snakes

My videos, thus far, under the title of ‘Natural World’, were delving into one particular species. I do intend to continue those.In parallel, am starting a series titled ‘Natural History Moments’ which will be about many interesting wildlife encounters that I have had. Green Vine Snakes are amazingly camouflaged against the lush green outgrowth of the forests of Western Ghats. They are all about stealth when it comes to hunting. Here’s an encounter of mine with an individual in the forests of Agumbe....

Heat, or the warmth, is an imperative element for any living being’s survival on this planet. It is what drives the motors in an animal’s body, aiding it to go on about its worldly agenda, be it feeding, mating, defending oneself or just plain, moving around. Warm blooded animals are able to maintain a constant body temperature, irrespective of their surroundings. This keeps them going even in relatively colder environments. The ones with cold blood, on the other hand, need to gather heat after being in a colder area for a long time and the opposite is true as well....

In nature, the predator-prey dynamics is always wonderful to witness, be it a tiger bringing down a sambar or a gaur, a pack of wild dogs chasing down their prey, on a smaller scale, a jumping spider stealthily stalking its prey, or a snake, snapping up its prey with its lightning fast strike. All these are true adrenaline pumping moments. Moments which get etched in the viewer’s mind and stay on for a long time to come....

Another tryst with Agumbe, the rainforest paradise……,just couldn’t resist the temptation of visiting this amazing place again. Joined Darter for yet another photography workshop to this place, was wonderful….. True to its reputation, it was pouring and pouring, like there wasn’t going to be a tomorrow. Lots and lots of rain, lots of leeches, lots of getting soaking wet with absolutely no concept of ‘being dry’….and amongst all these, lots and lots of fun, learning and photographing…....