Favoritos de ram_k

I'm observing these moths for the first time that too while mating. Taking photographs was quite tricky because when I try to focus on the male the female becomes blurred, and vice versa. Therefore I've tried to show them through different angles.

WS: Female: 50 mm
Male: 40 mm

ref https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1514923-Paraclodia-besucheti
@borisb @malacoderm for your kind confirmation, thanks

A very beautiful beetle, tiny but its long antenna and the beautiful patterns on the upper elytra made it special

proper GPS not taken, we were clicking birds on trek route between Kaiakata-Kalipokhri when we first saw this individual. Approximate location given. Identified by Prosenjit Dawn.
Observers: Jayanta Kumar Dan, Kousheyo Bagchi, Biswanath Mondal, Srinjan Majumdar, Dinesh Pradhan

I had actually gone for a weekend of Mothing to this new resort. As I was earlier informed deer, wild boars and large moths visit this place quite frequently from the the nearby thick forests. In anticipation of both large wildlife and moths I went to the place quite prepared with appropriate cameras, lenses and other gears, and put up my whitesheet in time, and waited for actions to happen.
Sadly it started to rain very heavily and also the wind was blowing fast. And then suddenly the light went out never to come back again.
The in-charge managed to briskly organise a deiseal generator to keep the bulbs on.
Thank goodness it wasn't another washout after all that trouble. Along with many exotic moths I spotted this beautiful Beetle too.

Lengths: Body: 25 mm
Horn: 35 mm

First kerala riport

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ktxwoULrP5EgyhbT/?mibextid=oFDknk

Observing a tern on a rainy day, I initially thought it was a breeding Common Tern due to the dark color on its belly. However, upon reviewing images, I noticed distinct differences, including

Sharply demarcated trailing edge of the primaries

Lack of a dark wedge on the upper wing

Extremely short neck or no visible neck

Long tail streaming

White rump

These characteristics set it apart from the Common Tern. I consulted with experienced birders and experts on a Facebook group dedicated to bird identification, and they pointed out additional features, including:

Semi-translucent primaries, suggesting an Arctic Tern

However, some noted that the beak appeared slightly longer than typical for an Arctic Tern

Renowned expert Killian Mullarney shared his insight, stating that while the beak may seem slightly long, it falls within the range of variation seen in Arctic Terns. Based on these discussions and observations, I concluded that the tern I spotted was an Arctic Tern.

Acknowledgements :

Moditha hiranya kodikara arachchi

Nikolas Hass

Chris kehoe

Killian Mullarney

Ashwin viswanathan

Douglas ball

Sandeep biswas

Praveen j

Lakshmi ravindrennair