Bits of my Childhood

 Monsoon changes Kerala's tropical landscape from simply-green to rain-drenched glossy green.. The rainy season sees moss and ferns cropping up everywhere, the lush green moss clinging on damp walls and creeks while tiny droplets of rain caught in between the moss shimmers in the sunlight..

 During those rainy days, when we kids were not allowed to play outside, simple pleasures like plucking spores out of the moss and using it as a sword to fight with friends, made up for our otherwise overcast inactive evenings. And the loser is the person whose spore-head gets cut off  while interlocking and tugging  the spores.. I spotted these moss on our compound wall, when I went home during Onam.. And it struck me suddenly that it's been a really long time since I even noticed them or had a real sword fight...

Party on the Papaya tree

The cacophony outside drew me to the windows. Behold! On the Papaya tree, a noisy party was going on. I saw the female spotted koel feasting on the golden papayas. Soon an Indian tree-pie flew in to join the noisy party. It kept a skeptic eye on me, as it relished on the fruity delight. I clicked a few pics and left them to a peaceful feast. Half an hour later, I came back to find a lone male koel perched precariously on the tree, finishing the last morsels of the fruit...

Papayas when they ripen, are party-time for birds. Our neighbouring house has many papaya trees in their backyard. And when the fruit ripens, I will pray fervently that the neighbours shouldn't notice the ripened fruit and pluck it away :-) Otherwise, I will miss my golden bird-watching opportunity.

King of Good Times

Kingfishers are friendly birds. They are neither scared by humans, nor by crows who generally bully the rest of bird community.This one actually posed for my pics. It tilted it's head and looked at me through it's gleaming eyes.

Fiery Dragon Flies

These dragon flies were clicked by my ever enthusiastic Mom, who was trying to learn how to use TZ4. She wants to learn all new gadgets and tells, "Dont make me an outdated old lady". Kudos to you Amma!!!!