Mount Abu Weather Update.

 Discovering Nature’s Whims: Mount Abu Weather Update.

Mount Abu temperature reading on Saturday

Snap. Per kind favour Anil Babbars Den

Nestled amidst Rajasthan’s stunning landscapes, Mount Abu has long grabbed travellers’ hearts with its ever-changing weather scenario. From the warm embrace of sunny days to the turbulent dance of thunderstorms, untangling the whims of nature in this mysterious place is no simple task.

As February ended, signalling the start of a hopeful spring, Mount Abu played its own hand. Despite initial reports of a peaceful shift to warmer weather, weather experts warned of an imminent storm with strong winds and the chance of hail or rain. True to their forecasts, a huge ruckus rolled through, throwing a shadow across the hillside. Gloomy clouds shrouded Saturday, and occasional rains dampened the mood of weekend revellers.

But, just when we thought we’d seen the last of winter’s chill, nature reminded us of its unexpected ways. Sunday awoke with a bitter cold, with temperatures plunging below zero—a stark contrast to the balmy winters we had accustomed to. Surprisingly, the night air became much colder, reaching a bone-chilling -3 degrees.

Mount Abu temperature reading Sunday

As we prepare for the approaching days, it appears Mount Abu is not quite ready to say goodbye to winter just yet. March, a sign of warmer weather, is experiencing a chilly period. It’s as if the gods of this place are unravelling nature’s riddles, hoping to predict what the future holds for this charming hill resort.

So, as we traverse this temperature and mood variations, one thing is certain: Mount Abu’s fascination lies not only in its stunning scenes but also in the bewildering tapestry of weather patterns that continue to enchant and beguile those who visit its holy grounds.

  

World Sparrow Day Tomorrow 20 March 2018.

World Sparrow Day in Mount Abu: A Success Story of Conservation

In the serene hills of Mount Abu, the community has taken remarkable steps to ensure the survival and growth of the house sparrow. Abuites, the locals of Mount Abu, make extraordinary efforts to promote the population of these charming little birds. Daily, they scatter bajra and other bird seeds in spots accessible to the sparrows, providing a consistent food source. Additionally, they create safe havens for these birds to nest and thrive by carefully placing birdhouses outside buildings.

A few decades ago, the house sparrow population faced a steep decline, raising concerns among bird lovers and conservationists. However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the people of Mount Abu, their numbers have increased. Today, it’s not uncommon to hear excited exclamations from tourists, those from Gujarat, when they spot a house sparrow. Phrases like, “Juoo Juoo Chakli che... photo leg, photo ley ane gear mokal WhatsApp pur!” (Look, look, it’s a sparrow... take a photo and send it home on WhatsApp!) echo through the hills as these visitors marvel at the sight of a bird that has become a rarity in their own cities.

During a recent month-long stay in Ahmedabad, I felt a personal connection to the house sparrow. As I recorded a variety of bird species during my visit, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of sparrows—a stark contrast to the bustling avian life I was used to in Mount Abu. Imagine my joy when, about two weeks into my stay, I spotted and photographed a single sparrow. It was a moment of triumph, but also a reminder of the challenges these birds face in urban environments.

The efforts in Mount Abu are a testament to what communities can achieve when they come together for a common cause. On World Sparrow Day, let’s celebrate not just the house sparrows of Mount Abu but also the spirit of conservation that has allowed these birds to flourish once again.

 

The single House sparrow I saw while in Ahmedabad.

The population of Yellow-throated sparrows in Mount Abu has tripled in the past 5 years. Local folks call them the jungle sparrow.

 To know more about SPARROWS click World Sparrow Day 

Christmas IN Mount Abu

This year, I didn't go out of my way to make Christmas special. Reality has finally caught up with us old fogies. Well, not that old in today's society; I still haven't turned 65! Christmas, like all other celebrations in this nation, has become low-key, with the recession affecting everyone who has the time to spend money on frivolous customary customs. Mount Abu, with its winter celebration in full force this year, could not maintain its advantage from previous years.

