Finally after many a month I walked over to Nizhal's TTUF today morning.
Crossing the canal, filled with water hyacinth and a whole flock of cattle get, with many in breeding plumage.
As I Sood and watched, a drongo swooped and picked an insect on the move. On the right bank, a mongoose moved purposefully through the undergrowth. A white-throated kingfisher, a flash of blue and a rattling call.
I was happy to see the trees all grown and green! The Crepe Myrtles and Arjuna's were in fruit, the Palash was in abundant green as also the Garlic Pear tree - in March, it was in flower. the Mimusops was in fruit. Has it been so long since I visited?
17th March 2024 - Crateva adinsonii - had dropped all its leaves, and a few flowers stood out, in full glory.
As Chitra and I walked along, a dog strolled past, followed by a peacock, if you please, - moving like a ballet dancer lightly and 'springily' into the far foliage.
Quite aptly, the peacock flowers were in bloom
Looks like the park has an active night life - and I do not mean the snakes and other creature - which one would think would be a deterrent - but it appears not - Lust overcomes such fears I guess.
I initially thought this was Metanastria hyrtaca caterpillars, but I think they are actually Eupterote mollifera caterpillars.
Seen on our drumstick tree.
They were all crowded on the bark of the tree, in the shade in the day - when I first saw them.
8th September - Tree 1 5pm. Not much movement seen.
9th September Tree 2 - they were alive and one the move. Seemed smaller than the other tree caterpillars. I could not locate the caterpillars on Tree 1.
I will keep a watch on the tree - Hopefully, the caterpillars do nt completely defoliate the tree. According to the literature on the internet, these moths scrape and gnaw at the bark as well as the leaves. I did not see any leaves eaten up.
More as and when I observe.
12th September
Looks like both sets of Caterpillars are on one tree now!
Hordes of cormorants fishing Sanjiv and Chitra birding Umesh joins and does the wowing Whimbrels and Curlews stalking Sagarika Thick Knee Spotting Cat's Claw flowers dazzling Fiddler Crabs emerging White browed bulbuls calling
