Bird of the week - White Browed Wagtail

White Browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) - Near National Defence Academy lake - Khadakvasala - Pune. Pic taken on 07 Feb 2010

Getting a new subject to capture in my camera is certainly celebration time! A couple of days ago I spotted this giant lizard in my neighborhood. Approximately 4 feet long, this creature is called Indian Monitor or Bengal Monitor. They say sighting of Indian Monitor is rare these days on account dwindling numbers. As a result the species is now declared protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act. The IUCN has also considered the species endangered and listed it in Appendix I. So I can consider myself lucky to capture this awesome creature!

Many of you must be familiar with a folklore popular in Maharashtra. People believe that Shivaji's general Tanaji Malusare used Indian Monitor with ropes attached for climbing the walls of the Sinhagad fort during the famous Battle of Sinhagad. No wonder....just have a look at the powerful claws of this creature.


Olympus E-620 + SWD 50-200 + ec 20.