I might be wrong because I don't have the statistics, but a simple stroll about town gives me an idea of the mood of the current crowd. Did the construction of the Western front between India and Pakistan affect the annual traffic passing through this path? I know the Mumbai terror incident had an impact on the influx of international tourists. Well, Christmas has been low-key; I did miss putting up the Christmas tree every year for the kids and Santa with his HO HO HO! I was all set to play Santa with my enormous paunch and snow-white beard, but I would have had to do it in front of a phantom audience because 90% of the people had gone away to celebrate Christmas away from home.

I've always spent Christmas at home since it seems to me to be the only place to be at this time of year. Mother Nature has been very kind this year since old man Frost has just recently begun to visit our paradise. This year's New Year should be chilly and icy, in keeping with the daily dip in temperatures. Tourists visiting Abu at this time of year should dress warmly because the temperature will continue to fall consistently until the first week of March.

Any tourist caught unaware and in need of warm shawls could contact Mr.Arvind ph no 09829092687 for pure Angora Shawls made exclusively at his Rabbit farm at Oriya, Mount Abu. These shawls are of the finest quality and are hand-woven by the village folks of Oriya. Anyone interested in these custom hand-woven shawls can order these shawls directly from the farm.

Abu invites everyone to join its winter festival and celebrate the New Year with us at Mount Abu. May peace and wisdom prevail in the coming years with our leaders.

HAPPY NEW YEAR WORLD

Bosky the Cat Whisperer Mount Abu.

 My Basset Hound’s Unique Bond with Kittens 

Bosky, my beloved Basset Hound, is not your ordinary dog. Her deep affection for cats has made her a local legend in Mount Abu, winning hearts and leaving everyone who meets her in awe. Her story is one of unconditional love and the incredible bonds that can form between animals. 

  A Unique Friendship Begins 

Bosky entered our lives as a gift from a close family friend to my “bitter half.” Along with her, our friend also brought a tiny kitten intended for another family who were

 out of town. We kept that little kitten and named her Mao. What was a short-lived arrangement transformed into a lifelong friendship between Bosky and Mao. 

As Mao grew older, she had her first litter of five kittens. These tiny furballs brought an unexpected twist. Bosky, who had just come off her first season, experienced a false pregnancy—a rare condition in which a dog exhibits maternal behaviour despite not being pregnant. To our surprise, one day, we found the kittens suckling on Bosky while she groomed and nurtured them like her own pups. 

   A Mother’s Instinct 

Concerned yet fascinated, Liz, my “bitter half,” consulted our vet. The vet, amused by this extraordinary situation, assured us there was no cause for worry. Both the kittens and Bosky were thriving, and the kittens had even plumped up, resembling little puffballs. Bosky took immense pride in her role as their surrogate mother, often strutting around with the kittens trailing behind her in a delightful procession. 

Passersby couldn’t resist stopping to witness this extraordinary sight: a Basset Hound protective of her feline “babies.” If any unfamiliar dog dared venture into our yard, Bosky would spring into action, defending her adopted brood with unwavering resolve. 

 Harmony Among Species 

Our home soon became a haven for harmony among species. Regular visitors like Bandoo, the bandy-legged Romeo; Kalu, the long-legged shank; and Sandy, the overgrown mongrel, became accustomed to the kittens. These grown dogs, once wary, played, cuddled, and lived with the mischievous little felines. This heartwarming coexistence charmed friends who visited. 

   A Second Chapter 

Bosky’s maternal journey didn’t end there. With no male Bassets in our neighbourhood, she experienced another phase of false pregnancy. This time, she began nursing kittens from Mao’s second litter. By now, Bosky had embraced her role as a feline foster mother, earning her a reputation as the “cat whisperer” of Mount Abu. 

It often makes me wonder: if Bosky ever has her own puppies, how will she react? Will she love them as deeply as she does her feline family? Or will she continue to believe she’s part cat after nurturing two generations of kittens? 

The Heart of the Community 

Bosky’s charm extends beyond her extraordinary bond with cats. Her gentle and playful personality captivated neighbourhood children, making her their heartthrob. Her tale exemplifies the power of interspecies connection, teaching valuable lessons of love, acceptance, and harmony. 

Bosky My Bas

Sandy, Jerry and Kalu

Bandoo and Kali

Bosky posing

Bosky and Tom

Boskt and her favourite Minnie

Minni is having her fill

Minni posing 

Bosky and her foster babies

Boski and Minni are napping

Bosky nursing second-generation babies

Bosky nursing the kittens