Monthly Archives: December 2011

Three Kingfishers

Published / by Jehangir

I have commented earlier on the Rule of Three in the bird life of Kashmir. True to the rule, three species of kingfishers are commonly observed in Kashmir – the pied, common and white-throated kingfishers.

One of life's little joys is sitting on the banks of the Jehlum and watching a family of Pied kingfishers fly past in perfect formation – think of a fly-by of minutiarised Sukhoi fighter-jets on parade.

The White-throated kingfisher lends a dash of colour to the bleak winterscape, while the Common kingfisher is, well, common.

Chasing Leopards

Published / by Jehangir

Chasing (or being stalked by !) a leopard at Kashmir Nursing Home. The lack of stealth this leopard is exhibiting is unusual. He has been frequenting the residential quarters of KNH almost every night over the past week in open view.

P.S We found a porcupine quill where the leopard killed the first dog and dragged it over the wall into the Kashmir Nursing Home. I remember reading that Jim Corbett and Kenneth Anderson both hunted down and shot leopards/tigers that had turned into man-eaters after being injured by porcupine quills.

Update: The leopard has been tranquilized and captured in a private house near Islamia School Dalgate.