बस यूँही…….

.
.
The big cat is the pride of India’s conservation effort. One Governmental effort that started exactly 50 years ago and is a success story today.
.
Human stupidity, cruelty and the resultant wanton killing of Tigers had brought the numbers down to around 1165. When the conservation effort started in earnest, numbers have thankfully steadily risen to more than 3150 now.
.
Just as we are celebrating 75 years of Independence, 75% of the global tiger population is in India. The expanse of tiger reserves across the country has also spread over 75,000 sq km besides witnessing a 75% increase in their population over the last 50 years
.
The most regal and powerful of the big cats, one sighting in its natural habitat is enough to fill one with awe and its majestic power is only too apparent..
.
#Project_Tiger
#Golden_Jubilee
#Magical_Nature
#Majestic_Animal
#Regal_Feline
#Pure_Joy

Advertisement

बस यूँही…..

.
.
The mountain ridge stood silently, the peaks standing in unison , looking down at me somewhat bemused by my visiting them yet again. Like us, Choco loves being outdoors too.
.
A sense of freedom, of peace, of soaking in the silence, barring the rustling of the leaves, the chirping of the birds, the whistling of the breeze….
.
Aah! That’s Nirvana….. You’re one with the Supreme being without having to shed your body to do it.
.
#Nonverbal_Communication
#Nature_Photography
#Serenity
#Silence
#Inspiration
#Introspection

मस्तूर: छुपी हुई, veiled

बस यूँही….

A quiet evening and plenty of solitude. Nature was wordless, serene, the Sun had retreated to its nocturnal abode bidding me goodnight and exhorting me to look into the Inner Universe. I made use of the opportunity to good effect. I was reminded of this lovely poem I must have read maybe 50 years ago.

Ode on Solitude
BY ALEXANDER POPE

Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease,
Together mixed; sweet recreation;
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.

A refreshing dive within helped me re-emerge recharged.

बस यूँही…..

.
.
The hornbill turned up on its favourite perch, the branch of the Gulmohar next to us. It stared at me as if to tell me something. Fortunately it wasn’t camera shy today and allowed some photographs. Some days it takes off at the glint of the lens.
.
The Indian Grey Hornbill is a common bird in India, mainly arboreal and is often seen in pairs. It has grey feathers all over the body with a light grey or dull white belly. The horn is black or dark grey with a casque extending to the point of curvature of the horn. It is one of the few hornbill species found in urban areas in many cities where they are able to make use of large trees in avenues.
.
The upper parts are greyish brown and there is a slight trace of a pale supercilium. The ear coverts are darker. The flight feathers of the wing are dark brown with a whitish tip. The tail has a white tip and a dark subterminal band.
.
They have a red iris and the eyelids have eyelashes. The casque is short and pointed.
.
.
The male has a larger casque on a dark bill, and the culmen and lower mandible are yellowish.
.
The bare skin around the eye is dark in the male, but sometimes pale reddish in females. The female has a more yellowish bill with black on the basal half and on the casque.
.
The juveniles lack the casque, and the bare skin around the eye is dull orange.
.
I was reminded of a poem I’d read a few days ago.

“Look at you”

By Megan Booysen

.
Look at you
Looking at me too
.
Look at you
Love,
Beautiful and true
.
Look at you
with love
Radiant and pure
.
Look at you
in love
Begging for the cure
.
Look at you
broken
Look at you
bent 
.
The key to love is not in breaking,
But in how we look again.
.
#Birds_in_our_backyard
#Nature_Photography

#The_Look
#Nonverbal_Communication

बस यूँही……

.
.
The reddish golden hue spread across the Western skies as the life giver star of our solar system (pun intended) got ready to call it a day.
.
A thin wisp of cloud wandered across it’s face, as if a veil covering it’s brilliant face from prying eyes as it readied to settle down for a night’s rest.
.
A most memorable, enchanting sight.
.
#Sunset_Photography
#Golden_Hour
#Memories_Of_Another_Day
#Memories
#Daily_Dose_of_ecstacy

Please ignore the date. This was created today, 17th May 2023. The date label is erroneous

बस यूँही…..

.
.
Sunrise and the golden orb’s appearance was preceded by molten gold spreading across the skies. The sun peeped out from behind the clouds, telling the world about the beginning of yet another day.
.
The sight was truly bewitching and transfixed me to the spot, taking in hungrily the everchanging beauty of yet another recurring phenomenon.
.
It is I who was fortunate enough to witness yet another instance of a daily miracle.
.
#Hope_Springs_Eternal
#Hopelessly_In_Love_With_Nature
#Horizon_On_Fire
#Sunrise_Photography
#Daily_Dose_of_ecstacy

बस यूँही……

.
.
These beautiful and delicate flowers  with wispy filamentous petals are a joy to watch.
.
For those who dare to devour or pluck them, there is adequate protection by way of stout, long and sharp thorns.
.
Acacia epitomizes life. You must accept the inevitable thorns if you want the flowers.
.
#Nature_photography
#Life_Lessons
#Beauty_All_Around
#Pleasure_And_Pain

बस यूँही……

.
.
The sun set after its daily trudge across the skies,and the darkness of the night descended immediately on the countryside.
.
The transformation was magical.
.
A cool breeze picked up and guided the birds home.
.
From the heat of the day, a cool darkness descended and gave much solace to every being. Thanks to the breeze, the night was cool with a distinct nip in the air, sending more than a few shivers down the spine.
.
#Cycle_Of_Life
#Magical_Nature
#Transformation
#Hopelessly_In_Love_With_Nature
#Food_For_Thought

बस यूँही…….

.
.
The storm clouds gathered in the skies eclipsing the sun. The play between the two was very captivating and enchanting. The skies were covered with various shades of grey as the sun peeped between the clouds intermittently as if to check if all was well with the world.
.
I spent hours looking at the celestial dance, fascinated and transfixed.
.
#Storm_Clouds_Gather
#Heavenly_Signs
#Hopelessly_In_Love_With_Nature
#Enchantment

अज़्म: संकल्प, इरादा;   
सलीका:  योग्यता, लियाकत
हिमायत: तरफदारी, advocacy

बस यूँही……..

.
.
The feeling of purity and piety that a white jasmine conveys is unmatched.
.
With an uncomplicated, simple structure, and a unique mild fragrance, it is truly a flower that creates the right vibes.
.
Flowers are nature’s media for cleansing one’s thoughts and invoking the right ones..
.
#Flowers_In_our_Garden
#Simplicity
#Beauty_All_Around
#Food_For_Thought