Salton Sea, CA
Bird of the Day: Burrowing Owl
Salton Sea, CA
The Largest Team Sport – Snake Boat Race
Snake Boat races are the largest team sport in the world. These races integrate team spirit, adventure and a great sense of rhythm. A number of small boats also participate in these events. Usually, a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers, and 100-125 oarsmen, who row in unison according to the fast rhythm of the racing songs. The songs sung by the helmsman is known as ‘Vanchipaatu’. Boat races take place seasonally. The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race in Jun-Jul at Alappuzha, the Aranmula Boat Race in Aug-Sep at Aranmula, the Payippad Jalotsvam during the Onam festival in Aug-Sep at Alappuzha, and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in the second Saturday of August at Punnamada Lake-Alappuzha. The following photographs were taken at the Payippad Jalotsvam Boat Race by Mr. Joshi Manjummel during the last Onam festival in August-2011.
Photo by Mr. Joshi Manjummel at Payippad, Alapuzza
Losar, the Tibetan New Year
Guest Author: Carl Zainaldin
Losar, the Tibetan New Year which usually falls sometime in February, is celebrated by Tibetans all around the world. Lo means year, and sar means new. The Tibetans use a lunar calendar, and Losar falls on the first day of the new month, marked by the first new moon of the year.
Losar lasts for fifteen days, with the celebrations occurring on the first three days. To bring in the New Year, Tibetans dance, sing, drink chaang (a Tibetan beer that is served warm), and bake special goods such as khapsays (dough fried into butter and made into special shapes and various flavors).
Losar is a time for people make pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist temples and monasteries. Monasteries perform Losar pujas (rituals) which are popular events for Tibetans to attend. These pujas include ritual dancing, reciting Buddhist scripture, and performing offerings to certain deities, all of which are supposed to be auspicious activities to bring in the New Year. Continue reading
Holi Trifecta
Our last in a series of three tributes to The Guardian for their photographic prowess at capturing and educating about Holi. Go visit their site to see larger versions of these amazing photos. Meanwhile, stay tuned tomorrow. Continue reading
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) – Queen of Herbs
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) is an erect multi-branched shrub that grows up to 30-60cms in height which in Kerala is commonly known as Tulsi. The holy basil is highly valued for Hindu religious traditions and also for its medicinal properties in Ayurveda.
Crepuscular Forest
Elusive, elemental, and extremely beautiful – this natural phenomenon is breathtaking and actually quite simple to explain. Commonly known as light beams, crepuscular rays are caused by an effect similar to Rayleigh scattering, and are rare to see in a natural environment save near the twilight peripheries – hence the name. Steam, smoke, and dust during the rest of the day makes these beams visible to us from all angles, but short of these mediums, angle and hour are the most significant factors for seeing them.
“You-er Than You!”
Photo: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
A Dr. Seuss centennial had come upon me a few days ago in an “almost missed it moment”. In many ways the consumate “ad man” who became one of the most beloved children’s book authors never actually changed careers. Nearly each and every one of his books continues to reach the pinacle of salesmanship, but not for a product. With joy, wit and often irony, they sold the love of reading, imagination and exploration.
Really, Nike?
Quinn O’Neill, someone we have never encountered in writing (or otherwise) before, posted that ad and some reflections about it on the dependably superb 3 Quarks Daily. Reading those reflections is worth a lot more than the five minutes it will take. On this site we very rarely engage in outrage for reasons we have not fully articulated (yet); but a well-crafted second thought on what might otherwise seem harmless entertainment begs the question: Continue reading
Plan B
My past posts reveal my desire to be directly involved with sustainable farming. I plan and hope to achieve this, but as both the global population and the demand for land, space, and food rise, I recognize that being flexible with this dream may minimize any potential disappointment. Comparatively, as much as I seem to “fly by the seat of my pants,” I like to plan. I come close to peace when I at least have some general structure to my life. So with this in mind, I began to brainstorm back-up plans to having my own farm.
In this search and planning excursion, I read an article and learned of vertical farming. Dickson Despommier of Columbia University and his students researched this urban farming phenomenon and hypothesized that such projects could solve our global food insecurity problems.
I am unsure of its feasibility, but in my characteristic optimism, I believe it has potential. Continue reading
Holier Than Holi?
After noting several reasons, big and small, that we trust The Guardian, I kept looking at those photos. When I showed Milo, as usual he already knew much more about the topic of Holi than I (not a major feat in this case because until seeing those photos in The Guardian I knew precisely zero about Holi), so today when those photos caught my eye again it occurred to me that The Guardian might just have some more. Continue reading
Bird of the Day: Red-headed Woodpecker
Point Pelee, Ontario
Nature Walk: March 05, 2012
Elephant
Mr. Asish Choudry, the tour escort from a recent group at Cardamom County shared some photos taken this morning on the Nature Walk at Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Guardians
A trusted source of information, ideas, news, and more — the website of The Guardian is always worth a visit. Today is no exception, but above (click here to go to the original) is an exceptional example of its visual contribution to our sense of wonder about India’s diverse communities and how they worship.
Our Gang, Thevara (February Favorites)
The passerby, known as a neighbor by now, aka something like “perambulating portrait person,” senses a few patterns: one youngster, perhaps four years old, is a gigglebox at all times; another, same age, is the village notification siren (SAIPE!); and a few always mix their moves like karate chop Bollywood extras. Continue reading
Bird of the Day: Indian Roller
Parambikulum Tiger Reserve, Kerala
Gavi Sightings: March 04, 2012
Mr & Mrs. Piyush, our guests at Cardamom County, shared photos from their early morning excursion to Gavi this morning. Continue reading
Lucretian Illumination
In a post some months ago I described the unexpected, but seemingly preordained, encounter with the concept of “swerve” in an article this man had written. Then today, this reference to Moby Dick and in particular the words “high time” triggered an interest in hearing The Swerve‘s author speak about those ideas. The five minute wonder above hit the spot. Continue reading
High Time
…Some years ago — never mind how long precisely — having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off — then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can… Continue reading
Periyar Sightings: March 03, 2012
Mr.Gill, a guest at Cardamom County, shared some photos from his visit at the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
I had the pleasure of seeing the giant elephants at a very close distance. We feel very fortunate to have had these experiences. – Mr.Gill
A herd of Elephants grazing at the Periyar Tiger Reserve
Credit Where Due
The Atlantic Monthly‘s website has had a link to the text of a speech from last year (click the image to the left to go to the source), with some notable observations:
Genuinely sustainable farming maintains the resilience of the entire ecosystem by encouraging a rich level of biodiversity in the soil, in its water supply, and in the wildlife — the birds, insects, and bees that maintain the health of the whole system. Sustainable farming also recognizes the importance to the soil of planting trees; of protecting and enhancing water-catchment systems; of mitigating, rather than adding to, climate change.
