Intoxicating nature and magical ruins at Hampi

For someone like me who is accustomed to traveling at least once a month the past year has been drier than the dunes of Sahara. So when the opportunity came to visit a place that I hold really close to my heart, it was like a much needed shot in the arm. Hampi was beckoning again and I was ever so ready...Well I was, but little did I reckon that I would still have to face the jinx that has kind of really active in blocking my travels for a while now. We had made plans to leave by 6am, to reach there by lunch at least. We= me + Friend A +Friend B. ( Oh, I am not withholding names to protect anyone's identity, just respecting their privacy and space.) Alarms were set, bags were packed, all I had to do was get ready and leave. But my dear phone decided it was time to drain the battery and shut off. I woke up in alarm to realize the alarm had not alarmed me and I had a dead phone and a Friend with no directions to my place. All the numbers were safe in my phone which refused to boot up. It was 6 a.m. I guess those were the most productive 45 mins of my life and we were finally out by 6:45am..(avoiding all details for the highest good of all concerned... :) ) Whew it did feel good to be out on the road again. Thanks to some excellent driving and the mercy of the universe to keep the traffic at an minimum, We did manage to reach our destination by 12:45pm. On the way Friend A asked for some Fevi-bond to fix a loose sole and Friend B said "I also need some to fix a loose sole" and I hid a smirk and a sigh of relief that my footwear was brand new, bought just the previous evening so that was one less thing I had to worry about. Sigh!!!Little did I know....... Stepping into the Nature camp, we felt like kids entering into a playground. This was home. We were greeted with an amazing lunch and the most beautiful Coppersmith Barbet which Pompayya Sir pointed out to us. He was our guide and companion for the next 3 days and I am sure everyone who has been there would agree that a trip to Hampi would not be the same without Pompayya sir around.

Coppersmith Barbet was waiting to welcome us into the nature albeit against the light.

Post lunch we took off for birding to click some of the treasures of this region.

Chestnut -Bellied Sandgrouse in a brilliant camouflage and so far away. We were lucky to get this beauty.

Something just did not feel right as I stepped out of the car for a closer look at a yellow wattled lapwing. Something was flopping around and dragging me back. Hey wait, that was the sole of my less than 24hrs old footwear. Grrrr..... It flopped , swayed and came right off. Wow so much for the smirk on my face. The other's faces were painted with the widest grin ever as they had the most gala time watching me drag my feet around. Friend A promptly offered the Fevi-Bond to me, but my smirk was going to cost more than just that.. Well this trip was going to be different.

Who cares about a broken footwear when this beautiful female painted sandgrouse posed for us with such a delightful Background.

Where there is a female can her guy be far back. He was there as well, with the evening light fading off, they were ready to have the last feed before the roost.

Hey wait, this is my good side, get that on the cam too.....

A Baya weaver female steps in for her evening meal

And is soon joined by her friends the scaly breasted munia and the silverbill.  Unity in diversity.

Ashy Crowned sparrow lark joins in for a quick pose.

How do these guys hold on to their woolly necks in such a warm weather? Don't sweat the small stuff - he seems to be saying.

It was late and getting dark, so we bid the birds goodbye, but we still had some time before we could roost for the day. That was when Pompayya sir suggested we could visit the Virupaksha temple. Having never gone inside the temple in any of our previous visits, this was going to be a new experience. The temple at night is so different from the temple during the day. It was so silent and the serene energy from the every stone in the temple was so vivid. The priests were preparing for the daily night ritual before the deity was moved to the resting chambers. The temple elephant was brought in, the deity was taken around in a palanquin, the resident macaques of the temple were ready for their dinner of rice that was a part of the ritual. Everyone seemed to know exactly what they had to do and where they fit in, as we and one visiting foreigner couple sat and absorbed the whole atmosphere in. The whole process took about an hour and for people who are not regular temple goers, this probably would be the best time to visit, do nothing, just sit, watch and soak it in. The energy in this temple is immense, it still holds the energy of the bygone era. If you are ready to feel it, it is there.

