Hoopoe and Nilgiris

The movement of the brown capped pygmy woodpecker was interesting to watch, especially the way it pecked off the outer bark of the tree to inspect if any insects were hiding in the crevice. (can be seen in the video) Don't miss the matching pattern of its wings and that on the tree.

Had been to the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu) last month. A beautiful place as far as nature and wildlife is considered.

Bison (Indian Gaur) roam the hilly slopes and are generally calm unless provoked.

Heard that there were wild bears where we stayed and I was lucky enough to get some footage of him lumbering up in the hills.

Sighted a Hoopoe. While reading about it, I came across interesting stories including the fact that Hoopes were thought of as thieves in much of Europe and harbingers of war in Scandinavia

It is nice to see different species of birds basking in the morning sunlight. Be it the tickell's blue flycatcher, or the pied bushchat or any other bird.

I was even happy to see the common sparrow, which is now not so common in the cities.

From far, this looked like one of those vintage porcelain insulators used on telephone lines, but when I zoomed in with my camera I realised that it was a long tailed Shrike

The black winged Kite was looking majestic sitting at the top, but what is spectacular about it is the way it hovers in mid air over open grasslands, probably looking for a prey. Managed to capture that action in video (though there was a slight camera shake considering the fact that the camera was hand held)

Sighted many more birds but the giant squirrel was a first for me. Its huge coffee coloured bushy tail is very mesmerizing.

I found that it was sort of friendly and didn't mind me taking photos while it went about the business of eating the fruit from the tree.

I Heard that they did sight elephants too passing by (twice in the last three years) The vegetation too adds to the attraction for the animals like this bunch of bananas which I clicked in the valley.

Talking of vegetation, I saw this tamarillo for the first time. They say its a type of tomato . Prior to 1967, the fruit was known as the "tree tomato" but the new name tamarillo (which was not the name in Spanish or any other language) was chosen by the New Zealand Tree Tomato Promotions Council in order to distinguish it from the ordinary garden tomato and increase its exotic appeal.

Chamraj Golden Tips

Drove down from Bengaluru to Chamraj Tea Estate in the Nilgiris, a distance of 350 kms.  

Once you cross Mysuru (Mysore) it becomes more scenic, especially when you go past the Bandipur National Park and the Madumalai National Park. 

Chamraj is famous for their “Chamraj Golden Tip”, an extra special quality of Nilgiris tea leaf always fetching a record price. Specially hand plucked Chamraj Golden Tips come from the Chamraj Estate, just west of Conoor, a property belonging to The United Nilgiri Tea Estate Ltd. 

If Chamraj was at the southwest end of Nilgiris  “Kotercherry” or Kotagherry was at the north eastern end, now known as Kotagiri. The place is simply beautiful. 

It was the first table land to be reached by the Europeans when Wish and Kindersly ‘discovered’ the cool of the jungle heights in 1819 while pursuing a band of smugglers. It was their ‘discovery’ that led John Sullivan to establish a home in Kotagiri. Of those Europeans who followed Sullivan and opened the Nilgiris, it was said, “If you live in Conoor, you live till 80, if you live in Ooty you will live till 90, but in Kotagiri you will have to be shot!” He wasn’t shot but, John Erskine lived till he was 100 after he arrived in Kotagiri. 

The tea gardens are lush with tea leaves. On a clear sky you get to see the lovely sunrise and sun set 

Spotted some coffee plants too here. 

If you have the patience you are likely to spot different species of birds 

I saw one land crab who was in two minds about staying put and carry on with his feeding (see video) 

We had those “Chamraj Golden Tip” in one of the tea stalls where it was freshly prepared for us 

and some tasty “parippu wada” after a long time. 

To reach there, we had to pass through Ooty and some of those old structures still look grand. 

The military establishments in this area are well maintained. 

On the way back, while passing through the Madumalai National Park, there was this tusker who gave us a threatening charge as we slowed down (can be seen in the video) He was probably trying to protect this little one in the herd.

Imagination of a child

 I remember the days when I used to play with these wooden toys. I especially remember the tram (which looked something like this) and imagined me as a tram driver, driving all over Bombay. (yes Bombay had trams till 1964)

After all what is a toy? I think it is just an object which, in the hands of a child turns into the actual thing.  The way a child’s imagination soars with a toy is unimaginable. So when a child sits on this rocking horse, he gets himself transported to faraway places, fighting gallant wars, saving damsels in distress. . . . . .  the possibilities are endless, which only a child can imagine.

Saw the display of these toys last week while driving down from Bangalore to the Nilgiris.  On the way is a small town by the name of Channapatna which is famous for its wooden toys dating back to many generations.

Now they have come up with many more fancy stuff, like these wooden flower vase which is bound to have some international interest.

A plethora of musical instruments

and artists who play them

I have no idea how an abacus works so I wonder if this is a real one as I see only nine beads in some rows.

These squirrels (and the penguin) with an articulate body is a work of art.

Somebody has come up with this saving bank made of wood in a unique shape.

Are these Flamenco dancers?

Car seat cover with wooden beads

With a choice of so many toys, I observed a child picking up a colourful plastic toy (made in China)

The toys of Channapatna are made of wood and coloured with vegetable dyes. They are cost effective and safe for children to play with, provided parents encourage them.

It is not surprising that Michele Obama was impressed with the toys at Channapatna and bought some to be taken back to White House as mementoes.

The next time I pass by this town, I will make it a point to go into the interiors and visit some factories where these toys are made.

Sunset at the Nilgiris.

A three minute video showing more toys: