Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Reader “Sherfolder” sent some lovely street photos from India. The captions are indented, and you can click the photos to make them bigger. These really make me want to get back there!
The first two photos are from Rishikesh, a man sitting on banks of the river Ganges and the Hanuman Temple.
This photo shows a farmer transporting load of leaves of meetha neem (Murraya koenigii) also known as curry tree. It is widely used in Indian cuisine as a spice, even though it has nothing directly to do with the preparation of curry.
The next one shows a cattle herder giving her buffalos a short rest at a bus stop.
The following photos show people staying overnight at the train station of New Delhi, residents of a village in Rajasthan I met on a Sunday morning, cleaners of the Amber Fort in Jaipur, local visitors to the Jodphur Palace, flower sellers, and finally the Golden Temple of Amritsar.
Please send in your photos, lest I have to pause this feature!
Today we have “street photos” from Joe Routon, and from my favorite country: India. They are also from Varanasi (formerly “Benares”), the most sacred of Hindu cities. I visited it, too, but don’t have pictures like these. Joe’s notes are indented; click on photos to enlarge them.
Since India is one of your and my favorite countries, you might be interested in including these photos that I made in Varanasi. I don’t pretend to be an expert on India and Hinduism, so I hope there aren’t too many errors in my commentary.
Undoubtedly, the most remarkable, memorable city I’ve ever visited was Varanasi, India, one of the world’s oldest cities, dating back 5,000 years. The spiritual capital of the country, it was here that Buddha founded Buddhism. [JAC: I think the Buddha is supposed to have given his first sermon near here, but am not sure that that is counted as the “founding of Buddhism.”
Located on the banks of the Ganges River, it draws millions of pilgrims every year to bathe in the sacred river.
The pilgrims believe that bathing in the Ganges will purify them and wash away their sins.
With millions of gallons of untreated sewage, pesticides, dead bodies, animal waste, fertilizer, and other pollution, the water is some of the dirtiest in the world. Efforts to clean the river are under way.
It is believed by Hindus that bathing in the Ganges helps a person get rid of sins he or she has committed in their previous lives.
In spite of the obvious pollution, we were told that the water of the Ganges is extremely pure and sanctifying, killing germs. Various scientists have tested the water and, finding antiseptic minerals, have used it to treat different diseases. Seeing the garbage and litter floating on the surface makes me wonder. [JAC: When I was there, I saw a guy brushing his teeth with Ganges water, only a few feet from the bloated corpse of a child floating by, with a crow perched on its belly]
Devout Hindus go to Varanasi to die so they can be cremated on the pyres or on floating rafts. Their ashes are then spread on the water so their souls can be transported to heaven, releasing them from the cycle of death and rebirth and freeing them from the worry of returning to life as a squirrel or a grasshopper.
The pyres burn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with hundreds of bodies burned in plain sight each day. Estimates put the number of cremated bodies dumped in the Ganges at 100,000 per year.
Often, if a family cannot afford a proper cremation, they will dump the body into the river.
It’s an amazing place to visit and experience. India is one of my favorite countries, and Varanasi makes it worth the trip.
Today we have more “street photos” from Asia (and two from Europe) by James Blilie. His captions are indented; click photos to enlarge them.
The first bunch are all scanned Kodachrome 64 slides from my trip around the world, mostly by bicycle. We averaged about 45 miles per day (when riding) and did a total of 11,900 miles on our bikes (Nov 1990 – Oct 1992). Egypt was part of the trip (Thailand, Nepal, India, Kenya, Egypt) we did without bikes and were “regular backpackers”.
I shot almost 400 rolls of Kodachrome, a few dozen rolls of Kodacolor print film (for showing around while we were traveling), and a few dozen rolls of Tri-X Pan black and white film on the trip. Boy, was photography more expensive (and heavy!) back in those days!
Young man, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The town is quite touristy; but lovely nevertheless. Right on the Red Sea:
Man with chickens and a scooter, Malaysia. As anyone who’s been to SE Asia knows, these little 2-stroke cycles are how everything gets around there. The amazing things I’ve seen stacked on these scooters! I saw a family of 5 on one (Dad plus Mom plus three kids!)
Roti-man, Malaysia. This pan-fried flatbread was our breakfast every morning in Malaysia, made in street stalls. We got up every day at about 4 am to be riding our bikes by sunrise in Malaysia. We wanted to be done by 11am because of the heat and humidity. I went through 10-11 liters of water every day in Malaysia.
Young woman beside the highway, east coast of Malaysia (peninsular Malaysia):
Fish for sale in a street market, Suva, Fiji:
Street food, Bangkok, Thailand:
Tools, Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is what happens to the saffron robes the Buddhist monks wear!
Footprints on the trail. Annapurna Circuit trek (back when it still took 3 weeks to do), Nepal.
Nepalese umbrella, Annapurna circuit:
Dishwashing, Muktinath, Nepal. This is why you never ate all the way down to the plate!
We have “street photography” today from Joe Routon, taken in one of his (and my) favorite countries. I’ve indented his captions and text; click on photo to enlarge them.
