Saturday 26 October 2013

Little Bird

One little bird chirping on a tree
It looks like it's calling to me...
I look at the branch and try to see
Where the little bird could ever be?

It seems that it saw me looking
Through my window, where I was sitting
With the tea in hand which I was sipping
Without a blink to see him chirping.

This little bird kindled me to quest
 To leave my seat I usually rest...
Setting down my cup I felt a fest
The little bird which chirped its best.

Peering closer through the leaves 
I saw something red, blue and green!
It was the prettiest I must have ever seen
With a wink of my eye it flew off like a dream......

Saturday 19 October 2013

Pulicat Island, Tamil Nadu


The Island at Pulicat Lake
This little island of 5 acres lies in the brackish lagoon of The Pulicat Lake. A panoramic view of the island can be seen from the newly constructed bridge, which connects Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) fishing village to the villages across the lake. A short ride by boat from the jetty of the village takes you to this hidden island which is fenced with barbed wire and sported with causarina trees. It is a perfect get away for picnickers to unwind under the shady trees with expanse of water all around. The small brick cabins and the ancient tiny temple on this island gives us a holistic experience of being marooned for a day on this lush vegetated land.





How To Reach 
The closest city is Chennai, Tamil Nadu which is well connected by rail, air and road.
 To reach this island from Chennai , drive on the NH5 via Nellore- turn towards Ponneri after the toll before Nellore. About 18kms from Ponneri lies Pulicat village. The vehicles can be parked at the car park and a 10min ride by boat would take us to this exotic island.

The best way to unwind on this island is to take a walk, in the waters of the shores around the island, collecting shells and watching the water birds. The afternoons can be spent with a nap under the trees, relishing the packed food and playing a game of frisbie or throwball with family and friends. A boat ride around the lake to spot aquatic birds, or trying a hand with fishing can be ideally done during the evenings before heading back to Pulicat village to reach back home. For the fish eaters the evening fish market in the village is a favoured place to buy fresh fish and prawns to take back home.





A brief note about Pulicate Lake
Pulicat Lake is situated on the coastal border of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, on the Coromandal Coast in South India. The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. Three major rivers, Arani, Kalangi and Swarnamukhi and small streams feed this lagoon which is the second largest in India. The average area of water spread, is about 350 sq. km. and the average depth of water is about 1 m.  The lake is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Migratory birds like the flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, ducks and herons visit this lake during monsoons.

The sandy barrier islands of Irkam and Venad and smaller islands in the north are aligned north–south and divide the lagoon into eastern and western sectors. The morphology of the lagoons is categorized under four types with large areas under mudflats and sandflats
The fishing village of Pulicat is at the south end of the lake.

Dugarājupatnam and Sullurpeta are two important towns on the periphery of the lagoon.
Climate of the lagoon coast line is dominated by Tropical monsoons. Air temperature varies from 15 °C (59 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F). It is ideal to dress in comfortable cotton clothes and take enough precautions from sun tan.



Note - These pictures are copy write of my son