Long week end again.

This weekend is long again. I decided to venture out - this time outskirts of Delhi, quite far from place where I lived. Yamuna Bio Diversity park. I knew this is not season for birds. However I wanted to walk around the green and spot some birds. 

This one is a lovely green bee eater.

Two cormorants in animated talk I believe.

This tiny, chirpy long tailed bird is plain prinia. 

This one is a shikra. Look at the second picture. It can turn its head about 180 Degree.

For those who wish to visit (visit during winter if you are looking for migratory birds)  - Saturday and Sunday it is not open. (do not ask me whose great idea is this not to open on week end) After crossing Yamuna (river ! rather Nalla) Take straight (not left) small lane and ask some one. (do not follow blindly the google map. It will take you through left through a muddy, narrow, dirty lane and to wrong park!). There are two Yamuna bio diversity parks. Phase 1 and 2 I understood. Phase 1 is right one. Phase 2 is vast waste land. 

Surprisingly the custodian there said that it is not open for public but he let me in. I saw he let many others in too. He does not allow you to move around on your own. He asks one of his employees to walk you through (which I did not like, I like to move on my own, wait, watch and click pictures).  I have no idea asto why you are not allowed move on your own. May be he has some places where he does not want us to go !? or pure safety issue ??

Long weekends

This year is full of long week ends i understood. This week, next week and many more long week ends. My home town is 2000 Km away. I can not think of going home during week ends. 

I thought it is good opportunity to move around in the wild nature nearby. 

Well, There are not thick forest around Gurgaon. However there are few bio diversity parks and bird sanctuary. 

Look at this "would be" butterfly. May be it is preparing to form its cocoon. Soon it becomes a wonderful butterfly I am sure. May be next month I get to meet her again ! 

This one is a cormorant, a commonly found water bird. Normally they take a dip  in the water (to find their food - the fish I believe) and then sit under the sun spreading the wings. This one was lazy I think. 

Indian Black IBIS. Searching for fish in the shallow water.

Then it takes off

Rose Ringed Parakeet. Indian Ringneck parrot. 

For me this a nice parrot, frowning at me

sitting pretty cool, posing ...

 and then takes off,

Do not get me wrong - I am no Salim Ali. I just do some googling and read some Wikipedia to find out the more about the lovely creations of god. I just  enjoy the time being  with lovely nature. 

Color of winter

The mother nature has many wonderful colors.

Especially cold climate places - color changes with  season.
Winter  - White all over. Summer - Green and lot of other colors (flowers). Autumn opens up yellow and brown.

It is really marvelous to feel and experience it.

Week before last I was in Kharkiv, Ukraine for a week. It was - 5 'c minus. It was snowing all over.

Look at the white velvety layer here.

Look at this one taken earlier during summer. What a contrast. These are of course not exactly the same place, but in the same region.

Long walk through white snow.

Dry snow resting on the dried up flower

This cute little bird, (great tit) chirping and hopping even in the harsh winter. Well,  it was harsh for me.

Winter time in Gurgaon. Some days are sunny. It is good to walk around if the day is bit warm and sunny.
Yeah, last two weekends I picked up my camera and moved around. First to local bio diversity park and then a nearby bird sanctuary.

In bio diversity park, I had a surprise - a cute owlet in broad day light. It was sitting pretty tight, looking straight into me !

Another cute one was red munia. They were many in group.

Red Munia

In bird sanctuary It was fun to follow many birds. I spotted kingfisher, shrike, and one of the tallest type of birds -Sarus too.

Tailed Shrike

Cute Little  Stonechat 

Sarus the tallest bird, one hiding behind. This was almost 4.5 ft height

They are said to be always in pair

Lovely kingfisher

Nilgai Male

Nilgai female.

Beginning of Winter in Switzerland and Ray of hope in India

I spent last two weeks in Vevey, Switzerland on an official training course at our International center. Winter time. Winter was yet to be in full stream. Snow was about to start. It was quite chilled &  cloudy though. Some days during noon it was sunny and beautiful.
As usual it was all fine, neat, ultra clean, good, on time, no uncertainty and wonderful colors. At times it is irritatingly silent over there. Switzerland seems to change color with season.
But how is it related to ray of hope in India. You must be wondering !
I was told by one of my colleagues who is  staying in Switzerland that he lost his debit card in a shopping mall. He next day went back to "lost & found" counter in the mall and the guy there promptly handed back the card.

Today my son (in Gurgaon) lost his high end cell phone in the autorikshaw. Some one who found it called him and handed over to nearest Metro station control room. My son went to metro station and collected it from the control room !
Is it not a reason to feel good and keep the hope going up ? I think so.
Now enjoy some pictures.

Look at our international Training Center

 Tree shedding the leaves.........

Colorful Tree. Actually It is shedding....

Silent walk on the lake side.

The castle. I am sure there are many such castles in India. But the way Swiss guys glorify even such small places also to great extent. They promote tourism in real sense. Information, train / bus tickets any info is available. Huge number of visitors throng the place. Every arrangement is made to please and comfort  the tourist. 

I did not see any names scribbled / etched  on walls of the castle. 

Bed of Flowers from Taiwan

I have lot of stuff from this visit of Taiwan. Huge flower show of the season. Here are some wonderful piece of arts from the nature.