The Red Champa a summer bloom!

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” ~ Russel Baker

Yes its another summer bloom. The Red Champa (or Frangipani) call it Ruby Red or Scarlett it does ignite the heart and evoke love, passion and warmth. I wish to share a quote on the Wikipedia ~ saying “चम्पा तुझमें तीन गुण – रंग, रूप और बास ; अवगुण तुझमें एक ही कि भंवर न आए पास” translated it means ~ “Hey Champa you have three qualities – color, beauty, and fragrance, but the only thing you lack is that honey-bees never sit on you”.

Enjoy my friends

Gulmohur the Flame Tree

We in India call this tree with bright flame like flowers as The Gulmohar (Hindi and Urdu -‘Gul’ means ‘Flower’ and ‘Mohr’ is ‘Peacock’, thus the name suggests a spectacular show of color, like the extraordinary colors of a peacock’s tail. – Courtesy the Wikipedia.

When the Gulmohur blooms it means summer. In India it spreads brightness color and joy during the months of April May & June.

Its summer now so spread the joy.

Celebrating Earth Day 2012

On Earth Day 2012 we resolve to care for Mother Earth every day of our life.

A beach in Goa - Nature's bounty

I believe in God, only I spell it Nature ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Embrace

The two trees nearest to the gate appear to be locked in embrace – harmony in nature! Can you suggest a caption?

Embrace

Thank you!

Shady Banyan Tree

Come summer and its fun to pass from under the shade of Banyan Trees. In contrast to the fierce sun and heat the shade of a Banyan tree is amazingly cooling – the mind too calms down. We are fortunate to have a few such precious shady spots still free of concrete high-rises. The shape of the giant tree is unique it has a luxurious canopy with aerial roots running from the branches to the ground.These pics are from near the Race Course and Koregaon Park.

Shady Banyan Tree

Shade of the Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree KGP

Banyan Tree KGP 2

Thank you

The beautiful Kachnar Tree

On a fine winter morning while on our morning walk we were pleasantly surprised to see beautiful pink flowers in bloom. These were on some of the trees at the road side in our Society in Pune. One of our walking buddies shared some interesting information on this tree and its lovely flowers. The tree is called the Kachnar and the flowers are Kachnar flowers. The colours varied from pink to mauve.

Some friends who had more hands-on experience in preparation of this lesser known herb said the kachnar buds are boiled and used in different is used for preparing tasty vegetable dish and others said you could use the long beans seen in the picture too. They need to be washed very well before use to remove the bitter taste. Its also popularly used in non vegetarian dishes. Do visit one interesting website for details – http://nishamadhulika.com/en/368-kachnar-kali-recipe.html

The Kachnar tree is also known as the Orchid Tree. As given in the Wikipedia its botanical name is Bauhinia variegate.

I’d like to share some pictures taken of these lovely flowers. And any additional information from viewers is welcome.

Have a great day!

Kachnar Tree

Kachnar flowers

The Kachnar in bloom

Wish You A Happy New Year Full of Roses

Which is loveliest in a rose? Its coy beauty when it’s budding, or its splendor when it blows? ~ George Barlow.

I wish all our viewers and friends a very happy and joyful New Year 2012 with lovely roses!

Cheers

Winter glory

Hi folks these berry like fruits grow around hedges every year but are not edible. They can be seen in November and start disappearing in the beginning of December. What are they?

Cheers!

An appointment with nature!

“Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time finds time on his side” ~ The Talmud

Early morning last Saturday my wife and I drove off to spend time with nature’s bounty. What a fantastic feeling to just shut down the routine week-end activities and break out – for an appointment with nature. Our destination was a friend’s farm I’d rather call it an eco-park 25 Km away from the hustle-bustle and pollution of the city. The view of the Khadakwasla Lake is beautiful and the farm has quite a few exotic plants. I’d love to share a few pictures.

The weather was just fine with a light drizzle and we relaxed under a  large covered sit-out enjoying the beautiful view of the lake. Yes we did some light reading – no laptops no music. You have great view of the Sahyadri Mountain range with the famous Sinhagad Fort (The Lion Fort) in the middle. It is situated on a hill rising 800 metres above the country side. The fort has been the site of many important battles dating back to the great warrior king Shivaji. In the picture you can see the fort engulfed by a necklace of clouds.

We enjoyed a light lunch (packed) and after resting a bit got back home – fully relaxed.

Cheers!

Star Fruit

Saturday was a holiday and typically Pune monsoon weather with an intermittent light drizzle. We decided to drive off to a friend’s

A Star Fruit Tree

beautiful farm place at the out skirts of Pune. The location is exotic with an expansive view of a large lake.  I am keen on sharing some of the pictures of the lake i a subsequent post.  The greenery all around made the weather conditions oxygen rich and conducive to growth of plant life.

Among all the beautiful flora all round we spotted a tree with plenty of longish hanging fruits yellow in colour. We were told by the caretaker it is a star-fruit tree.

The star fruit tree was about 15 ft to 25 ft high. Some net research revealed another name for it – carambola. The fruit is shaped like a star and is about 5 inches long. When the fruit is cut crosswise the sections look like stars because of the sharp pointed ridges. It is best

Star Fruit

to pluck them when they are at their peak or else they fall off and the juicy pulp runs out. We tasted it and found it to be sweet and juicy and mildly tangy. Quite delicious!

It can be eaten fresh or added to salads. It is claimed that star fruits are rich in vitamins A and C and high in fibre.

As given in the Wiki the star fruit or Carambola is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium and acid.

I liked the taste of the star fruit and will be on the look-out to buy some in our local market. Hope I can find them there.