tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270367282011-11-28T04:44:08.381+05:30This blog was originally started off with no particular theme in mind. Once I had started, I couldn't leave it to die out but neither could I publish with the frequency that I had promised myself. It was rather like holding a tiger by the tail. Hence the name. It evolved from a travel blog to a nature and wildlife blog. That is what it will continue to be.Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-32162665847934622602011-04-22T21:28:00.000+05:302011-04-22T21:28:59.798+05:30

Adu's now officially a teen. He turned 13 yesterday (April 21, 2011) and is somewhere in Dandeli experiencing the delights of the forests and the Kali river there. I'm moping because I couldn't go with him but, what the heck, he's happy. Lots of stuff happened to me too over the last few months. I went through considerable stress and finally got out of it when I changed jobs. I'm now working for

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-72480431060242781822010-12-28T11:23:00.001+05:302011-04-24T07:12:51.636+05:30

This is my last post for the year 2010. So first of all, Happy New Year to everybody. I hope 2011 brings you all joy and success. It has been a year of ups and downs for me but I've managed to pull through without too much damage. There were one or two times when I did wonder what was happening but thanks to my friends, my photography, and my bird watching jaunts, I did maintain some semblance

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-75602575869548929742010-12-15T08:35:00.012+05:302010-12-15T09:39:57.454+05:30

Set in Kanakapura, not too far away from Bangalore, is a little resort. To say it's a resort is a massive overstatement. A few thatch covered tents, a small tank, five bathrooms, and a kitchen; surrounded by a elephant trench. There is no electricity save for the main administration building which also serves as a kitchen. This is Basic Halli.Halli in Kannada means village and the resort boasts

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-3827325634304362132010-05-05T23:12:00.003+05:302010-05-05T23:29:41.304+05:30

Life has been just too hectic for me. I've taken on a new role and new responsibilities which leave me less time for anything personal. I actually gave up on the blog because some of my readers asked me to stop writing and let Adu write. However, he too is busy at his hoary old age of 12 getting around and doing things that 12-year-olds do.I will begin posting again, but I don't know when and how

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-88208969479724573152009-05-14T18:39:00.003+05:302009-05-14T19:33:49.482+05:30

Editor's Comment: First off, Adu wishes to apologise for the undue delay in publishing his trip report. This trip was made on April 21, 2009, Adu's 11th birthday, and he managed to finish this report only today. Second, I am officially turning over this blog to Adu and will only assist him in publishing it as his stenographer/secretary. The photographs will remain mine but all text content and

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-88807906375567493362009-02-08T10:43:00.006+05:302009-02-08T11:55:27.613+05:30

This is the third and last part of the series on B.R.Hills that has excerpts from Adu's diary. I got so much flak over my explanatory notes in the last two entries that I have decided that I will only introduce this update and stay silent.Adu was thrilled over all your comments, oral and written (that I dutifully conveyed to him).Excerpt from Adu's diary:We went on the morning safari, but since

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-38319233974896348172009-01-04T11:58:00.011+05:302009-01-04T13:35:28.636+05:30

The Biligirirangan Hills, or B.R.Hills in Mysore, was where we went on a short holiday. Adu's diary offers enticing information excerpts of which I'm posting here. This is the second part of this three-part series on the B.R. Hills.There will be some photographs merely to showcase some of the world's most beautiful animals and birds but they will not detract from Adu's verbal portrait of the

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-19187299823792917372008-12-28T11:40:00.016+05:302008-12-30T10:37:53.833+05:30

It's been a while since I blogged. Personal projects have kept me busy through the last few weeks and I returned home every evening, exhausted and worried. This post is in three parts since I'm putting in large excerpts from my son's diary/trip report and I realized as I was going along that it was going to become a very long post.I spent three glorious days at the Biligiriragan Hills in

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-55712329206989541022008-09-21T10:37:00.006+05:302008-09-22T06:50:25.941+05:30

The street I live in has organized a woodcutter and the beautiful African Tulip has been shorn of its glory. No longer will I step on fallen flowers after a shower, to slip, curse, and regain my balance. No longer will my car be showered with flowers that fall with a dull thump and mar the windshield with juices that refuse to go away.But, no longer will I be able to glimpse the sky through those

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-14670208361961199032008-09-08T20:51:00.011+05:302008-09-08T21:24:04.503+05:30

First of all, let me apologize for not having returned for such a long time. I did promise a post on bees, but have been so constrained that I was unable to work out that post at all. It did need a couple of fresh photographs that I didn't take at all.Now that I've the excuses out of the way let me tell you about Saturday morning. The first morning in the last six months that my family and I have

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-69577894197618266302008-08-13T21:32:00.004+05:302008-08-13T21:39:23.129+05:30

I haven't managed to post much these last few weeks owing to "technical" problems. That really hasn't stopped me from continuing to observe and enjoy nature.I will post sometime over this weekend but I thought I should leave you all with a little teaser on what I plan to post on.That's right, it's bees. And the very helpful tabebuia tree, right in front of my house is currently providing a lot of

