Victoria, the capital of Seychelles is a quaint little town, replete with enchanting colonial era buildings. It was a bright sunny morning and as we were walking along the city center, our guide pointed at a man who was attired in khaki shorts and shirts and whispered that he is Gérard Rocamora, the most famous ornithologist in Seychelles. I quickly walked up to him and introduced myself and shared my interest in watching some endemic birds of Seychelles. He was warm and friendly and enumerated some of the species that I would be able to see and even mimicked their calls and patterns of flight. I thanked him profusely and looked forward to seeing at least a few of the birds he had mentioned.
After spending sometime in the National Museum of History in Victoria, we made our way to the Seychelles Tea Factory. The winding road to the factory through evergreen towering trees was quite beautiful. Perched on the hills of Morne Blanc, the tea factory offered a splendid panoramic view of the western slopes of Mahé and its beaches. As I was soaking in the captivating landscape, I heard the calls of the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, which Dr Gerard Rocamora so wonderfully mimicked. On looking up, I spotted it on top of a tall tree. With a dark blue body, silver-grey breast and a striking patch of bright red skin on its face, the Seychelles Blue Pigeon has a regal appearance. It was first described by the Italian naturalist Giovanni Antonio Scopolli in 1786 and is known as 'Pizon Olande' ('Dutch Pigeon') in Creole. It derives its Creole name from the resemblance of its colors to the Dutch flag! Flutter of blue wings Etched in azure sky Zen moment
39 Comments
Prathap Tharyan
8/17/2023 07:34:59 am
Evocative descriptions
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 07:54:57 am
Thanks Prathap
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Pamela Sunawala
8/17/2023 07:41:14 am
Such vivid descriptions. Seychelles came alive for me.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 07:55:12 am
Thanks Pamela!
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SATISH KUMAR SOFAT
8/17/2023 07:45:13 am
So well described. Thanks a lot.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 07:55:36 am
Thanks Satish!
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Ranjini Rajgopalan
8/17/2023 09:17:57 am
A pleasure to read your posts! Such graphic descriptions of your experiences are very inspiring and interesting! Surely enhances the reader’s knowledge! Thank you
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:35:09 pm
Thank You
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dr c anbudorai
8/17/2023 10:36:18 am
pizon olande , pigeon 🐦 holland Dutch flag - sky blue 🔵 expanse ,flecks of silver grey white clouds & a red sun♥️ crest
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:36:10 pm
Thanks Anbu. What a wonderful epither, "digital flying carpet"!
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PRACHET
8/17/2023 11:31:51 am
Beautifully penned for a beautiful bird. On reading your blogs one cannot but be engrossed in the topic. We learn so many aspects of Nature from you Sir, Thank you , keep it coming, always eagerly await your posts.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:36:24 pm
Thanks Prachet
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8/17/2023 11:52:40 am
Raghuramji, can't describe the feelings this post evokes.. Both the nature and men described move our hearts
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:36:52 pm
Thanks Sudha. Hope you are having a wonderful time there!
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Antony
8/17/2023 01:16:02 pm
Beautifully written and I was experiencing the sighting of the blue pigeon 💙 while reading.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:37:08 pm
Thanks Tony!
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Pawan Maloo
8/17/2023 07:31:48 pm
It is always interesting to read Dr Raguram’s blog on nature. It is so well written that we feel like we are physically present there to see this beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing Dr.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:37:28 pm
Thanks Pawan
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Dr Madhava Rao Mangaluru
8/17/2023 08:27:48 pm
Nice,informative short write up - it seems Male bows down before mating & later ‘ only female builds the Nest ‘ !!
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:40:57 pm
During the breeding season, the males often chase each other in fast flight displays. They also perform stunning displays such as ritual fighting. They can become very aggressive during this period.
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Rajeev Mathur
8/17/2023 08:42:42 pm
Absolutely enthralled by the description. Worth a visit to Seychelles - never been there. Your vivid commentary makes it more motivating to visit such beautiful places.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:54:03 pm
Thanks. Seychelles is a hidden gem with some of the most beautiful beaches!
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8/17/2023 08:48:39 pm
That red skin patch on its face is certainly a great marker. Waiting to see more!
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 08:54:27 pm
True...it sets it apart!
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Abhay
8/17/2023 08:56:48 pm
It is so well described that it shows how deep your interest & observations are.It is like being there.Always look forward for your posts.🙏🏽
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 09:30:05 pm
Thanks Abhay!
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Rajan Iyyalol
8/17/2023 08:59:41 pm
Sir, your exciting explorations and its poetic narrations make a unique brand of experiential accounts that
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 09:30:29 pm
Thanks Rajan
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Sudarshan C Y
8/17/2023 09:28:19 pm
It is said that God appears before ardent devotee. Like that Blue pigeon appeared for sighting as a result of your passion for bird watching. It is interesting that you could trace it by its calls. Meeting Gerard Rocamora could be like meeting Salim Ali of India. By the way Seychelles played host for Miss World Beauty contest in 1998.
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Dr Raguram
8/17/2023 09:31:42 pm
Thats an interesting bit of information!
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Nandini Mullatti
8/18/2023 12:33:23 am
Lovely to read you road-less-travelled observations about the Seychelles! I always thought Seychelles was all about the beaches but you have brought it alive with much more than that! Great to read about all of it Sir, thank you!
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Nandini
8/18/2023 12:35:52 am
I needed to tick verify images boxes for about 10 mins before FB let me post the message!!
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BASKARAN
8/18/2023 04:39:54 am
வசீகரமான புறாவின் படமும் பார்ப்பதற்குச் சென்ற அனுபவச் சித்தரிப்பும் அருமையாக உள்ளன. உங்கள் கண்கள் வழியே அந்த அபூர்வப்புறாவைப் பார்கபும் வாய்ப்பு கிடைத்தது. நன்றி. நீலப்புறா, கடல்புறா, செம்மூக்குப்புறா என நானே வெவ்வேறு பெயர்களைச் சூட்டி மகிழ்கிறேன். அழகான தருணம்.
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8/18/2023 07:23:43 am
Excellent photo and narration, sir. I am seeing this bird for the first time!
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Elizabeth Daniel
8/18/2023 09:17:11 pm
Lovely! Is this the same as the blue fruit dove? Is it going extinct? In any case, a real beauty! Dark blue , silver and red...as though it is flaunting its own flag! Many thanks Sir for this delightful piece!
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Meethu
8/18/2023 09:38:03 pm
It was so lovely reading about your experience. Makes me want to visit Seychelles. And such a lovely bird. And photography is too good doctor.
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Marisa
8/19/2023 11:10:42 am
Your anecdotal narratives are not only educative but a pleasure to read Dr. Ragu. They bring to life the places with its beautiful birds and animals. Thank you for all the interesting pieces.
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Shripathy M Bhat
8/23/2023 08:20:21 am
Here is a being who knows not what he is being called by a civilised being, uninhibitedly reflecting the image The Nature has revealed through its masterly creation. Nothing to beat it. Absolutely marvelous. Thank you Raghu, for the piece which represents the whole.
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