Lady Loten's Sunbird

Description

     The Loten's Sunbird, Long-billed Sunbird or Maroon-breasted Sunbird, (Cinnyris lotenius) is a sunbird endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Its long bill distinguishes it from the similar Purple Sunbird that is found in the same areas and also tends to hover at flowers.The name of the bird commemorates Joan Gideon Loten, the Dutch governor to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) who commissioned the artist Pieter Cornelis de Bevere to illustrate the natural history of the region from living and collected specimens.

Behavior, feeding and habitat

    Like other sunbirds, it feeds on small insects and builds characteristic hanging nests. The species is named after a colonial Dutch governor of Ceylon, Joan Gideon Loten. Loten's Sunbirds are small, only 12–13 cm long. The long bill separates this from the syntopic Purple Sunbird. The wings are browner and the maroon breast band is visible on the male under good lighting conditions. The males have pectoral tufts of yellow mixed with crimson that are used in displays. The adult male is mainly glossy purple with a grey-brown belly. The female has yellow-grey upperparts and yellowish underparts, but lacks Purple's faint supercilium. The call is distinctive buzzy zwick zwick and they are also very active often bobbing their head while foraging. They long down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, are adaptations to their nectar feeding. The bill lengths vary across populations with the longest bills are found on the east of Peninsular India and in Sri Lanka. The song of the male is a long repeated wue-wue-wue... with the last notes accelerated. The song has been likened to the call of the Cinereous Tit.The males may sing from the tops of bare trees or telegraph wires.The male in winter has an eclipse plumage with a yellowish underside resembling that of the female but having a broad central streak of dark metallic violet from the chin to the belly. The plates by de Bevere included illustrations of many bird species and when Loten went back to England, he loaned these to various naturalists including George Edwards(1694–1773) who used them his Gleanings of Natural History. 

     

     Found only in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. The main region is along the Western Ghats and into the southern peninsula. There are scattered records from central India and into the northern Eastern Ghats north until Orissa. Race hindustanicus, southern Peninsular populations of which have a slightly shorter bill, is found in India while the nominate race is found in Sri Lanka. They are locally common in both forests, cultivation. They are also common in urban gardens and in some areas such as the city of Madras, they are commoner than other sunbirds.The species is resident and no seasonal movements are known. While foraging for nectar they hover at flowers a lot unlike the Purple Sunbirds that prefers to perch beside flowers. Like other sunbirds, they also feed on small insects and spiders.The breeding season is November to March in India, February to May in Sri Lanka. The nest is built by the female which may however be accompanied by the male.Two eggs are laid in a suspended nest in a tree. The eggs are incubated only by the female for about 15 days. The nest is a bag of webs, bark and caterpillar frass. The nest is built by the female and young are fed by both parents. Nests may sometimes be reused for a second brood. It often builds its nest within the nests of "social spiders" (Eresidae). Salim Ali notes that the species is exceptional among Indian sunbirds in not having cobwebs on the exterior.

     I was waiting for a Common Mormon Butterfly near the hibiscus plant in our garden, when this tiny beauty appeared on the wire nearby calling loudly. I felt blessed for the moment, as I was very close to this sunbird and was as far as 7 feet away from this bird. It was although surprised, but looking at my paused state, it forgot my presence and continued its routine nectar collection. I was star stuck on seeing it so close and I stood still without breathing for about 15 secs, after which I raised my camera slowly and captured this beauty on wire. The above picture was taken while it was tasting the nectar and when it took a break from its routine work. I was handholding my Canon EOS 7D SLR, with Canon EF 300mm F4L IS USM + Tamron 1.4x extender, all covered in my self made lens coat which helped my camera to escape the bird's eyes and led me to these beautiful captures..

Calotes Garden Lizard

Description

     Calotes is a lizard genus in the draconine clade of the family Agamidae, containing 24 species. Some species are known as forest lizards, others as "bloodsuckers" due to their red heads, and yet others (namely C. versicolor) as garden lizards. They are native to South Asia, southern China, mainland Southeast Asia and Ambon. Additionally, C. versicolor has beenintroduced to Florida (USA), Borneo, Sulawesi, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Oman.^[2] The greatest species richness of the genus is from the Western Ghats, northeast India, Myanmarand Sri Lanka.

