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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Flame lily ~ ಅಗ್ನಿ ಶಿಖೆ

These red-yellow petals indeed look like tongues of flame.

Gloriosa superba, commonly known as flame lily is native to Africa and Asia. Its a creeper with leaf-tip tendrils. Here's a ready-to-bloom bud, a tendril has entwined around the stalk.

Leaves and young buds.

A fully developed flower.

A flower as seen from the bottom.

A fully developed plant supported on a mango tree.

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Karnakundala Balsam flower

My earliest memories of balsam are from school days when our teacher has asked us to place an uprooted plant into water colored with blue-ink. After few hours the plant absorbs the ink and flowers has a tint of blue. 

Balsam is also called as jewel weed, rose balsam and ladies slippers. Balsam flower colors are shades of red and purple, and some times white too.

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