Birds and Blooms

Photo Feature

Love Is Devotion
We emulate and are inspired by nature in every aspect of our lives and so it is with our mating rituals. Our communal dances are an opportunity to show off our health, vigour and stamina. The desire to dress up, show off expensive cars and houses are the equivalent of birds sporting breeding colours, or building a nest to attract a mate. Samuel John, Love is devotion. A tender moment of intimacy between a male and female Great Indian Hornbill Buceros bicornis. After months of tracking a male hornbill dutifully across the Devala Valley, the photographer spotted him with his mate, gently feeding each other fruit. Monogamous birds, the bonding of hornbills involve the exchange of fruits, beak rubbing and dueting with loud “kok” calls. Post breeding, males help their mates seal themselves into carefully chosen tree cavities, leaving only a small opening to feed their mates and their future offspring. Talk about doting partners! Location: Devala Valley, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu

birds and blooms