Author Archives: rahulalvares
Click on the pics to load them in higher resolution The bizarre and highly camouflaged caterpillar!
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Nilgiri flycatcher photographed in Munnar Grey headed canary flycatcher photographed in Munnar Blue throated flycatcher photographed in Thattekad (male) (female) Black and orange flycatcher photographed in Ooty (male) (female)
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Like a cormorant the darter fully submerges itself when hunting for fish. Unlike a cormorant however, the darter keeps its body submerged even when it surfaces. Only its long snake … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Length females up to 35 cm. Males 10 cm less The Indian flap shell turtle is a very comical looking creature. Its neck when fully extended resembles a snake and … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Stream ruby (Rhinocypha bisignata),is a species of damselfly belonging to the the family Chlorocyphidae (stream jewels). It is endemic to the India and is found near streams, especially forest streams … Continue reading
Blue faced Malkhoa Click on the pics to load them in high resolution
Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Average length: 2.5 feet Eighteen years ago, at two in the morning, my dad and I were walking along the dark deserted beach of Morjim. We had enlisted the help of Jonny—a local boy from … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution The clipper is a fast-flying butterfly. It usually flies with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal and often glide between bouts … Continue reading
Black shouldered Kite Click on the pics to load them in high resolution These small kites are migrant visitors to Goa. Getting a shot of one sitting on an electric wire is easy. The kites will often sit on wires … Continue reading
For high resolution images click on the images themselves Three species of crocodiles live in India; the Gharial, the Saltwater crocodile, and the Mugger. The Mugger or the Marsh water crocodile is the most widely distributed of the three and … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution There are over 5800 described species of jumping spiders in the world! That makes it the largest family of spiders with about 13% of all species. The one below has … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution The Indian golden oriole was originally considered to be a subspecies of the Eurasian golden oriole. But considering recent information on morphology, plumage, and calls it is now established as … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Average length: 7-14 feet The Indian Rock python I’m called to rescue is usually guilty of entering chicken coups and swallowing our egg machines. Bigger ones will take larger animals … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution The lime butterfly or Papilio demoleus is a widespread species of swallowtail butterfly. But unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail.
Click on the pics to load them in better detail. Coppersmith barbets are common birds in Goa. Yet they are not easy birds to photograph since they tend to sit on the topmost branches of the tallest trees when they … Continue reading
Click on the pic to load it in higher resolution. The first time I ever laid eyes on a Green keelback was was back in 1995. I was training to handle non-venomous snakes at the Pune snake park and the … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution The Jezebel is a common species of butterfly which often flies high up in the canopy and usually comes lower down only to feed on nectar in flowers. Due to … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Flame throated bulbul Grey headed bulbul White browed bulbul Yellow browed bulbul Red whiskered bulbul
for higher res images click on the pics themselves. Nature is at times frustratingly unpredictable. Consider the situation I found myself in one early morning at Cotigao wildlife sanctuary in Goa. I was out birding and had my head tilted … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution At an overall body size of 20 cms the Giant golden orb-weaver (Nephila pilipes) is one of the largest spiders in the world. Only females however grow to this size. … Continue reading
My favourite spot for spotting Marsh Harriers is at the Paithona stream. During the dry season on an average day, if I spend about an hour there anywhere between 9 am and noon, I’m almost certain to see one. Marsh … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Average length: 5-7 feet. Growing to lengths of over eight feet, Ratsnakes can make for truly impressive specimens. Most people are unaware though that ratsnakes are ‘scary cats’ themselves. When … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them larger The Malabar tree nymph is a large butterfly that usually stays high in the forest canopy. The butterfly has a delicate, and ethereal quality to its flight and it glides a lot … Continue reading
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution Female Grey fronted green pigeon Male Male Orange breasted green pigeon
Click on the pics to load them in high resolution I have a fun job. I rescue snakes for a living! Most of the snakes I rescue are from people’s houses around my home-town. A cobra on a roof, a … Continue reading