Vijaysudar's Blog

Rhinoceros Hornbill:

vijaysudar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:44:59 +0000

The Rhinoceros hornbill(Buceros rhinoceros) is a large, cavity-nesting bird with black plumage, a white abdomen, and a long white tail crossed by a wide black band. Named for the upturned casque or “horn” that sits atop their giant colorful beaks, the males and females look alike except for their eye color (M-red, F-white).

Interesting Facts:-

After the female lays 1-2 eggs, the pair uses mud and fruit to seal the female inside the tree cavity. The male passes food to her through a tiny hole while the female sits on the eggs. Thirty days after the chicks hatch, the female breaks out of the cavity and reseals the entrance. The chicks remain in the nest until they are about 80 days old.

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Is it true that the Hippo sweats blood?

vijaysudar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:04:06 +0000

No, the hippo’s skin exudes a red, oily liquid that keeps the skin moist and protected when it is out of water. The liquid has lead to a myth that the hippo sweats blood.

I know it’s too close a shot to be comfortable to view. These Hippo images are not closely cropped or resized. It’s the camera ready original size. Taken at Mysore Zoo; the Hippo suddenly appeared before me from no where. I was focusing on a far off Hippo. It took me by surprise and clicked a few shots with my mounted 55-250 mm lens from 5 ft distance. Of course I was other side of concrete fence and safe. You can see the blood like fluid oozing out from the head. In fact I noticed it only after viewing on my computer and was curious to know and found the given below results from the net. Please view large. (View in large size to see the blood like substance oozing out on head in the first image.)

Some Interesting facts:

Hippopotamus amphibious means “river horse.”

The hippo’s yawn is not a sign of sleepiness or boredom but is actually a threat gesture, displaying long, thick, razor-sharp canine teeth, or tusks, with which it is capable of biting a small boat in half. Being fearlessly protective of their turf and young, hippos have killed hundreds of people in Africa – more than any other wild animal.

The ears and nostrils – located at the top of the head – close automatically when the animal is under water. It has practically no hair, and its smooth skin is quite delicate.

The tusk-like incisors and canines grow continuously. They are ivory, valued even more highly than an elephant’s because they do not turn yellow with age. George Washington’s false teeth were not made of wood, as is commonly believed, but were carved from the tusks of a hippopotamus.

One young is born at a time, after a gestation of around 230 days. Births usually occur in months of heavy rainfall, but can occur year-round. Young hippos will also bask on their mother’s back. A group of hippos is called a “bloat.”

All my images are copyrighted and I own the rights and use/copy/edit or use in any form any where in internet / print media without written consent from me is prohibited

Dove or Pigeon?

vijaysudar — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:11:45 +0000

There is no true scientific difference. They both belong to the family Columbidae, including some 300 species of near passerine birds, but there is an important difference in how the two terms are used colloquially.

The difference between doves and pigeons is mostly size. Doves are generally sleeker and smaller with pointed tails and shorter legs, while pigeons are larger and stockier with rounded tails. The common urban pigeon is also known as a “Rock Dove.”

The dove is a universal symbol of peace and innocence. In ancient Greek myth it was a bird of Athens which represented the renewal of life.

Taken at East coast road beach, Chennai Tamilnadu, India.

All my images are copyrighted and I own the rights and use/copy/edit or use in any form any where in internet without written consent from me is prohibited

KOI the colorful & Human friendly Fishes:-

vijaysudar — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:37:09 +0000

You know these Beautiful and colorful Koi fishes are known to outlive their owners. Koi fish have been known to live up to 50 years under the right conditions. The record for the oldest fish is held by a Japanese Koi owner, was 233 years old when it died!!

In fact, these KOI fishes are often passed down from generation to generation, as they are valuable heirlooms. Taken at Wonderla, water theme park Bangalore, India.

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A vision with a task:-

vijaysudar — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:43:31 +0000

If the eye does not want to see, neither light nor glasses will help

Spectacles/reading glasses always makes a wonderful subject for photography. Anyone with photography as hobby must try different shots with specs so as to bring out the light, reflections, refrections and the amazing designs and patterns it produces at times while trying different compositions. I always enjoy shooting this subject; Hope you like it too!

All my images are copyrighted and I own the rights and use/copy/edit or use in any form any where in internet without written consent from me is prohibited