Flora and fauna shot by Bangalore-based amateur photographer Mahesh Srinivas..
Mahesh Srinivas is a Bangalore-based amateur photographer who likes nature and landscape photography. His interests in nature and photography were sparked during long hikes and runs in the beautiful trails of Northern California. Mahesh is working to document the green heritage of Bangalore along with Vijay Thiruvady, who conducts the Lalbagh Walks on Sundays. By day, Mahesh works in a major technology firm.
Below are some of the flora and fauna shot by Mahesh that you can spot if you care to look around.
Clockwise from Top left: 1)Flowers of the Cannonball Tree - Lalbagh
There are several Cannonball trees (Couroupita guianensis) in Lalbagh. The name of the tree derives from its fruits which resemble cannonballs, and cluster around the main trunk.
2)Snake feeding on fish – Lalbagh Lake
One early morning after a run in Lalbagh, I fetched my camera from the car and headed towards the lake. As I got into position to photograph some pond herons, I spied a sudden movement from the side of my eye. I could see something on a lily pad, but I was not able to discern details with the naked eye. Strapping on a telephoto on my camera, I focused in the direction of the lily pad, and saw a Checkered Keelback snake trying to subdue a fish it had probably just caught. I stood there for around 20 minutes, taking pictures of the snake gradually subduing its writhing prey.
3)Three Spotted Owlets on a Spathodea Tree – Lalbagh
One morning, I was rewarded with the sight of three spotted owlets snoozing in the hollow of the spathodea tree near the large rock in Lalbagh. I avoided making eye contact with the birds while setting up the camera gear, but the moment I trained the camera towards the owlets, two of them sat up bolt upright and looked in my direction, while a third continued its snooze. I rapidly shot off a few exposures before the alarmed birds flew away to take refuge deep inside a mango tree close by.
4) Squirrel eating berry of Cluster Fig Tree
At the Westend Hotel is a magnificent Cluster Fig (Ficus glomerata) tree. While photographing the tree one early morning, I spied a squirrel scampering on a branch, stopping at clusters of berries, and examining each berry before deciding whether to feed on it or not. I stepped back a bit and waited a few minutes in order for the critter to get comfortable with my presence. The squirrel came closer to examine a cluster of berries close by, and I got the shot I wanted.