End of day 1. Day 2 - Friend B had earlier tried to help and fix my footwear with the Fevi-Bond, ( I still have to repay for that) but to be on the safer side as we started our day I took my bright pink bathroom flip-flops as a back up. It proved to be a wise decision. But then maybe bright pink was lucky as we came across this beautiful bird soon after.

What an incredible perch and pose - Eurasian Eagle Owl

And this one with babies. One of the little ones is already sitting on its parent's head. That's called starting early.

This beautiful Bronze back tree snake was rescued a day earlier by Pompayya sir and this was while releasing back into its domain.

We were mesmerized by its beauty so some more pics.

And a lifer for me to end the morning session with.

After the morning session, we were in for a surprise. A visit to the Daroji sloth bear sanctuary was lined for us. It was a hot, well super hot afternoon to say the least and there was no saying how long we would have to wait for our hero to show up, so we headed for the sanctuary armed with all flavours of soft drinks and a prayer for an early sighting. Oh yes, I did visit the sanctuary in the bright pinks flip-flops too. I am sure all of are glad I am not posting a pic of those here.

Charlie's angels - Yellow Billed babblers sharing our sentiments about the heat.

Our hero was taking his time to show his presence, in the meanwhile we were in for a treat. Rufous treepie making a quick appearance.

Of course the beauties of the sanctuary - Painted sandgrouse Male

And his pretty lady.

Francolin doing the catwalk

The cool dudes adding the cool colors to a really hot afternoon and still no sign of our hero.

and I guess this guy needs a bit more footage too....

Ah at last the hero of the sanctuary made his appearance. So so so very handsome, how does he keep himself so well groomed.  This fellow can easily add us to his list of fans.

Sloth Bear scape

The afternoon was really productive at the sanctuary,but we were ready for more. So after a quick break it was time for an evening session of birding.

Yet another glimpse of the handsome guy, but somehow I could not manage to get a shot of his pretty necklace.

Large Grey Babblers - I'll watch your back bro while you feed.

Could we get any more luckier? Jungle Bush quail Male coming in for a quick bite.

Hey look, his wife joined in too.

And they brought in their kids - Yup family who eat together stay together...:)

End of evening session with a Pied Kingfisher on its evening hunt.

Oh the day was not yet over....there was one more session left for the night, we still had to look for nightjars who for some reason were very silent this trip.

But we got the hunter himself in action.

and we got the nightjar too...:)

Maybe I should wear those bright pink flip-flops more often on birding trips. This by far had proven to be the most productive and fulfilling day ever, though Friend B made yet another attempt to fix my footwear. (His reputation was at stake.. :) ) We retired after the most amazing dinner. The night was warm, the insects sang their lullaby, clouds obscured the stars. Mercifully the electricity stayed put and the fan circulated the warm dry air with a monotonous drone as we dozed. End Of Day 2. Day 3 was reserved for the essence of Hampi, where the ruins never grow old (Pun intended). Mornings always are so pleasant and we chose to make the best of it by heading for the Matanga hills. How could we leave Hampi without a glimpse of the Yellow Throated Bulbul. We heard them, saw them dive into the shrubs but just not for long enough.

One of them was kind enough to oblige for a precious few seconds, not before leading us on a merry dance jumping from rock to rock that would have made any macaque envious.

The market area - Geometric precision of the beautiful ruins. Missed the perfection of the shadows by a bit.

Worn out stairs from the river lead to a small Mantapa. How did they make this among so many boulders, so simple, fitting right in and so elegant.

Same 'mantapa' different view.

A view of the Virupaksha temple with the Tungabhadra in the foreground.

Not inside any temple, nor in any "mantapa' just tucked away in a niche is this simple yet beautiful carving on a rock that still attracts devotees to worship.

In the land of the talented the river becomes an artist too. Naturally carved holes by the river.

Surprisingly the only plum headed parakeet we could get a shot off in this trip, in Achyutaraya temple. Technically half a plum headed Parakeet.

and presumably mother and young Rose ringed Parakeets.

The tank outside the Achyutaraya temple with the pavilion in the center.

The pavilion in the center of the tank where idols of deities were kept during the annual boat festival.(presumed)

We were so caught up with the architecture that we almost walked into this Sirkeer Malkoha , who probably was so offended at not being noticed, decided to come and sit right in front of us, till we clicked a few pics.

