Aug 31, 2012

Colorful Skies- Sunset Halo at Fremont Peak

I love this picture ... not because of the colors, because of the halo effect! No, it is not natural ... The sky was colorful but the pictures weren't coming great because sun was too bright! I used a stack of ND filters to reduce the brightness. The filter reflected light on the lens and the result is optics generated HALO! You see, below the sun is ocean of clouds reflecting the red light! 

Location is summit of Fremont Peak near  San Juan Bautista which is part of Gabilan range parallel to the central California coast. One weekend I camped here with a group. And happened to see Planet Saturn with the help of a telescope set up by a co-camper. It was really a thrilling experience.
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Aug 29, 2012

Birds- Ring Necked Parakeet



Indian Ring Necked (IRN) Parakeet- is a colorful and swift bird. They are one of the species that have survived deforestations and live in disturbed habitat. They are noisy birds. 

Also known as Rose Ringed Parakeets, these birds are popular as pets because they have the ability to mimic human speech. It seems ancient Greeks kept IRN as pets. They also show emotions like humans and adjust to family life. (info from Wiki).

I took this picture in Bilikal Reserve Forest near Hampi. It is lesser known birder's paradise. You will see more bird pictures from this place in coming posts.
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Aug 27, 2012

Modern Architecture- Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

I have always watched Travel Channel's Wonders of the World, Wonders of USA and similar programs. I wanted to visit all those wonders from all the countries. Living in San Francisco Bayarea provided me with an opportunity of driving over one of the Man-Made wonders of USA- Golden Gate Bridge every other weekend! American Society of Civil Engineers have declared it as one of the modern wonders of the world. This bridge is one of the most visited and photographed in USA.

Aug 24, 2012

Colorful Skies- Sunset at Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the picturesque lighthouses on California coast. It is one of the photographer's favorites. I was coming back from a photoshoot-meetup, driving on highway-1 at sunset and I happened to be near this lighthouse. The colorful sky in the background looked amazing! The quiet on the seashore except for the waves was soothing the soul.

The original lens of this lighthouse is illuminated once a year on first sunday of November. It is a wonderful sight!
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Aug 22, 2012

Birds- Spotted owl from Kanha National Park

I have posted a detailed report on Kanha National Park earlier. The place is bustling with birdlife. I happened to see many of them- endemic as well as migratory. Interesting were few species of owls. Here is one ... spotted owl peeping out of a hole ...
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Aug 20, 2012

Cities- Bhopal, The state capital of Madhya Pradesh


(Lakshmi Narayan Mandir)

Bhopal is state capital of Madhya Pradesh. A busy city with mixed cultures. I had to take bus from Omkareshwar to Indore (80KM) and then Indore to Bhopal (195KM). I had just missed the last morning AC coach that run between Indore and Bhopal operated by MP Tourism. For me journey in private buses wasn't fun anymore! I was very tired of the long tiring journey in that private bus! The bus stopped every two minutes almost anywhere there was a human standing on roadside! I reached Bhopal from Omkareshwar late afternoon. Took a budget hotel near the railway station. The room was okay but the food served in the vegetarian restaurant was good! Bhopal is a city and hence had to be careful choosing the hotel because every hotel looked sleazy. 

Aug 17, 2012

Colorful Skies- Volcanoes behind the mist


Isn't it fun when you cannot see where is the sky, where is the land and where you are heading to? Everything is covered with fog! Yes! That happened to me when I went Hiking down Haleakala Volcano in Haleakala National Park in Maui. I could see only the part of trail where I was keeping my foot and rest nothing. Once a while the fog got cleared for snapshots of these cinder cones. I hear, on clear days this landscape looks like from the Moon! Well, even on foggy day it wasn't looking any less than landscape from Moon!
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Aug 15, 2012

Birds- Yawning Anhinga


Birds have wonderful expressions that we could relate to human expressions. Yawning! I have observed, especially the cormorants and anhingas keep yawning or whatever act it is looks like a big yawn! See for yourself- This anhinga perched a bit high on a small tree was caught in the act!

Aug 13, 2012

Yatra- Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga, Mandhata

Omkareshwar is an island of shape Om, a Hindu religious symbol, formed by meeting of two rivers Narmada and Kaveri. It is known for a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva- Omkareshwara. The temple is one of the twelve revered Jyotirlinga shrines in India. 

Aug 10, 2012

Colorful Skies- Serene reflection at Loch Ness



Early morning at Loch Ness, Scotland. I was in Inverness few years ago and went on early morning walks on the banks of this mysterious and very popular Scottish loch. I always wondered what if that notorious Nessie (Loch Ness Monster considered to be a modern-day myth) comes up suddenly from those still waters! That never happened :)

I love this picture for three reasons-

1. It is simple with very few elements
2. No gaudy colors
3. Few lines

It reminds me the fact- simple things have greater impact on our lives! Nature un-manipulated!















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Aug 8, 2012

Call of the Wild- Kanha National Park


Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is one of the India's Tiger Lands and also is on the world tourism map. The  park, largest in central India, is well developed by Forest Department and also Tourism Department. But, the question is- how is this development affecting tigers? 

Aug 6, 2012

Off the beaten Track- Remote Rajasthan

It is always a fascinating experience to travel to a remote region of any country. And we happen to experience the true culture and authentic cuisine in these regions. I was in Rajasthan last year and here is my exhilarating experience in the Thar Desert! I had started this post soon after I returned but didn't happen to hit on publish until now! :)

Aug 3, 2012

Colorful Skies- Double Rainbow in Maui


Hawaii in December ... rain rain and rain ... when the sun shines in between those long showers one can enjoy rainbows. That day I was given with a bonus ... there were two on the way to Lahaina, Maui.
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Aug 1, 2012

Birds- Red Wattled Lapwing

Red Wattled Lapwing or Large Plover is a common wading bird around the wetlands. Always seen in small groups and noisy in nature. It seems the bird sleeps on its back and with legs upwards, and hence in India there is a saying "Tithrise aasamaan thama jayega?" which means Can a pee-wit support the heavens?- popularly used in referring to a person who tries to do a task which is beyond his capability. (info from Wiki).

I loved shooting these birds at Bilikal Reserve Forest near Hampi, Karnataka, India.
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