I’m submitting a few from one of my favorite countries to visit and photograph: India.
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
When in other countries I enjoy photographing the beauty of the dance, whether it be ballet, folk, or, in this case, Bharatanatyam, the oldest classical dance tradition in India.
Faces fascinate me the most, especially those of children.
There are not many places where a photographer can find such wonderful, expressive faces in colorful costumes as there are in India.
On several occasions my photos of young Indian girls have been used by organizations to help fight the rate of gender-selective abortions or the deaths of female infants in India. Fortunately, the trend is reversing. This is a poster for an event that included an exhibit of some of my photographs of girls in India.
My photo of two sisters in India was used in the United Nations’ magazine “The Interdependent” several years ago. Entitled “More Indian Girls Go Missing,” it was in an article by NY Times foreign correspondent Barbara Crossette about the plight of infant girls in India.
Today’s contribution comprises more “street photos” by Joe Routon (remember, these kind of photos count as wildlife). I’ve indented Joe’s captions. Click on the photos to enlarge them.
I’m Always on the search for beautiful things to photograph, and am including a few that I’ve taken.
This is one of my photos of Urbino, Italy, the hometown of the artist Raphael. The beauty of the surrounding countryside inspired him and was included in many of his paintings. The ubiquitous splendor of Italy makes it one of my favorite destinations.
Lake Como is filled with lush gardens and beautiful surroundings.
I have a new camera that has a multiple exposure function that allows me to combine photos. In this one, I merged my photo of a ballerina’s profile with leaves from my front yard. My title for this is “Life is beautiful! Wear a Mask!!”
Even dying leaves can grace us with simple and elegant beauty.
Beauty, dignity, and majesty are plentiful at the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
A must-see in India is the beautifully constructed Chand Baori stepwell in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. Built in the 9th century, it’s almost 100 feet deep and has 3,500 narrow steps. My photo is in the DK Smithsonian book “Man-Made Wonders of the World.”
Don’t forget to send in your good wildlife photos. I bet many of you have been putting it off, but I’ll need them as the holidays approach and nobody feels like sending anything.
Today, Joe Routon is back with some “street photography”, which today is really diverse. I’ve indented his captions.
Here is a potpourri of some of my photo interests. This first is one that I made of a cataract surgery. The instrument in the ophthalmologist’s right hand is a phacoemulsifier, used to send ultrasonic vibrations that emulsify the cataract, allowing the particles to be vacuumed out through the instrument. The phaco, as it’s affectionately called, then inserts a new and clear lens. The procedure, which is 99% effective, usually lasts about 20 minutes and produces spectacular results, in most cases.
This is my macro photograph of an Eupatorium perfoliatum, a wildflower commonly known as the Common Boneset. This entire bundle of exquisite flowers is smaller than an M&M. Each blossom is about a millimeter across.
My favorite subject for photography is the human face, especially when it’s combined with my passion for travel. I photographed this young lady on a street in Tokyo.
What would a photographic sampling in WEIT be without the ubiquitous duck? This is eine Ente in Deutschland.
On my daily social-distancing walk I photograph flowers in the neighborhood. I think this is Clematis vitalba, also known as “Old Man’s Beard.” I’m not a botanist, so I expect that my identification will be challenged by others on the list.
I enjoy the fun of manipulating images. For example, here’s what you get when you crossbreed a sweet gum seed pod and a potato. It appears that the bloodshot eye might be the result of the potato’s early fermenting into vodka.
My final photo is of one of the main gems in Philadelphia. In the Curtis Building, across from Independence Hall, is a magnificent work of art that few seem to know about. “The Dream Garden,” a mural made of 100,000 pieces of hand blown glass, was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, based on a landscape by Maxfield Parrish. It’s 15 feet tall and 49 feet wide, and is breathtakingly beautiful!
Don’t forget to send me your good wildlife photos, as we run through them pretty quickly here.
Today’s photos come from James Blilie, and they’re “street photos,” which count as wildlife. I’ve indented James’s captions:
Inspired by Joe Routon’s photos today, here are some street photos I took over the years, for your consideration.
The majority are scans of Kodachrome 64 slides I shot while traveling the world. One friend and I rode bicycles around the world in 1990-1992.
First, though, a few newer ones.
Waiters, outside a Paris restaurant, taking a break before the dinner rush. July 2010.
A view of Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA. April 2018. It seemed like Bourbon Street never was quiet. This is midday, well before the serious drinking gets going.
A sunset shot at the Champs de Mars, Paris, July 2018.
Hikers, climbing up Ayer’s Rock (Uluru). It’s very steep, and even with shoes with good, rubber soles, there were a few spots where I was glad of the chain, leading up the ridge. We saw women in leather-soled, spike-heels going up this! (I don’t think climbing it is allowed anymore).
Smiles on the road in Fiji (main island), 1990:
Sign-painter in old-town Singapore. I doubt much is left of the old town. It was rapidly going away, even when we were there 29(!) years ago.
Girl, caring for her younger sibling. Nepal, July 1991.
Woman transplanting rice, rural Nepal, July 1991.
Boys, sleeping on the street, Kathmandu, Nepal, July 1991.