Behavior, feeding and habitat

     Calotes is distinguished from related genera in having uniform size dorsal scales, and lacking a fold of skin extending between the cheek and shoulder, and in having proportionately stronger limbs than Pseudocalotes. Compared to Bronchocela, Calotes have a proportionately shorter tail and limbs. Calotes as we know it today was classified by Moody (1980) prior to which all of the above mentioned genera were included in this genus.

     The genus is still a heterogeneous group that may be divided into the C. versicolor and C. liocephalus groups. The former occurs through most of South Asia and further east. All species in this group have their dorsal and lateral scales directed upward. The latter is restricted to the southern Western Ghats and Sri Lanka. All species in this group have their scales directed back, or up and down, or down only. Whether further splitting is necessary or whether the groups constitute subgenera of a monophyletic Calotes remains to be studied.

     A very nice morning of birding, began on Gowri Ganesh Festivity, which is believed to be a great time to start new things. After returning from Mulki birding, we observed this near the highway. We are a great team with me, Ajith Kamath and Ranganath Bhat, committed to birding, almost every Sunday, which helps us to improve our skills on photography and we love to learn always..

     

Thorn-mimic Tree hopper

Description 

     Treehoppers (more precisely typical treehoppers to distinguish them from the Aetalionidae) and thorn bugs are members of the family Membracidae, a group of insects related to thecicadas and the leafhoppers. About 3,200 species of treehoppers in over 400 genera are known. They are found on all continents except Antarctica; only three species are known from Europe.They are best known for their enlarged and ornate pronotum, which most often resembles thorns, apparently to aid camouflage. In some species, the pronotum grows to a horn-like extension, but even more bizarre and hard-to-describe shapes are also found.Thorn bugs, due to their unusual appearance, have long interested naturalists. Distinguishing males from females is accomplished only by looking at the male genitalia. Individual treehoppers usually live for only a few months.The specialised pronotum (or helmet) may not be simply an expansion of the prothoracic sclerite, but a fused pair of dorsal appendages of the first thoracic segment. They may beserial homologues of insect wings, which are dorsal appendages of the second and/or third thoracic segments. Evidence for this theory includes the development of the helmet, which arises as a pair of appendages attached to each side of the dorsal prothorax by an articulation with muscles and a flexible membrane that allow it to be mobile. Also, the same genesare involved in development of the helmet and the wings.

Behavior, feeding and habitat

     Treehoppers pierce plant stems with their beaks, and feed upon sap. The immatures can frequently be found on herbaceous shrubs and grasses, whereas the adults more often frequent hardwood tree species. Excess sap becomes concentrated as honeydew, which often attracts ants. Some species have a well-developed ant mutualism, and these species are normally gregarious, as well, which attracts more ants. The ants provide protection from predators. Treehoppers mimic thorns to prevent predators from spotting them.Others have formed mutualisms with wasps, such as Parachartergus apicalis.Even geckos form mutualistic relations with treehoppers, with whom they communicate by small vibrations of the abdomen.Eggs are laid by the female with her saw-like ovipositor in slits cut into the cambium or live tissue of stems, though some species lay eggs on top of leaves or stems. The eggs may be parasitised by wasps, such as the tiny fairyflies (Mymaridae) and Trichogrammatidae. The females of some membracid species sit over their eggs to protect them from predators and parasites, and may buzz their wings at intruders. The females of some gregarious species work together to protect each other's eggs. In at least one species, Publilia modesta, mothers serve to attract ants when nymphs are too small to produce much honeydew. Some other species make feeding slits for the nymphs.Like the adults, the nymphs also feed upon sap, and unlike adults, have an extensible anal tube that appears designed to deposit honeydewaway from their bodies. The tube appears to be longer in solitary species rarely attended by ants. It is important for sap-feeding bugs to dispose of honeydew, as otherwise it can become infected with sooty moulds. Indeed, one of the evident benefits of ants for Publilia concavanymphs is that the ants remove the honeydew and reduce such fungal growth.Most species are innocuous to humans, although a few are considered minor pests, such as Umbonia crassicornis (a thorn bug), the three-cornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus), and the buffalo treehopper (Stictocephala bisonia), which has been introduced to Europe. The cowbug Oxyrachis tarandus has been recorded as a pest of Withania somnifera in India.The diversity of treehoppers has been rather little researched, and their systematic arrangement is tentative. It seems three main lineages can be distinguished; the Endoiastinae are the most ancient treehoppers, still somewhat resembling cicadas. Centrotinae form the second group; they are somewhat more advanced but the pronotum still does not cover the scutellum in almost all of these. The Darninae, Heteronotinae, Membracinaeand Smiliinae contain the most apomorphic treehoppers.Several proposed subfamilies seem to be paraphyletic. Centronodinae and Nicomiinae might need to be merged into the Centrotinae to result in a monophyletic group.

