Cicada Apocalypse – A Survivor’s Account
For the first time since 1803, two broods of cicadas synchronised their emergence. The next time this takes place, who knows if the human race will be around?
Category: Encounter
There’s always a first time. The Green Ogre’s ‘Encounter’ series describes memorable first meetings with birds, beasts, places, natural monuments and natural phenomena.
Pranayama with Bar-headed Geese – A Pilgrimage in Gadag
Bar-headed Geese are masters of pranayama, making use of atmospheric oxygen like few other birds can. In that sense, they are true yogis, and making a journey to see them is akin to a pilgrimage.
Romancing a Taiga Flycatcher in a tangle of pronouns
Walking by the woods on a wintry morning, I romanced a Taiga Flycatcher. We began a relationship. Two roads diverged – which would I choose?
Encounter: Northern Treeshrew in Arunachal Pradesh
Running into a Northern Treeshrew in Arunachal Pradesh can be exhilarating. This tiny mammal, resembling a pointy-nosed squirrel, is more closely related to primates.
Indian Nightjar, Sweet Child O’Mine
Nightjars own the dark. To spy one by daylight is a gift from the night. An Indian Nightjar with a baby by its side is a vision
Encounter – African Coral-rag Skink
The harsh habitat of the Zanzibar coastline shelters a uniquely adapted reptile, the African Coral-rag Skink
Kissing frogs in pouring rain – a herping diary from Munnar
Love frogs and snakes but reluctant to get your boots muddy? Join Vibhu Varshney on a vicarious visual journey herping in God’s Own Country!
Faces at a Feeder: Meet the Carolina Wren
Teakettle… teakettle. The Carolina Wren, though diminutive, makes its presence felt with its big, loud voice.
Kutch Diaries – Going Waku Waku with Sandgrouse in Banni
Continuing the Kutch Diaries, with close encounters with three different species of sandgrouse in Banni grasslands
A Sea Snake out of water
Writhing on the beach under the glare of the sun and the heat of the fishermen’s ire, the Hook-nosed Sea Snake had little to choose between the devil and the deep sea
Tender, funny, macabre – three wild tales from a weekend in the Anthropocene
A rabbit-eating tortoise. An ungrateful parakeet. An orphaned baby bat. Three weird, funny and moving tales from the animal kingdom as it knocks heads with the Anthropocene
Encounter – Yellow-throated Bulbul at Rishi Valley
From an apparition to a presence, the endangered Yellow-throated Bulbul regaled us with an appearance on a short birding walk at Rishi Valley.
In Borneo, we met the Colugo – the Flying Lemur that isn’t
Daytime wildlife spotting in the rainforest can be luckless. But then, walking the coastal trail at Bako National Park, we met the extraordinary Colugo aka the Sunda Flying Lemur
Tadoba Diaries – At Telia, the tiger’s yawn gave it away
At Telia, in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, a tiger played hide and seek in the tall sallow grass. Until its yawn gave its presence away
Let the sleeping tiger lie – on meeting the big cat on foot
What might happen when you chance upon a sleeping tiger in the heat of the forest? Especially when you are almost within kissing distance of it? Read on!