Boys with birds. On the Annapurna Circuit trail – back when it still took one three weeks (at a moderate pace) to complete this long hike around the Annapurna massif. July 1991. We did it during the monsoon. We didn’t get as many mountain views as one would pre- or post-monsoon; but, aside from the leeches, we loved it. It was warmer over the high pass and we had the trail to ourselves. We only saw four other western parties in the entire three weeks; and two of them were solo hikers and they joined us for companionship and safety.
Tattooed young man, Bangkok, Thailand, 1991.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, Oct. 1991. Pentax A 16mm f/2.8 fisheye lens.
Finally, my hands in my cycling gloves after 4000+ miles on them in all weathers. This was taken in the Orkney Islands, August 1992. This was just before I replaced them with a new pair, mailed to me from home by my parents.
Today we have more street photography from Joe Routon, whose captions are indented. (Remember, good street photography counts as wildlife.)
Jerry, in one of your recent newsletters you mentioned that you admire the work of Cartier-Bresson so I thought you might like to see some of my street photography.
When I’m roaming the streets with my camera, I’m searching for something that tells a story and evokes an inward response.
When I first noticed this man and his sign on the street, I desperately wanted to take his picture. But, he was very intimidating, so I hesitated. In fact, I walked by him four or five times, trying to summon up the courage to ask him if I could take his photo. When I finally took the plunge, I was relieved when he smiled and said, “Sure.” After I had taken several photos, I expected him to extend his palm for some kind of fee. Instead of asking for any money, he wished me a good day. Thrilled to get the photo, I reached into my wallet and retrieved a ten dollar bill for him.
I made this photo from our hotel room in Estonia. The young lady was not quite as romantically involved as her boyfriend.
Here are young girls keeping cool on a hot day.
When we travel, I’m always on the lookout for street photos. I made this one of a barber in India.
While doing some shopping in a grocery store, I happened upon this lady. It takes a person with courage and nerves of steel to approach someone wearing a “No Photos Please” shirt and ask to take a photo. I have neither courage nor nerves of steel, but I absolutely had to have that picture, so I asked. The sweet lady laughed and nodded. With the help of photography, I’m gradually learning to overcome my shyness.
Please send in your wildlife photos, which can include, as they do today, street photography (landscapes are also acceptable). Today’s batch of people photos comes from biologist Joe Dickinson, whose notes are indented:
This is a street musician in Bergen, Norway.
Another musician, this one from a pub in Cliffden, Ireland. We love the Irish tradition of musicians going to the local pub on a Saturday evening and jamming with whoever shows up. “Do you know tune X?” “I think so, hum a few bars. OK, got it. What key?”
This is one of the very life-like Egyptian funerary portraits on display in the British Museum.
This young lady in Nara, Japan was very proud of her fine geisha outfit. My notes say it was her seventh birthday. Every kid we encountered in Japan flashed the V.
This shot of a colleague in Biology at the University of Utah was captured at a party celebrating the end of my term as Department Chair. The caption was added by other colleagues.
This mandrill was just too handsome to leave out. Don’t be concerned with what his left hand was doing
This young lady at a school we visited near Victoria Falls was very happy with a simple gift someone had brought along. We had been instructed to bring school supplies but this was a much bigger hit.
Also near Victoria Falls, it was notable that rather young kids were charged with the care of younger siblings.
Reputedly the oldest man in this village, this gentleman turned out to be exactly my age.
This and the following are aboriginal women selling crafts at an outdoor market in the Australian Outback. The colorful sticks the first woman is holding, used to beat out a rhythm for dancing or chanting, now reside in an alcove in our living room.
Finally, my granddaughter making the most of a root beer at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
I importune you again to send in your wildlife photos. I have a decent backlog, but remember that it depletes at the rate of seven posts per week.
Today we are again counting “street photography” (one of my favorite genres of photos) as “wildlife photography.” And Joe Routon contributes some lovely photos. His comments are indented.
Here are men in Morocco having a serious discussion.
If I see a person who has an interesting face, I’ll ask if I can take a “street portrait.” Here’s one from India.
This was in France. I was immediately attracted to the colorful sheets, so this one is in color.
One of my street photos during a demonstration. It’s hard to tell if the child’s ears are being blasted or if he’s intently feeling the emotion and the message of the moment. His hands seem to be signaling “Hold it down! Hold it down!”
Young love in Prague.
A baby-carrier in Myanmar.
Jerry, this is one that you’ll appreciate, but you probably won’t want to include it. [JAC: Of course I included it!] I shot it during the National Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. A group from “the most obnoxious and rabid hate group in America,” Westboro Baptist Church, from Topeka, Kansas, was on hand to demonstrate and create havoc. They’re the ones who spew hatred—their web site is “God Hates Fags,” and they regularly disrupt military funerals and other solemn, meaningful events.
So, while they were preaching vitriolic venom over their loudspeakers, others were giving them a hard time. Notice the sign that one person was holding in front of them, “I love sinning,” and over on the left side is a guy with a green trombone blaring out, completely obliterating the poisonous, bitter “preaching.” It was very entertaining.
