Comments on: Expedition Monsoon : The Water Monster http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/ Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:20:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kalyan Varma http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11780 Kalyan Varma Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:05:43 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11780 Thanks. I have updated the link Thanks. I have updated the link

]]> By: Paul Williams http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11571 Paul Williams Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:28:02 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11571 Hay Kalyan, Ive taken this video down from facebook - its now on YouTube in a much better edited form and higher resolution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWPl50YpjLA Cheers, Paul Hay Kalyan, Ive taken this video down from facebook – its now on YouTube in a much better edited form and higher resolution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWPl50YpjLA Cheers, Paul

]]> By: Mahesh http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11046 Mahesh Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:38:44 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11046 Kalyan, I remember the first time I visited Ranganathittu santuary and was surprised to find crocs in the water sharing the eco with birds. Later learnt the unique relationship they share with each other in terms of protection of the habitat itself vs crocs getting their daily round of snacks. Talking about the presenter, I felt he wanted to speak a lot but was lost or lacked knowledgable content about crocodiles hence ended up mumbling "wow did you see that" or something like that when the croc resting on a rock simply vanished in the water which would be the most common reaction of any animal (reptile in this case) when humans ventured close to it. The very fact that his tone and expression showed surprise and excitement in seeing the croc vanish inside the water made me feel he was a bit amatuer. He may be a knowledgeable person in the area of wildlife but certainly not good as a presenter. These are my personal views. - Mahesh Kalyan,
I remember the first time I visited Ranganathittu santuary and was surprised to find crocs
in the water sharing the eco with birds. Later learnt the unique relationship they share
with each other in terms of protection of the habitat itself vs crocs getting their daily round of snacks. Talking about the presenter, I felt he wanted to speak a lot but was lost or lacked knowledgable content about crocodiles hence ended up mumbling “wow did you see that” or something like that when the croc resting on a rock simply vanished in the water which would be the most common reaction of any animal (reptile in this case) when humans ventured close to it. The very fact that his tone and expression showed surprise and excitement in seeing the croc vanish inside the water made me feel he was a bit amatuer. He may be a knowledgeable person in the area of wildlife but certainly not good as a presenter.
These are my personal views.
- Mahesh

]]> By: Kalyan Varma http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11040 Kalyan Varma Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:42:36 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11040 Very valid point Jeffrey. There are 2 things at play here : 1. The crocs are quite habituated. This is a very popular tourist destination and the crocs are used to having boats few feet away from them many times a day. Till now, there has not been any history of them trying to attack humans (though they have in other parts of the river where the come in contact with humans). 2. Seeing our big camera etc, the boatman decided to get adventures and decided to take us very close to the animal. We didn’t think he would go so close.. and I feel bad that the croc got so disturbed that it had to jump into the water. If you see the second part of the clip after this, where paul is few meters away from the croc.. that was the working distance we had in mind.. but you know how these things turn out. I know a lot of presenters take a lot of pride in getting close or handing dangerous animals. Paul from what I know, is very very sensible about it and he wants to be a David Attenborough kind of presenter and not a Steve Irwin kind. Very valid point Jeffrey. There are 2 things at play here :

1. The crocs are quite habituated. This is a very popular tourist destination and the crocs are used to having boats few feet away from them many times a day. Till now, there has not been any history of them trying to attack humans (though they have in other parts of the river where the come in contact with humans).

2. Seeing our big camera etc, the boatman decided to get adventures and decided to take us very close to the animal. We didn’t think he would go so close.. and I feel bad that the croc got so disturbed that it had to jump into the water. If you see the second part of the clip after this, where paul is few meters away from the croc.. that was the working distance we had in mind.. but you know how these things turn out.

I know a lot of presenters take a lot of pride in getting close or handing dangerous animals. Paul from what I know, is very very sensible about it and he wants to be a David Attenborough kind of presenter and not a Steve Irwin kind.

]]> By: Kalyan Varma http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11039 Kalyan Varma Sat, 18 Jul 2009 07:41:58 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11039 Curious to know why you felt that Mahesh ? Paul who is presenting, is new to India and is presenting what he sees and feels of the place. For example we are used to the crocs in Ranganthittu, but for someone who is new to this place, it is still very scary/amazing experience to be so close to a wild croc. I also think that Paul had his unique style in talking and presenting. Looking forward to your comments. Curious to know why you felt that Mahesh ?

Paul who is presenting, is new to India and is presenting what he sees and feels of the place. For example we are used to the crocs in Ranganthittu, but for someone who is new to this place, it is still very scary/amazing experience to be so close to a wild croc. I also think that Paul had his unique style in talking and presenting.

Looking forward to your comments.

]]> By: Mahesh http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11037 Mahesh Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:53:17 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11037 The person who is speaking looks totally out of place in front of the camera, trying to emulate other well established discovery/bbc naturalists. The person who is speaking looks totally out of place in front of the camera, trying to emulate other well established discovery/bbc naturalists.

]]> By: shivani http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11034 shivani Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:40:16 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11034 this is Awesome .. congrats..waiting for more vedios :) this is Awesome .. congrats..waiting for more vedios :)

]]> By: Pradeep Prakash http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11033 Pradeep Prakash Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:19:10 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11033 Yes, I understand the feeling that Paul had, I happened to catch the same crocodile in the same 'pose' when I had been to Rangantittu in the last week of June. Here it is http://pradeepclicks.com/phpalbum/main.php?cmd=imageview&var1=Wildlife+n+Birds%2FRangantittu+Bird+Sanctuary%2FDSC_2626_fi.jpg Observe the rack of razor sharp teeth. Scary isn't it??? Yes, I understand the feeling that Paul had, I happened to catch the same crocodile in the same ‘pose’ when I had been to Rangantittu in the last week of June. Here it is

http://pradeepclicks.com/phpalbum/main.php?cmd=imageview&var1=Wildlife+n+Birds%2FRangantittu+Bird+Sanctuary%2FDSC_2626_fi.jpg

Observe the rack of razor sharp teeth. Scary isn’t it???

]]> By: Jeffrey Friedl http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11030 Jeffrey Friedl Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:35:12 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11030 So as the boat is getting closer and Paul gestures with his hand, I wondered how long the hand would remain attached to the arm (or the arm attached to the body). Was there no worry that the croc might lunge for a bit of lunch, or is this type always skittish of humans/boats? So as the boat is getting closer and Paul gestures with his hand, I wondered how long the hand would remain attached to the arm (or the arm attached to the body). Was there no worry that the croc might lunge for a bit of lunch, or is this type always skittish of humans/boats?

]]> By: Radha http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/2009/07/14/expedition-monsoon-the-water-monster/comment-page-1/#comment-11029 Radha Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:33:05 +0000 http://kalyanvarma.net/journal/?p=825#comment-11029 This one's great Kalyan :) Waiting to see more videos from your trip.. Good luck for spotting in BR Hills and Nagarahole! This one’s great Kalyan :) Waiting to see more videos from your trip.. Good luck for spotting in BR Hills and Nagarahole!

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