Butterfly to be identified

Need help identifying this butterfly, please comment below!

Keelback taking a swim

Prinking in the morning

First, the under-wings

Next up, a breeze-wash

Get the shoulders cleaned up

Stretch...

Finally, the chest

Mango stem borer

Common name: Mango stem borer

Scientific name: Batocera rufomaculata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Arthropoda
                                               Class: Insecta
                                               Order: Coleoptera
                                               Sub-order: Polyphaga
                                               Family: Cerambycidae
                                               Genus: Batocera
                                               Species: B. rufomaculata

Type of species: Indigenous (pest)

Distribution: It is a widely distributed pest. It ranges across China, Israel, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Laos, Mauritius, Malaysia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Pakistan, Syria, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Barbados, and the Virgin Islands.

Habitat: Known to affect Ficus carica, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, and Shorea robusta. Hence, found in habitats that support these tree species, mostly tropics.

Conservation status: Least concern

Brainfever bird

A few words: If you've ever been walking through a forest when suddenly, a creepy three-note call carries through the trees again and again until it abruptly stops.  Congratulations! You've just had your first unnerving encounter with the brain-fever bird. Known for its disturbing call, the brain fever bird even looks like a complete wacko, and can be easily identified. All one has to do is look for yellow markings around crazed eyes.

Common name: Common hawk-cuckoo; brain-fever bird

Scientific name: Hierococcyx varius

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Chordata
                                               Class: Aves
                                               Order: Cuculiformes
                                               Family: Cuculidae
                                               Genus: Hierococcyx
                                               Species: H. varius

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: It is found in most parts of the Indian sub-continent. Some birds go as far as Sri Lanka in the winter months.

Habitat: Arable land, tree groves, deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/369255


Distribution map:

Source: hbw.com

Common Myna

A few words: Dera doesn't seem to have a very large myna population. However, they can be easily found. They often aggregate in groups on the paths and roads that wind through the forest and farm alike. Perhaps their most noticeable feature is the yellow markings around both eyes. They make for good photography subjects; not shying away from the camera and moving relatively slow.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission has declared mynas to be one of the world's most invasive species. In-fact, it is one of only three birds in the top 100 species that poses a threat to biodiversity, agriculture and human interests.

A perfect specimen

Common name: Common myna

Scientific name: Acridotheres tristis

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Chordata
                                               Class: Aves
                                               Order: Passeriformes
                                               Family: Sturnidae
                                               Genus: Acridotheres
                                               Species: A. tristis

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: Though it is native to Asia, it has been introduced in a large number of countries, from Canada to Australia. This has made the myna a global presence.

Habitat: Open woodland, agricultural regions and areas around human habitation.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/364334


Distribution map:

                       

Source: scielo.org.za

           

Saving the sunbird

The sunbird flitted around haphazardly; up and up until it hit the ceiling, round and about perching on lights and the blades of the fan. And as it flew, it cried, a shrill song, of which each note was long-drawn out. Outside the window, listening helplessly to the cries of their companion, 15 birds were gathered, of which there was only one male. Some buzzed around the tree branches restlessly, others perched on the bars of the window grill or on the window itself. Some birds would call out to their companion, perhaps trying to get her to come towards them. Others watched silently, maybe wondering if their friend would ever make it. 

I walked into the middle of this crisis in the late afternoon. I didn’t know how long this drama had gone on for. But like her companions, I was worried, because each time the bird perched on a surface, her feathers and claws collected the centuries old dust and cob-webs, and she flew with visibly more effort. Despite my worry, my fascination with the whole scene was evident. It was enamoring to see the little bird’s social circle gathered around in support. Watching the exchange between the free birds and the one fighting towards freedom was incredible. I have never seen the likes of it. 

When I informed my mother of the on-going drama, she said that the same thing had happened yesterday, when a sun-bird flew into the kitchen. Was it the same idiot?, she wondered aloud. She assured me that the little bird would find its way out at some point, just like the one did yesterday. Not entirely convinced I went back into the room and found to my alarm that the bird’s social circle, which seemed to me solid as rock, was disintegrating at a rapid pace. Every few minutes, a few birds would flutter off, making the voices of encouragement fainter. Consequently, the conversation between the two parties lulled. But what if those birds outside were spectators? Watching on as the maw of the house threatened to snuff out the existence of one of their own. Maybe they left because they were bored, or perhaps they gave up on her ever making it out. 

It was at this point that I received the threat of having my afternoon nap revoked. So sending up a silent yell of encouragement, I left, locking the door behind me.

It was in the evening that I remembered the sun-bird and her plight. I was a bit apprehensive going into the room. Unfortunately, the bird hadn’t made it out. By this time she was so covered in muck that her wings labored under the weight. Though she was tired, she wasn’t giving up, an admirable quality. In a fearful hurry, I roused up my mother and sister and soon we were all in the room, equipped with a broomstick, a duster and a hula hoop. We attempted to steer the bird out the window but we only succeeded in agitating an already stressed out bird. 10 minutes later, she crashed into the wall and fell into the gap between the cupboard and wall. Sweating and scared, we slowly shifted the structure and peered into the gap. There she was, fluttering weakly but apparently unharmed and somehow still willing herself to get on with the escape. 

She made a flying leap out of the gap, and simultaneously I cupped my hands and scooped. She was so weighted down with dirt that she could no longer fly, and that made her capture immensely easier. Gently, my mother and I removed all the dirt – the cobwebs, miniature dust bunnies- from her lovely feathers, her tiny feet and jet black claws, and from her elegantly curved beak. The tiny creature sat still in my hands, now and then regarding us with a glittering eye. Meanwhile, my sister went to get the cameras.

We managed to get a few photographs in the time it took to clean the bird up. And then I went to the window and set her free. That is a moment I will remember forever. The way she fluttered off quick as anything, dipping and weaving through the branches of the tree, beautiful and free. 

Ahoy there!

Hardwickia binata

The majestic tree stands tall

A few words: Only recently did we heard about this magnificent species at the Auroville Botanical Gardens.  We were given the task of collecting the giantess' seeds. Unfortunately, seed season was over. On the bright side, we had the chance to get a closer look at the tree. The most outstanding characteristic, in my view, would be the bark, which bears a likeness to crocodile skin.

Crocodile bark

Common name: Anjan tree

Scientific name: Hardwickia binata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Plantae
                                               Phylum: Angiospermae
                                               Class: Eudicots
                                               Order: Fabales
                                               Family: Fabaceae
                                               Subfamily: Detarioideae
                                               Genus: Harwickia
                                               Species: binata

Mature leaf

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution:  The tree is most commonly found in the dry open forests of Central and South India. However, its range extends to the western Himalayas up-to 1500m elevation.

Habitat: Dry deciduous forests

Conservation status: Least concern

Distribution map:

Sourced from envis.frlht.org

Mooning 101 (Ass taught by a red-vented bulbul)

Are you ready?

Boom shaka laka!!

You like, huh?

Huntsman spider

Front view.

Top view.

To scale.

Orthomorpha coarctata

Two millipedes mating.

Defense mechanism

To scale.

Scientific name: Orthomorpha coarctata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Arthropoda
                                             Class: Diplopoda
                                             Order: Polydesmida
                                             Family: Paradoxosomatidae
                                             Genus: Orthomorpha
                                             Species: O. coarctata

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats. One such area is semi-forested areas with high levels of humidity.
 
Conservation status: Least concern
 
Distribution: This common millipede is purported to be native to Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, due to human carelessness, it has found its way across the world (sub-tropics only).

Source: wikimedia