Just About Everything

Streak throated Woodpecker at CKBS Kolkata Chintamani Kar bird sanctuary (CKBS), is located quite close to South Kolkata. Birders in Kolkata frequent CKBS quite often because of the wide variety of birds that can be sighted. Chintamani Kar bird sanctuary (CKBS) is around 12 kms from Eastern Metropolitan Bypass and takes around 15 mins by car. My cousin, Soma, who is an active birder, captured some interesting birding activity last month. With the mercury hitting the highest high last month, Kolkata was burning! I am sharing some pictures that she took. The birds in the pictures are bathing and quenching their thirst.  Some of the birds that she sighted are Streak throated Woodpecker , Common Mynah,Red vented Bulbul, Jungle Babblers, Asian Pied Starling, Orange headed Thrush, Oriental Magpie Robin, Slaty legged Crake, White breasted Waterhen, and White throated Fantail. I think it might be a good idea to keep a container filled with water in our gardens and...

Hampi is and will remain one of my favourite places as far as the anciet temple architechture goes. During my visit to Hampi last year, I also visited areas near Anegundi, very close to Hampi.This area's rocky structure was quite interesting too. I would love to explore more of this area next time I visit Hampi. Some of the popular places to see in this area are: The Anjaneya hill near Anegundi is believed to be the birth place of Hanuman (We could not trek the hill, did not have time... may be next time), and Pampa Sarovara. This lake is located in the south of the river Tungabhadra. It is one of the five sacred lakes in India. Pampa Sarovar has been mentioned in the epic Ramayana as well. Birth place of Hanuman, Anjayaneya hill Anegundi area, karnataka Areas near Hampi, karnataka Pampa Sarovara near Hampi A tribal woman near Pampa Sarovara

I love Kolkata, there is no doubt about it. The city has always been nice to me, there is still a sense of security and comfort about the city. I remember when I was out of Kolkata for about 10 months or so, I really missed it. I missed it even more when I had trouble commuting. I don't think there is any other city that provides such a lot of options in terms of public transport, Bus, trams, autos, metro, local trains, taxis, cycle rickshaws... I would wait for autos and they would refuse to go or charge an exorbitant amount and even then you may not get dropped till your doorstep. I used to want to come back to Kolkata because no matter I would always get taxis to anywhere. There has never ever been a problem as far as commuting in Kolkata goes. It has been quite a few years since then, and I may be changing my opinion on that. Last Friday I went through an experience that I think many Kolkattans face these days. I did not have the car with me. When I came out of my office...