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-57349197888779667912008-07-09T12:29:00.014+05:302008-07-09T15:48:34.150+05:30

Since I'm home bound most weekends (owing to requirements, not restrictions) I've had the unique opportunity to stand in my balcony and look out across the limitless rooftops that dot our fair city of Bangalore.Smoke from a million exhaust pipes kill one's enthusiasm to venture out at all. The tabebuia tree in front of my house is some solace since it plays host to several animals and birds. Of

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-42874828709835119902008-06-30T14:02:00.015+05:302008-06-30T16:53:05.967+05:30

It has been a long time since I blogged last about the spotted deer. "Common animals" is now the refrain from many of my friends who have been to Bannerghatta and back. They're not even impressed by the sight of gaur, sambar and Nilgai. Now it's only the tigers and the lions. Even the bear safari draws only as much as a "ho hum" from many of them.Bangalore city abounds in birdlife. Months ago, my

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-77019934649367416032008-06-04T16:40:00.008+05:302008-06-04T17:05:10.861+05:30

Chital or spotted deer, in South India, are frequently found in close quarters to human habitation. I remember asking about this peculiar occurrence while all other creatures would stay well away from anything human, spotted deer would be found all around huts in the forest.On safari in Kabini, I photographed so many spotted deer that I began to get quite fed up with them. Some of them were

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-31430386445048414022008-05-20T10:02:00.016+05:302008-06-02T11:20:13.186+05:30

Water fowl aren't quite my cup of tea but this once I was prepared to make an exception. At the Lal Bagh lake, I was striding along ahead of Trupti, Adu, and Pallavi when I stopped stunned. There in front of me, making its stately way across the water was a Spot-Billed Pelican or the Grey Pelican. (Note: This update was provided by Karthik)It's rather benevolent visage was unmistakable despite

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-8835168904608466472008-05-12T14:19:00.010+05:302008-05-19T16:39:51.058+05:30

I have always found animals and birds fascinating. In my childhood, I spent a considerable time during summer afternoons carefully watching a small beehive on a lemon tree in my backyard while making highly scientific notes like "top part of hive active, bottom part inactive..." and so on. The internet wasn't there then and there were few reference books (I claim) that helped me understand then

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-73935583033868559342008-04-24T14:30:00.008+05:302008-04-29T11:45:06.815+05:30

Monday was Adu's birthday. He cooled off in Jungle Lodges and Resorts' Bannerughatta property overnight on Sunday and we joined him on Monday.The searing heat beat down on us relentlesslly squashing our enthusiasm thoroughly. Sweating profusely we set out almost as soon as we arrived to see if there were any birds insane enough to venture out into the mid-morning sun.The bag was a Tickell's Blue

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-8263977925878117722008-04-16T09:41:00.002+05:302008-04-16T09:51:23.038+05:30

It's been a while since I wrote last. But this morning, an unusual sight (for me anyway) resulted in this post. Nope, sorry, I don't have a picture of this unusual sight.On the road linking Sarjapur to the Hosur Road, an open sewage canal runs alongside. Several Brahmini kites and paraiah (black) kites populate this place and share space along with mynahs and crows.A flash sighting of a bird

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-32539568291221836992008-03-22T19:52:00.007+05:302008-03-22T23:19:16.726+05:30

A mottled wood owl sat on an old, old treeLooked down on Adu, Deepa, and meAnd asked, "what have you come to see?"Startled by our silent awe, he spread his wingsAnd said "wait till the Golden Oriole sings"For then the light will be rightAnd these crows just mightLeave me alone to roost in peaceUntil such time that I please. This Saturday again, saw us in Lal Bagh, Bangalore's beautiful botanical

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-28972491959102988672008-03-18T20:01:00.004+05:302008-03-24T11:09:19.896+05:30

There were three pictures that refused to be uploaded when I updated this blog the last time. So I thought I would make a new post out of them. While initially confused over the identity of this bird (by the length of the beak shown in the book) we have now confirmed that it is a female purple-rumped sunbird. [Thanks to Deponti for getting this bird identified]. This lily and its reflection

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-32546700426103707032008-03-16T12:56:00.002+05:302008-05-13T14:28:05.038+05:30

Feathered fiends is right. And I'm sure there are hordes of photographers who'll agree with me. Tickell's Flowerpeckers rarely stop moving, sunbirds don't either, Ashy Prinias find the thickest clump of vegetation and only provide tantalizing glimpses. I could go on.Owls are lovely birds. Owlets even more so. I chanced upon this spotted owlet when out birding at Lal Bagh in Bangalore with Deepa,

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-27081412065708600402008-03-07T21:45:00.001+05:302008-03-16T11:10:56.400+05:30

Yes sir, fair takes my heart away when I see those wee critters just hanging in there. My state these last few weeks. I didn't want to post but there were compensations. I'm not going into my sob stories or for that matter any stories. My heart just missed a few beats when suddenly, out of the blue, I won the third place in a photography contest organized by Pixetra and IIPM. The Amaze photo

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-3104976864412965682008-01-27T17:12:00.000+05:302008-01-27T19:50:11.285+05:30

I'd promised I would be back and here I am. After duly agonizing over what to write, ending up with writer's block (blockheadedness) and generally feeling lazy about doing anything that even remotely resembled work, I decided, I had better get back to writing. At least the blog to start with. Now, I've got some focus. I recently joined a photography club - Pixetra - which is attached to a camera

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-6853377604825701772007-12-31T17:47:00.000+05:302007-12-31T17:55:50.839+05:30

I haven't been updating this blog for a while and I beg forgiveness from those who must have dropped in to check until their phenomenal patience petered out. All I can say at this moment is:Happy New Year everybody.Even couch potatoes celebrate New Year's eve.I'll be back. Soon. I promise.

