Sheltering from the rain

 

 

Black Drongo

Laughing Dove

Jungle Babblers (Also called Seven Sisters since they are 

usually found to go around in groups of seven)

A short review: The Hungry Tide. Amitav Ghosh.

The Hungry Tide. Amitav Ghosh.

A very well researched book. Although the setting of the novel is in Lusibari and Garjontola, both fictitious places - the very depiction of tide country (Sundarban, WB) and details pertaining to the environment, the description of people living in the area and the constant fear they are subject to (primarily arising both from crocodiles and tigers) makes one realize that the author has spent a substantial part of his life studying and familiarizing himself with the area.

A mesmerizing paragraph from the novel:
"Then the noise of the storm deepened and another roar made itself heard over the rumbling din of the gale, a noise like that of a cascading waterfall. Stealing a glance through her fingers, Piya glimpsed at something that looked like a wall, hurtling toward them from downriver. It was as if a city block had suddenly begun to move: the river was like pavement lying at its feet, while its crest reared high above, dwarfing the tallest trees. It was a tidal wave sweeping in from the sea; everything in its path disappeared as it came thundering toward them. Piya's mind went blank as disbelief yeilded to recognition. Up to this time there had been no time for terror, no time to absorb the reality of the storm and to think about anything other than staying alive.But now it was if death had announced its approach and there was nothing to do but to wait for its arrival."

Yet another surprising fact is the issue of refugee rehabilitation and the research that went into it including references to articles found in Journal of Asian Studies, theses and unpublished manuscripts validating the historical treatment of the subject. Dolphins have also been studied in some detail and the author's note at the end of the book confirms his communication with world renowned cetologist Professor Helene Marsh of James Cook University.

The references to the writing of Rainer Maria Rilke are well worth yet another investigation -- particularly, for those like me, with little or no exposure to lyricism in German literature.

The Everglades

The Sawgrass Recreation Park in Southern Florida - The Florida Everglades - have a flora and fauna unique to the area. A ride in an air boat over cat tails and saw grass is an experience of a lifetime.

The clear blue sky

Watch out for pythons and alligators!

The common gackle hiding amongst the greenery

And perhaps the greatest attraction of the park is the Gator. Here he comes ... one, two three ....

A brilliant camouflage.

He was following our boat. Stay alert!

A very close look.

The purple gallinule, also known as the "swamp hen" can be seen walking amidst the floating vegetation. 

The metaphysical world of Anne Dillard.

An excerpt: 

Last year I saw three migrating Canada geese flying low over the frozen duck pond where I stood. I heard a heart-stopping blast of speed before I saw them there; I felt the flayed air slap at my face. They thundered across the pond, and back, and back again. I swear I have never seen such speed, such single-mindedness, such flailing of wings. They froze the duck pond as they flew; they rang the air; they disappeared. I think of this now, and my brain vibrates to the blurred bastinado of feathered bone. "Our God shall come" it says in a psalm for Advent, "and shall not keep silence; there shall go before him a consuming fire, and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him." It is the shock I remember. Not only does something come if you wait, but it pours over you like a waterfall, like a tidal wave. You wait in all naturalness without expectation or hope, emptied, translucent, and that which comes rocks and topples you; it will shear, loose, launch, winnow and grind. 

I have gutted on richness and welcome hyssop. This distant silver November sky, these sere branches of trees, shed and bearing their pure and secret colors - this is the real world, not the world gilded and pearled. [...] I am buoyed by a calm and effortless longing, an angled pitch of the will, like the set of the wings of the monarch which climbed a hill by falling still.  

                                          - Anne Dillard, The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

Review of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway

The Old Man and the Sea. Ernest Hemingway.

A story about the pursuit of resilience. An old fisherman has not been 'lucky' at sea. Without a catch for forty days, [and feeling desperate] he decides to take off on his skiff far away into the sea.
Alone. He grapples with loneliness.

"He looked around for the bird now because he would have liked him for company. The bird was gone. You did not stay long, the man thought."

Finally, there is a tug on the bait. Somewhere miles and miles beneath the surface a large fish may have eaten it. He does not know what kind of fish it is, how big it is or even whether he should wait for it. He decides to wait it out. A few days pass without food (except raw fish he catches from the sea such as dolphin and flying fish) and very little water. What follows is a relentless agonizing battle - observing the behavior of a fish, waiting in anticipation for it to tire out and then pull him on board. The soliloquy of the old man sweeps the reader away - for example, when he convinces himself that it is important to take rest, just as perhaps the fish down below needs some rest too.

"Rest now old man, and let him work until your next duty comes. [Pg 76]"

After the battle is won, he realizes the catch is too big for his skiff.
"Then his head started to become a little unclear and he thought, is he bringing me in or am I bringing him in? If I were towing him behind, there would be no question. Nor if the fish were in the skiff, with all dignity gone, there would be no question either. But they were sailing together [the huge marlin had to be fixed up on the side of the skiff] lashed side by side and the old man thought, let him bring me in if it pleases him. I am only better than him through trickery and he meant no harm."

The conclusion that the battle was but won through 'trickery', leaves the reader numb. The notion of what makes one person 'better' than another raises philosophical questions on morality, values and existence.

And the climax " 'But man is not made for defeat', he said. A man can be destroyed but not defeated."

===
Notes on why I found this book so appealing:

Hemingway has played a crucial role in the formative years of my life. The first book I read was from my school library at Loreto, Asansol. 'A Farewell To Arms'.
I remember reading 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' with my husband at our regular haunts to the 'Landmark' bookstore in Chennai. Along the way, I have read several other books, but 'The Old Man and the Sea' with its simplicity of language and diction leaves one mesmerized. I have probably read this earlier. With age, the appreciation for this Pulitzer prize winning novella has simple increased.

I wanted to re-read this work, ever since we happened to take a trip to West Palm Beach Florida. Not only did we wander on the beaches, play in the sand, pick up giant sea shells, watch turtles, and glorious sunrises - our resort faced the ocean, giving us an opportunity to listen to the music of the sea. The fishing trawlers would leave early in the morning and I was lucky to wake up early and watch them. One followed another as they headed deep into the sea. Eventually, the family decided to go fishing! And while we were not expert fishermen - it left an indelible impression on our minds - including the then three year old who got to see live 'sharks'.

Meritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

The Meritt Island National Wildlife Refuge along with a narrow barrier island forms a large part of the Canaveral National Seashore in Florida. Sharing a border with NASA's Kennedy Space Center, this refuge provides buffer area for safe launch of space shuttles, rockets and the like. What is mind boggling though, is the variety of the flora and fauna in the region.

The swamp

Trees near the water at the refuge

Home to alligators, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, bald eagles, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, anhinga, ibis, herons, egrets and more - this refuge provides a feast for the eye not only to an avid bird watcher or wildlife enthusiast, but also to the layman and those wanting a quiet holiday away from the madding crowd.

A manatee under water

A 'frisbee' like tail of a manatee feeding on sea weeds

The sea cows or manatees prefer warm temperatures and congregate in shallow waters. Often they are watched from above by fearless American black vultures.

On the prowl, American Black Vultures

A lone vulture posing for a picture

The wading birds on long legs move through the shallow water searching for fish, frogs, insects and other creatures. Each bird has a unique feeding habit - some using the bill as a probe, others like a spear or scissor.

An ibis in the swamp

An egret

An anhinga basking in the sun

Mallards. 04/12

These beautiful mallards have started visiting the small lake close to our home announcing the advent of Spring. The iridescent green head of the male duck along with the bright yellow beak is a feast for the eye.