Averrhoa carambola

[Padmini Raghavan]

On Pongal Day in 2009, I plucked more than 10 Kgs of starfruit from the tree I had planted 30 or so years ago.

 

This year we got barely a handful but every day (in the season)  there were half-eaten tiny fruit lying under the tree.

 

Last week I managed to catch the thief  in the act of plunder, though  only on film.

 Check out my pics.

Regards,

Padmini Raghavan.

[Padmini Raghavan]

There were two of them quietly  hopping around and munching away.  

 

 I only noticed them because I was standing under the tree getting some leaves composted and saw the half-eaten fruit fall down.

 

There was no sound until they screeched and flew away together after their breakfast.

 

Cheers,

Padmini Raghavan.

[tanay bose]

lovely parrot

tanay

--

Tanay Bose

Research Assistant & Teaching Assistant.
Department of Botany.
University of British Columbia .
3529-6270 University Blvd.
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 (Canada)
Phone: 778-323-4036 (Mobile)

            604-822-2019 (Lab)

ta...@interchange.ubc.ca

[Neil Soares]

Hi Ms.Raghavan,   Nice photographs !!!  Rose-ringed Parakeets [the female is featured here] eat only the seeds and discard the fleshy pulp.                       Regards,                        Neil Soares. --- On Fri, 12/31/10, tanay bose <tanay...@gmail.com> wrote:

[mani nair]

My potted Carambola tree flowered and now there are fruits.  I will post some photos.

Regards,

Mani.

[Padmini Raghavan]

So that was why I saw so much fruit wasted on the driveway, is it? Do they discard the flesh of all fruits or only of the carambola since it is sour?

 The male was also there but not easily visible to my camera.

I presume it was her mate as they suddenly  flew off together,  screeching raucously.

 

  My elderly aunt (90 years ) has suggested I tie a tin with  a striker and get someone to sound the makeshift bell on and off to scare away the birds. I must see whether there are any fruit left to justify the effort. 

 There are so many tiny fruit on the ground, which are sure not to have  formed seeds by then.The way the fruit is wasted is a shame, though I can see the point of view of the gourmet parakeet too.

Regards,

Padmini Raghavan.

On Fri, Dec 31, 2010 at 8:38 AM, Neil Soares <drneil...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[Neil Soares]

Hi,  They do the same with Guavas [and also with chillies / red peppers].                    Regards,                      Neil Soares. --- On Fri, 12/31/10, Padmini Raghavan <pad...@gmail.com> wrote: