Yorkshire Nov 2015

Yorkshire Nov 2015

York for short. The city has 2000 years of history, since invasion of Romans. It has retained its historical buildings, castles, and part of fortress,  ruins - some of them though. It is said, they have retained the streets in which shoppers were selling 2000 years ago, intact.

Old styled Brick buildings all over. No high rise buildings.

No vehicular movements on crowded streets meant for shops. Very clean and neat. 

Shambles the shopping street. 

Railway station York

River Ouse that flows across the city

 Some nice old building

 A busy street corner in the town

 York Museum . It preserves the Cawood Sword and has four set of collections covering biology, geology, archaeology and bit of astronomy. I did not take many pictures inside. It has plenty of artifacts, gold jewelry pieces, ancient coins, pots and what not.


The York Museum Gardens are botanic garden in center of York. It is beside river Ouse and next to the Museum. It covers an area of Ten acres of the former grounds of St Mary's Abbey and were created in 1830. 

Below one is old observatory and Roman multangular tower. 

 St. Mary's Abbey

Garden in the area

The garden is known as Squirrels Trail. Many Grey Squirrels move around freely. Wonderful playful ones always finding some nut to munch. They are quite fearless and approach you to get some nuts or something. They come near and pick a nut from your hand.  

 It is almost end of autumn, waiting to receive snow.

Autumn in Switzerland

Autumn is almost getting over in Switzerland.
I visited Switzerland last week. Stayed at Montruex. It is located along the Geneva lake. The path along this lake is very beautiful.

I had almost half a day with me. Took a walk in woods to get deeper glimpse of autumn.

Trees start shedding and turn bright yellow and golden color.

As usual everything is neat, clean, beautiful. Disciplined people, traffic.

Fallen leaves everywhere but main roads get cleaned by dedicated crew equipped with mechanized tools and vehicles.

Only littered things are cigarette butt in around the smoking area. Most people seem to smoke.

What else ? It is the same sad feeling when I recall the state of affairs of my beloved country India.

Along the Geneva lake. 

Whole tree turns golden yellow

Road in front of the place we stayed. 

During night along the lake path

View of Lake from Mt. Pelerin. Mt. Pelerin is a short trek route at about 1080 mtr altitude. A small train takes you up hill and from there you can trek for about 5 km in Pine forest. 

Long weekend with Birds

It is a long week end again. 

Birding time at Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, near Gurgaon. 

It is 15 km from Gurgaon, (50 KM from Delhi) towards Faruknagar. The area is about 1.5 sq Km, huge water body, and marshy land. 

With winter approaching the birds also start visiting. 

Plenty of water birds. 

You can find many other birds too in different times of the year. However you will find maximum birds during winter time. 

This is Purple Heron standing atop for long. It did not move for few hours. 

Flamingo seemingly in conversation with a coot. 

 Sad part is that this flamingo does not have left wing, or partially cut. Pity.

 Painted Stork in flight. Some were busy nurturing their baby, Some were hatching their eggs, some were found trying to build their nests.

World summit ?

Egret spreading its wings

Egrets in flight mode

Black Headed Ibis. 

Heron waiting for its prey.

Bee Eater

 Common Hoopoe. It has a very nice crown, looks like hand folding fan.