A Blue Rock Thrush is true to his name.

Firangipani tree adorning the entrance of yet another temple

Open Billed Stork enjoying its flight in a scenic background

Mothers and Kids Gather around in what might previously have been a shop in the bygone era. Some respite from the sweltering afternoon heat.

Huddling to its mother, it is amazing to see the proportion of the young one's tail and paws to the rest of its body.

The shopping complex still attracts so many visitors, a white wagtail, winter migrant, hanging around for some last minute shopping perhaps

One of the last shots of our trip, a lone pipit to bid us good bye.

We were forced to wind up early due to the unexpected rise in temperature. Cool coconut water was devoured with frenzy.They can be real life saver. Much needed lunch at the 'Mango Tree' to restore the energy levels and a much more needed quick visit to the cobbler later we were back at the nature camp. This time there was no remorse about having to get back, since the whole trip was so satisfying and fulfilling. Our hearts were full and we would be back. If I can describe Hampi in one word, it would be 'addictive' . No matter how many times you visit the place, it always has more magic to offer, more questions to think about, more curiosity aroused and more things to notice which have been missed in all the earlier trips. You can visit Hampi for a day, for a week, for a whole month even and can still have the most precious experience. the rocks still have those vibrations, lean against one, run your hands on any of the carvings, feel it with your heart, just listen, the magic comes alive. It is one place where the number of footfalls has not diluted any energy. We felt it and hope you can too.

Photographs and work by Tharangini is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Once upon a time

The humble sparrow, how many of us have grown up to their stories from our grandparents while watching these little birds busily fly around in the neighbourhood. I guess a lot of us may have seen them vanish right before our eyes and before we realised it was too late they were gone from our cities. Depressing as it may sound we no longer can tell the same stories and poems of the humble sparrow to our little ones, they no longer know what they are. Here is a hope among hope that someday all this will change and we can once again wake up to the cheerful chirps of this humble bird.

A young male on a tiny twig surveying his territory however small or big. "They remember us once in a year, when the world's sparrow day is near. Apart from that where do they go, is there any action they do and follow? " In some urban areas the population has fallen by 99%.

Despite being one of the closest bird to mankind, what is it that has caused this drastic decline. Sparrows are known to eat over 800 different types of food. So there is no scarcity of that in the urban world. But the rising glass Facades are undoubtedly encroaching in the habitats of these tiny birds.

Another Male, handsome and alert, looking for a female to flirt? Though Sparrows are said to be monogamous, infidelity is not uncommon or so it has been discovered.

And there she is looking pretty and neat. Looking forward to meet her man as soon as she can.

Oh look "Have no fear my dear, for your man is here" Sparrows are known to aggressively protect their nest from other sparrows.

But before that a nice little dust bath to make himself presentable..

Together now and feeding in peace, making a sweet pair and completely at ease. Hoping to come together and increase their dwindling brood as every responsible sparrow pair should? ( sorry If am sounding like a sparrow granny - purely for rhyming purpose)Sparrows have 2-3 broods each year. Female lays 3 to 5 eggs. Incubation period lasts 12 to 15 days. Both parents take care of the eggs and chicks.

A cute little one looking for a sip of water on a hot summer day. The summer this year has taken its toll on all species. The young ones are ready to leave nest in 2 weeks after hatching. But this is the time they are most vulnerable. Not fully experienced in the ways of life, they are easy prey to cats and other predators.

The nectar of life for the young one. Little does she know that there are still people around who care for their well being and survival. This was in Hampi where Mr.Pompayya Malemath ensures that the tap drips just enough to quench the thirst of all the hopefuls who converge for their daily fill.

The need to stay clean and a thorough preen. some places still provide a safe haven for these little birds. If only we can increase the area of this haven.

Sisters at rest in Ladakh. Sparrows have a lifespan of about 4-5 years and these pictures have been clicked in various locations. I've always felt they were a lucky charm for me and try and click at least 1 pic of a sparrow in each trip, if I can sight them. This is just a small tribute to my favourite birds that I miss around me.

Photographs and work by Tharangini is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Macaques - Emotions unlimited.

