.

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jungle path

July-25-2020 afternoon at Karnataka University botanical garden.

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Urban wildlife - Wagtail, Warbler and Flycatcher

June 27, 2020

These pictures were shot midday over a span of 2 hours. It was a warm humid day, sign of oncoming rain. Three birds were spotted- Black-and-white wagtail, Brown bush warbler and brown-green flycatcher. 

This bird here was tending to its young ones hiding in the bushes. The young ones are always hungry and need to be fed continuously during the day time.

The wagtail catches a centipede like insect.

And flies back to a rock near the bush where the young ones are hiding. The parent goes into the bush and tucks the food deep into a young one's mouth. I could see the feeding part faintly but shooting wasn't possible because of too many branches in the way.

The wagtail is out again, foraging again.

The wagtail makes several trips to the bush. At times it perches on branches to get a good view of the ground below, making mental note of tiny movements of preys.

Meanwhile the rain fell, a short shower enough to wet the plants, little drops clinging on to the leaves. After a hectic session of searching and feeding, the bird takes a bath in the lemon plant and perches on a mango tree to dry itself. Of the twenty odd shots of the drenched bird, this one was selected. The drying session went on for two or three minutes. 

These pictures of a brown bush warbler were shot earlier I guess. It moving rapidly with its tail feathers spread out, like a little fan.

A wild dance.. wings and tail feathers all spread out.

With little luck I got these two shots of the showoff act. Probably it was trying to entice a female hidden in the lemon plant.

What a sight this is! the tail spread out perfectly and the two streaks over its eyes gives it a sharp look.

Finally, as I was packing up, this tiny beauty appeared. I guess this is a green backed brown flycatcher. The pose lasted few seconds and the tiny one was out of sight. Anyway, this little one stays close by, keeps making frequents trips, probably bringing food for its children.

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Common red pierrot

This white-black-orange butterfly is called Common red pierrot.

The color pattern is amazing. White with black spots, black patch with white spots and an orange band with white spots. Yin, Yang & more.

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Hanuman Langur

June 27, 2020

Around noon three Langurs were prowling the locality, leaping from trees to buildings to ground to trees. They seemed to be young and full of energy. They were playing among themselves, chasing and pulling at each other. However, their playfulness wrecked havoc.. broken branches, leaves torn, unripe fruits half-eaten, they did not spare brinjal flowers too. Thankfully they vanished as suddenly as they had appeared. Of the many shots taken, only two were okay to post.

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Golden green stag beetle

Found this insect on Aug-14 resting on a brinjal plant. Its armor looks like it has been polished. Its legs have anchors to help it cling on to surfaces. Such a lovely creature!

 The beetle's face has a menacing look. As though its wearing a mask.

 The shiny coating is a reminder of fire proof suits. The beetle is coated completely except a part of its tentacles.

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cosmos flower and seeds

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