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-90345223258094637332007-01-25T15:06:00.000+05:302007-01-25T15:22:14.429+05:30

One of my closest friends got married and has decided to move to the desert to meditate. I got to attend the wedding, dance with the bride and have five star dinner after all. She looked ravishing and I was terrified that my innate talent in dancing would take over and that people would be rolling on the floor either clutching their sides in hysterical laughter or yelling in agony over toes

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1160516156876597752006-10-11T03:04:00.000+05:302006-10-11T03:05:56.890+05:30

The White Mountains beckoned me seductively as I greedily drank in the view. Fall. Trees ablaze with every shade of green, yellow and red. I didn't think I could take in so much color. Dan parked the car at the bottom of Mt. Pierce and started to change his shoes as I shrugged on my camera backpack and hooked my water bottle into the chest strap."These are the easiest of the mountains in the

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1159391941905763912006-09-28T02:21:00.000+05:302006-09-28T02:49:01.923+05:30

She was beautiful. It was love at first sight but, sadly, not to last. Sam and I wandered up to her to strike up a conversation but I was struck dumb, grinning stupidly from ear to ear. She stood there all alone, in the afternoon sunshine, swaying gently, a priceless pearl among the aseptic vessels that dotted the Boston Harbor. She was The Liberty Clipper and I was just waiting to board her for

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1157422813019462142006-09-05T07:46:00.000+05:302006-09-05T07:50:13.030+05:30

I met him at the West Entrance of the North Station in Boston. He was ugly, lame and aggressive. But there was a certain charm in the way he fixed you with his beady eye, neither demanding nor requesting, but knowing that you will give him any scraps that you certainly don't need. His attitude was one that reflected absolute clarity about his position.I called him Oswald. Why, I don't know. But

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1157308660666272402006-09-03T23:55:00.000+05:302006-09-04T00:07:40.676+05:30

It started off by being rather cold, not cold as cold goes in Boston, but cold enough to cause a mild fit of cursing. I set off, camera in hand to Boston's North End. The quest of course was the battleship - The USS Constitution. She was lying to where they had tied her up and was scrubbed to shine like a new penny. Naval personnel of all ranks were gathered in and around her, proudly saluting

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1156283284009803362006-08-23T02:52:00.000+05:302006-08-23T03:18:04.026+05:30

I'm back in Boston after a hiatus of about two and a half months and enjoying the warm air, getting to sniff the flowers and watching the bees go about their business.British Airways are wonderful. I must say that. Their service is excellent and efficient though they ask you a question and insist you answer yes or no. Like food for instance. But then again, you don't want to muck up the issue

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1151466805271447442006-06-28T09:06:00.000+05:302006-08-10T09:08:19.183+05:30

The Happy Traveler is a blog that records the travels of a family all over the world. Nicely written personal experiences that help in understanding this huge, complex structure that we live in. She recounts experiences that range from the happy to the frustrating and the terrifying. I read the latest post in which she narrated her family's harassment at the hands of unscrupulous people who

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1148964648598359092006-05-30T10:01:00.000+05:302006-05-30T10:20:48.610+05:30

It seems to me that it's been a long, long time since I wrote my meaningless meanderings. Of course, there's no one looking but on the off chance that someone is, I keep putting in my two bits here.Flying out of Boston and heading towards a rising sun over an erstwhile empire was hair-raising. That was because the plane I was supposed to be on "was hit by lightning a dozen times" or so the

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1147107981848761612006-05-08T22:20:00.000+05:302006-05-08T22:36:21.880+05:30

I'm lazy. That's what's wrong with me. I'm so lazy that I'd rather sit back with my feet up and dream of all the things I could do than get out and do them. I was pushed to travel and New Jersey it was. My boss was driving and I loved just sitting back getting snap happy with my camera stopping occasionally to look at the rolling Adirondacks and the sprawling countryside. Crossing little brooks

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27036728.post-1146067028323931492006-04-26T21:12:00.000+05:302006-04-26T21:27:08.333+05:30

This is my introduction. I prefer to stay safely tucked away in my couch, travelling vicariously and living a life of absolute abandon. Sure, it's unhealthy and I'm not defending it. In fact, I don't defend myself, usually.Amateur photographer pretending to be great, writer of sorts, and philosopher in waiting, is how I could describe myself.People who know me, and many don't, think I have a

Couch Potatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399873120857361651noreply@blogger.com1