     A very nice living being almost looks like a Thorn on plants, when closely examined, its the Thorn Mimic Tree hopper, as very tiny insect. I observed this when I was doing Macro photography of Blue Bottlefly, in the adjacent plant. My Macro is cost effective and a smart Macro, as I solely do Extreme Close-ups with my Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II lens with 24mm, 12mm, 36mm extension tubes combined, with a Lens reversal ring, which gives me equivalent magnification of a Macro lens, so why buy a Macro lens paying a hefty price??? In addition to the improvement in my tolerance levels and patience, these microscopic beauties have even enhanced my IQ, for which I am always thankful to Nature and I am happy 2 present the best of Nature to our friends and followers across the globe.

Lynx Spider

Description, behavior, feeding and habitat

     Lynx spiders are the members of the family Oxyopidae. They all are hunting spiders that spend their lives on plants, flowers and shrubs. At least one species has been identified as exhibiting social behaviour.There are several genera and they tend to differ in their habits and adaptations. For example most Oxyopes and Hamataliwa species are small to medium in size; they tend to be drab and especially the latter tend to be ambush hunters in ways resembling the crab spiders (Thomisidae). Some occupy flowers and wait for pollinating insects, whereas others lie in wait on plant stalks or bark. The Peucetia species on the other hand, commonly are larger, vivid green, and rangy; they are active runners and leapers. Oxyopidae in general rely on keen eyesight in stalking, chasing, or ambushing prey, and also in avoiding enemies. Six of their eight eyes are arranged in a hexagon-like pattern, a characteristic that identifies them as members of the family Oxyopidae. The other two eyes are smaller and generally situated in front and below the other six.

     The Oxyopidae also have spiny legs, and in many species those legs, augmented by the spines, seem to be used as a sort of catching-basket in trapping flying insects.Common genera in the United States include Oxyopes — the common lynx spiders — and Peucetia — the green lynx spiders.Some members of the genus Oxyopes are abundant enough to be important in agricultural systems as biological control agents. This is especially true of the striped lynx spider (Oxyopes salticus).A member of the genus Tapinillus is remarkable as being one of the few social spiders, living in colonies.

    Amazing moments I experienced to learn from this Lynx spider, its patience, perseverance and tolerance in handling its prey. The last capture, including all photographs are full-frame and as captured from the camera, with almost no-cropping done on them. My Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens has been very handy for these Close-ups or Macro of the Lynx Spider and many tiny creatures of nature which I often find in my morning nature walk in our garden. I was also using Extension Tubes, 12mm, 24mm and 36mm to get the last image, so much closer than what can be seen by a normal human eye. My Gadget combination also included the Lens Reversal Ring, which helps to get spectacular magnification of tiny subjects, although my Camera body was a Canon EOS 7D SLR, a wonderful body to hand-hold for Macro photography.

