Just About Everything

Desert Wheatear Two very unusual winter visitors were sighted in Kolkata's Rajarhat area. It is a well known-fact that birds migrate to warmer climate during winter, and some of the  migratory birds that are usually sighted during winter in Kolkata and nearby areas are ducks and waders of different kinds, shrikes, wagtails, flycatchers, and a few  others.  But these two visitors have taken the birdwatchers in Kolkata by surprise. The Desert Wheatear which, by its very name, suggests that they are found mainly in  Rajasthan, Gujarat and Ladakh. It is quite surprising how such a bird could land up here right in the heart of the city! You can spot this bird in the midst of all the  construction work that is happening in Rajarhat. I guess that is because there is still some greenery left there. I wonder what will happen to these birds once all the  greenery disappears... The Dark-throated Thrush, usually seen in the Himalayas, and so far could be se...

Purple Sunbird in my garden This week was quite exciting in terms of sighting birds. Not in terms of sighting uncommon birds though. Typically I only get to see crows and sparrows in my garden so I was elated to spot some other varieties as well. I was lucky to sight purple sunbirds in my garden, and also a kingfisher, and a black kite near my house. All this from the comfort of my terrace! What fun! These pictures are not great, I wasn't really prepared for birding, and took these snaps from a 7X camera. Purple sunbird female white throated Kingfisher Black Kite

Mustard field Happy Independence day! This independence day I thought I would share some random pictures of nature. These are pictures from our many trips in and around Kolkata. I feel a sense of  complete freedom whenever I am close to nature. It feels wonderfully peaceful and therapeutic. I feel completely free of worries... The beauty never ceases to amaze me and, more importantly, the thought that no one quite owns this beauty. We are all free to own it, it is ours to experience any time we wish to. It is indeed exhilarating. Sunderbans  Birds West Bengal  Found this cute couple on the way to Sunderbans Birds in Sunderbans, West Bengal White breasted Kingfisher West Bengal