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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