Blue Bottlefly

Description

    The blue bottle fly or bottlebee (Calliphora vomitoria) is a common blow-fly found in most areas of the world and is the type species for the genus Calliphora. Similar species include the green bottle fly, a close relative that can be distinguished by its bright green metallic colouring. Blue bottle fly adults feed on nectar, while the larvae feed on carcasses of dead animals. Adults are also pollinators to some flowers with strong odor.It is 10–14 millimetres (0.4–0.6 in) long, slightly larger than a housefly. The head and thorax are dull gray and the abdomen is bright metallic blue with black markings. Its body and legs are covered with black bristle-like hair. It has short, clubbed antennae and 4 tarsi per leg. The eyes are red and the wings are transparent. The legs and antennae are black and pink. The chest is bright purple and has spikes to protect themselves against other flies. These insects like to fly in packs in order to detect possible prey more efficiently. If one fly detects food, it will disperse a pheromone which will alert the others to the meal.

Behavior, feeding and habitat

     A female blue bottle fly lays her eggs where she feeds, usually in decaying meat, garbage, or feces. Pale whitish larvae, commonly called maggots, soon hatch from the eggs and immediately begin feeding on the decomposing matter where they were hatched. After a few days of feeding, they are fully grown. At that time they will crawl away to a dry place where they can burrow into soil or similar matter to pupate into tough brown cocoons. After two or three weeks, the adults emerge to mate, beginning the cycle again. During cold weather, pupae and adults can hibernate until higher temperatures revive them.They are pollinators of some flowers with a strong odor such as skunk cabbage and goldenrod.

     Its truely a learning experience watching Houseflies like the Blue Bottlefly, which perch on our garden on plant twigs and leaves. Morning, mid-afternoon and late-afternoon are the common times when I spotted the Blue bottlefly in our garden. I was experimenting Macro Photography with my new Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Lens, mounted on my Canon EOS 7D SLR, with a 12mm, 24mm and 36mm extension tubes. Some of the images are captured at a distance of 4 cms away from the Fly, with the help of Lens reversal ring, which gives extraordinary magnification with most ordinary lenses. Watching flies, grasshoppers have enhanced my patience and have helped me to control my breath, in order to stabilize the camera, which I worked hand-held, with a Pop-up flash and a tissue paper diffuser to diffuse the flash.

Blue Marsh Hawk Female

Description

     Blue Marsh Hawk or Orthetrum glaucum is an Asian dragonfly species, common across much of tropical and subtropical Asia, and capable of thriving in disturbed habitats.A medium sized dragonfly with bluish black thorax and blue tail. 

Size: Male: Abdomen: 29-35mm, Hind wing: 33-40mm.Female: Abdomen:28- 32mm, Hind wing: 32-37mm. Male:Face is pale olivaceous brown in young adults changing to glossy black in old individuals. Eyes: Dark green and is capped with reddish brown. Thorax: In old individuals it is dark dull blue or black with fine black blue or black hair. Legs: Black. Wings: Transparent, with extreme base tinted with dark amber yellow. In old adults, wings are smoky brown. Wing spot: Dark reddish brown. Abdomen: Bulged at segments 1-3. Segments 1- 8 are pruinosed pale blue and the remaining segments black. 

Female:Thorax: Olivaceous above bordered by a broad reddish brown lateral stripe. Lateral side is reddish brown with two yellowish-white narrow stripes. Legs: Black externally and yellow internally. Wings: Similar to that of males. Abdomen: Reddish brown with a broad greenish yellow middorsal stripe. Segments 8-10 are black middorsally.

Behavior, feeding and habitat

   

     

It is commonly found in the marshes associated with forest streams, plantations and canals. They breed in marshes. They are seen actively flying in May to October and are widely distributed in the Oriental region. It breeds in ponds, drains, ditches and other open lentic habitats.

     Brightly yellow-ish dragonfly caught my attention in the garden in mid-day, when it had just stopped raining and the sun came out of the clouds to spread warmth. It almost stayed static and gave me these many poses, some of which are full-frame and others are cropped to 1/4th of the frame. My Canon EF 300mm F4L IS USM + Tamron 1.4x extender on my Canon EOS 7D SLR, is a great tool for close-ups of dragonflies and butterflies. My Aperture was f13, ISO 1250, EV -2, with a handsome shutter speed, enough to freeze any movements that this dragonfly may make..