Wanderers

"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien

Undeterred by the haze, Kiran sets his eyes on the target above...

In picture: Kiran Bhangare; Location: Karnala Bird Sanctuary

In picture: Mahesh Kondwilkar, Swarupa Amin, Kiran Bhangare, Vikas Kokare; Location: Morbe Dam

In picture: Nilesh Wanjari; Location: Morbe Dam

Some pictures of fellow birders taken during the HSBC Bird Race held on 21-02-2010.

For more pictures of the beautiful environ of Morbe Dam (an earthen dam in Karjat, near Mumbai) please see my Flickr stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelegendreturns/sets/72157623518410664/

Arthropods

Macro shots of some beautiful (?) creatures spotted at the Karnala Bird Sactuary.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary, located in Panvel near Mumbai, is a delight for bird watchers and trekkers alike. It is centred around the Karnala fort (its Thums Up like outline can be seen here http://mybioscope.blogspot.com/2009/03/thums-up.html). Despite being small in size (about 4.3 sq. Km.), it's a must visit during one's stay in Mumbai owing to the presence of number of resident and migratory species of birds. During the HSBC Bird Race (held on 21st Feb, 2010) we spotted around 25 species in couple of hours. Our count could have been higher if not for an hour lost owing to heavy mist which suddenly descended upon the place.

The place is, however, now under threat owing to a proposed express-way which will pass through it. I sincerely hope better sense prevails and we are able to preserve some of the last patches of green in and around Mumbai.

Moods of the sky

The above picture was taken at ISO 800.

God, the greatest painter of all, uses the Sky as His canvas to create some truly mesmerising effects.

Maghi Poornima (Full Moon)

(Picture as taken from Mumbai, Maharashtra)

Maghi Poornima (also called the Magha Poornima), the full moon day which marks the conclusion of the Hindu month of 'Magh', is considered very auspiscious in Northern India. Today, lakhs of devotees take a holy dip in the sacred waters of Ganges River as part of the rituals of the famous Maha Kumbha Mela.
Further gyan: I have also learnt that the moon appears the largest and brightest on this day.

Arabian tales

Aimless

Isn't that the way most of us are initially...

Solitude

Best time to contemplate and plan...

Retired hurt

So what if we sometimes end up that way...

Journey

Finally we find a way, the plan works and we are in motion...

Well no, I was not reading Peter Drucker today ! Even a casual observer of the Arabian Sea has so much to learn from it!

A visit to Photofair 2010

Photo frame mouldings (makes for an interesting abstract photo)

Collection of Photo frames (makes for an interesting abstract photo)

A visitor admiring the innovations of Nikon over the years

Hustle-bustle

Photofair, held in Mumbai, is supposedly the world's 3rd largest exhibition of photographic equipments and accessories. I visited it last Saturday (09/01/2010) along with my friends hoping to get the latest dope on technology and to get to know vendors for accessories I might need. However, the place was quite crowded and it was difficult to spend time at the stalls owing to the constant flow of people, which kept you on the toes. It took us over 4 hours only to tour the area. Surprisingly the exhibition, though housed with hundreds of stalls over a large area, didn't have a presence from Canon, Sony and filter manufacturers / distributors. Nikon, one of the sponsors of the event, had little on display and its stall appeared more like a gallery (see pic above).
The event also had intermittent fashion shows and Latin dance performances to titillate the visitors.

The exhibition, thus had little to offer to a travel photographer like me and was aimed more towards photographers who have a studio or are engaged in portrait / wedding photography. Nonetheless worth a visit.

First sunset of 2010

Another shot from my house. Picture of 2010's first sunset. Near the base of the tall building, nature appears to have made brush strokes in the sky with yellow colour. What a beautiful beginning to the new year!

Candle light dinner on New Year's eve

While the world was running after fancy (read expensive) DJ parties, we decided on a quiet dinner at home. Little did I know that it would turn out to be the best dinner I have ever had. My wife did up the place like a lounge - aromatic candles & flowers all around, piano on the stereo and drinks on the house! Its moments such as these that make a day special and it was truly a fantastic way to ring in the new year. A pleasant surprise for me!

Pictured above are some profile shots of my wife Sheetal.

Wish you all a healthy, wealthy and green 2010 from both of us.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Wishing you all, in advance, a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! May your dreams come true and you enjoy the best of health & love!

Violence & Peace

Even as the fiery sky threatens, the domes of this building stand serenely in mock defiance.

Took this shot from my home some months back.