Macaques - Naughty, gleeful, full of mischief. Notorious to the core yet adorable beyond compare with emotions to match, always providing unlimited entertainment to watch. The joy and wonder in the young ones face or the sadness and pain the mother displays, the anger and the aggression of the dominant male with varieties of behaviour that never run stale . Here is an attempt to capture some of the many behaviours, expressions and emotions. It is a compilation of the shots that have been captured over a period of time and here is hoping it captures your imaginations too.

A goofy smile stretching a mile, toothless mouth and wonderstruck eyes, the ears seem to wake up to the surprise. Every single element an unique source of constant amusement, this young one surely knows to enjoy to its heart's content.

To hang out with, to share a few words, to converse, to gossip, to rave and rant with, to tear you hair out with, to eavesdrop with, to shed our tears with, to share your joys with, to laugh, to shout, to work, to play with, to travel with , to do nothing with, to look at the stars together or gaze at the pouring rain, the walk in the beach, having fun at a bad movie, to call in the middle of the night or to wake you up on a dull day.... how is any of this possible without a friend by the side....

And so went on the interaction with a Moooooommyyyyyyyyyy helppppppppp he is chewing on my finger to don't bother me kids... go play elsewhere, My funky hairdo did not impress her, All I want to do is sulk and stare. I wish I could state what else went on in their minds, But well aware if I do so I'll be tagged in their kinds. This really amusing interaction and watching these kids at play, the kind that keeps you smiling the whole day -

There are times when a well timed growl is necessary, whatever the reason maybe. Let it out, if needed shout, But once you are done, Relax and once again learn to have fun.. Most importantly please do ensure, others are not a victim of your stress cure. Everyone has one of those days. Growl, but remember again to smile away..

Best place in the world to be, Mother's arm, gentle yet firm and incomparably warm, In her arms, I know no fear, as she holds me near. I am without a care in the world, Not when I am in her fold. This is for me, Best place in the world to be.

The hands came together in a silent prayer to save our environment from further brutalities. Let's get together and be kind to the world we live in. After all it is the only one we have. Let's get together and pray - and implement a safe environment for one and all.

Through the arms of his mother, He looked out in wonder, It was his window to the world, A little scared, a little bold, With shining eyes, Trying to analyse, From the arms of his mother, A world full of wonder.

The young one in a wembrace,huddled on to his mother as her strong arms crossed over him protectively allowing him to take a sneak pek of the world around that he would soon explore. Till then he would be in the close vicinity of the most powerful security in the world for him, in the arms of his mother.

Her Fingers bleeding, leaving a stain on her young ones tiny head, yet her grip firm enough to provide all the support despite her pain as the young one slept blissfully unaware in the most comfortable bed known to him. His mother's arms. A slight grimace once in a while was all that indicated her pain as she held steady with the barest of the movement lest she disturbed her dearest ones deep slumber. Who else can the bleeding finger belong to but a mother...

So what if I was naughty, that's what kids are meant to be, Sitting on the lone branch on this tree, Oh cant you see, I long to be free. Care to be friends with me?

A little tale of a tail, to impress without fail, A Monkey's best friend, and so has been the trend, none to play with and yet never alone, A tail to hang around till the day is done.

The setting sun shot his flames up into the sky setting the macaque on fire as he glowed in full glory surrendering to the power of the fiery ball of fire the provider of all essentials and life on earth. The heat was immense and yet the beauty of every single being set alight that evening could not be ignored.

Brothers and what more need I say, never still for a minute even after repeated request to sit still. While one found his brother's ears to be a tasty morsel, the other chewed on his mother's tail and tried rock climbing using it as a support. It was with incredible difficulty that 2 pairs of curious eyes peered into the camera for a split second before they were off to drive their mother crazy again.

Happiness is everywhere, you just have to look for it...the completely engrossed young one amusing itself with every single nook and crack in the bark of the tree, knowing so well how to find the innocent joy hidden there while the mother clearly displays her undisguised boredom. As we lose the curiosity in life, we also tend to take a lot of things for granted. But just look around, there is a lot of happiness to be found.

Photographs and work by Tharangini is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.