Monday, July 26, 2010

A drive on the way to Basanti, Sunderbans, West Bengal, India

Decided to get up very early last weekend....I have been much too lazy:(
Just don't feel like getting up early in the morning. This morning was different however... We got up at around 4.30am and went on a long drive and get into some bird watching. We did not have a very fruitful day bird watching wise...but we enjoyed the drive a lot.

Long tailed Shrike


Ashy WoodSwallow

We did around 100 kms only. There is a lovely stretch from near Science city (in Kolkata) on the way to Basnati (towards Sunderbans) not very lovely to begin with...but gets better when we enter the vicinity of Sunderbans. Water bodies on either side of the road and lots of green. The monsoons making the green greener. I just love the monsoons...

We stopped at small little shops to sip hot tea and munch on hot samosas and jalebis...sometimes these little things make me feel so good...just feel happy to be alive.

Sharing some snaps that we captured during this drive...Long tailed Shrike, Ashy Woodswallows, white throated Kingfisher Hope you enjoy them. Till next time.


White Throated Kingfisher

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Colonies of Asian Openbill, Black-heahed Ibis and Intermediate Egrets

Posting some more bird pictures. Some of these birds are endanged. These have been captured by Soma Jha.

Intermediate Egret


Asian Openbill, Black-heahed Ibis and Intermediate Egrets that breed in some villages near Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India during the monsoon months.

The Ibis is endangered.

Black Headed Ibis




Asian Openbill

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Tunganath temple, Uttarakhand, India


Tunganath Trek

Some more pictures captured by Soma during her trip to Uttarakhand. The Shiv temple at Tunganath, is one of the five kedars- others being Kedarnath, Madamaheshwar,Rudranath Kalpnath. Tunganath is at an altitude of 12,140 ft and can be reached after a 3 and a half km trek from Chopta. Tunganath temple
Shiv temple at Tunganath
is not as frequented as the temples in the other kedars.


On the way to Tunganath


Bugyal or meadow

According to a popular legend, Pandavas were seeking the blessing of Lord Shiva in order to do penance for their sins of Kurukshetra. Shiva kept avoiding them. While escaping he took the form of a bull, according to the legend, different parts of the bull's body appeared at the five kedars.The bull's hump appeared in Kedarnath, his belly in Madmaheshwar Temple, his limbs appeared in Tungnath, his head made an appearance at the Kalpeshwar Temple and finally his face appeared at the Rudranath Temple. A pilgimage of all the five shrines is considered very holi for Hindus.


Tunganath Trek

Beautiful birds of Uttarakhand

Posting some absolutely beautiful pictures clicked by my cousin Soma, who is an avid birdwatcher. She had a wonderful trip to Uttarakhand recently.

The birding trip was organised by Mr Yashpal Negi a bird expert, who runs the Mandakini Birdwatchers Camp at Kakragad, Uttarakhand located 40 km from Chopta (chopta is the nearest road head)and 33 km from Devprayag.
Blue Capped Rock Thrush

The Himalayan Monal was seen near the Shiv temple at Tunganath.

Pika (with a baby) is a hamster like mammal found in high altitudes.

Rufous Bellied Woodpecker