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Postcards from Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – GuestPost by Shalzmojo

December 13, 2017
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I am quite an avid birding buff and couple that with a love for photography, you have a deadly combination for sure. It this passion which saw me drive off to a day’s trip to Bharatpur Bird sanctuary which is a short drive of about 180 kms from Gurgaon and took us about three hours to complete.

We started early at about 5 am to make it in good stead to reach there when the birds settle around to enjoy the sun peeking about. It promised to be a good winter morning with some amount of fog which was punctured in places with clear stretches. The sight of lush golden heads of the mustard flowers invited us to stop for a tea break and take a few snapshots for the album.

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Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

This is actually a 250 years old sanctuary and has also been declared a world heritage site as it’s one of the best migratory birding areas in the world. Its name was changed to Kaladeo Ghana bird park, dedicating it to the local deity Kaladeo (Shiva) temple which lies within its boundaries.
It’s a natural wetland, making it a hot favourite of about 250 species of birds. Thick dense Acacia trees provide generous cover for building nests and roosting to the birds while the marshland provides with ample water and food.
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The Bharatpur bird park opens from sunrise to sunset all the year around with an official close in the months of May and June. One can drive their vehicle for about 2 kms inside the park from where one can walk on the central pathway, take a Tonga, a cycle rickshaw or opt for cycles. The central pathway splits the park into two and one has a hard time deciding which side one wants to peruse eagerly. I was lucky to spot a Purple Heron in the motions of searching for his breakfast which he did with great ease. This is one of my most prized shots from that trip.
bharatpurAfter that it was a rock and roll for the birds as they were out in droves to preen and pose for all the bird enthusiasts and ornithologists who were out in a major number to sight and record the birds.
This is a common Kingfisher which is about the size of one’s fist and it was perched on a branch just by the pathway, absorbed in deep thought to enable me to take such a close shot of it. I was simply blown away by its stunning colours. I could hear someone jokingly saying “Look Vijay Mallaya” – I guess this is the bird used in the logo of the Kingfisher brand 😉
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A huge gaggle of painted stork sat atop a mound in the waters and made quite a racket with their calling out.
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I was spooked by this thing in the water bed as I thought it was a crocodile from afar – I certainly didn’t want to be a reptile’s breakfast 😉 But on closer inspection it turned out to be the skull of a buffalo – it’s pretty huge and I wondered at the size of the actual animal! What do you think?
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I love sighting the Kingfishers as they make a pretty colourful spectacle, especially when they fly about as their jewel tones simply glint in the sunlight. This one is the White breasted Kingfisher which is a much more common sight in Gurgaon than the Common kingfisher (talk about an oxymoron) 😉 By the way this is a lot bigger in size than the latter
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A red vented bulbul trilled out from a tree branch making me zoom on it instantly. I loved this shot which came out crystal clear. I guess the birds are very used to the camera sounds and crowds of people as they were not easily spooked.
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The treepie was quite friendly and was frolicking in the canteen area where we went for a short break and some refreshments. This is commonly called the tiger’s toothpick as it perches on the tiger’s jaw to peck at its teeth to clean it of food particles stuck there. SO it gets a meal for free while the tiger getting a dental work out – win win for both
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Sated after six hours of walking and shooting in the park, we wound up our trip and headed home at around 3 pm since we wished to make it back in good time before dark fell and the fog took over. BTW Bharatpur bird park is as much a haven in the summer months as it is in the winter months. Summers sees the resident birds in full attendance while in winters the migratory flock comes visiting.

Do you enjoy bird watching? Have you ever been to a bird park before? Bharatpur Bird sanctuary for you.

About Shalzmojo

An interior designer by profession, writing is a passion which coupled with travel love blossomed into this blog where I love to just “do my thing”! Be it recipes, food events, travel jaunts, fiction dreaming or even meditative musings; all of it’s taken up quite passionately on my blog. I am a serious wine guzzler and love to chase butterflies in my free time.

bharatpur

This post is written for the December bloghop #mymojo with Shalzmojo

Linking up for #wordsante with Namysaysso for every post deserves some love
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P.S. – For my guest post on Shalini’s Blog click Melbourne Diaries

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Mindfulness and Happiness

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Mindfulness and Happiness– I am sure you have heard this word many times, so did I. But what exactly it transforms in the practical sense? We live in the world of contrasts, where mental stress is the main culprit of unhappiness over any other thing. The anxious mind and heart have conspired to make one big monster, and that is Mental Stress. We have allowed our brain a free run over things, that should not be even counted as botheration.

  • You leave for office on your scheduled time, but the traffic is worse. Your whole concentration will be on the watch and the frustration of not able to follow the set pattern. The body goes into stress and paranoid mind brings anxiety. These are symptoms of acute stress.
  • At the school parent-teacher meetings I have seen parents getting jumpy for the kid’s score-card. The already terrified child tries to hide inside the shell to save from undue humiliation. Comparing scores with the kid on the next seat and reacting as if the kid has just lost Presidential poll at the House of Parliament.
  • House-helps reporting time is 8.00 am, its already 10.30 and she hasn’t reported nor even called. Hysteria takes over and we end up dialing her number multiple times in 5 minutes. The first thing we ask her when she knocks the door – “Where were you, couldn’t you pick a damn phone!“

These are just few examples of ‘possible’ stress scenarios we face in daily life.

Mindlessness –

While having a nice cold coffee, your eyes and brain get fixated on something and you stare in oblivion. Or you are having a conversation, but suddenly the mind gets froze and you can’t recall what were you talking. This is my favorite, you are in the middle of one task and remember of something really important. You leave the task in hand, you do that ‘important‘ business and end up forgetting both. This is not any sign of mental illness, neither anything is wrong with your memory. This is called – MindLESSness.

Also read – Self Love

Coming back to my earlier point, we have so much burden on our mind, that it is doing everything except what its suppose to actually do. Guide us to become better, educate, gain knowledge, get powerful with positive energy.

What is Mindfulness and How to Practise it?

Mindfulness - act of living in the moment

It simply means, taking control over your mind consciously and keeping it in-the-moment scenario. You live in the moment, without thinking about the past, or future. Feel what is happening right now, think only what’s needed. You feel the presence of your surroundings, body, mind and soul as it is in the current moment.

“Paying attention; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.”


Kabat Zinn

The conscious effort to keep the mind attentive at one point, without any biased approach. That’s MINDFULNESS in contextual reference. Is it easy to practise? Do I follow it? Well, the answer to both the questions is NO (partially). It is not an easy task to achieve, the human mind is like a woman in her PMS days (it’s a sad PJ, sorry). So, coming back to our mind, it’s the most volatile thing and tough to have full control of. But Mental Yoga and Mindful Meditation are the ways one can achieve this.

Another way to carry on the mindfulness and happiness is, you deliberately put an effort and train your mind to avoid ‘unnecessary distractions’. I try my hand on this most of the times, sometimes I win at times lose, but will keep on trying.

Practise Meditation. Be Happy.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE –

© Dipika Singh. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.

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The Secret Crush – Last Chapter

September 10, 2023
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Aman has successfully imbalanced her equilibrium, and he is happy about it, which means she will be forced to think about him. It is going to be a long battle, he knows it but there is no way he is leaving the ground.

She doesn’t fit the definition of an ordinary middle-aged lady, her personality is composed but there is a fire in her – confidence and enigma that can make anyone taste the dust. In the last couple of years, he had never seen her showing a single moment of weakness – from whatever professional interactions he remembered.

He was concocting various scenarios of the situation when the phone rang. It was Father! What does he want now, he pondered. Half-heartedly he picked to answer, his father informed him about his arrival and that he would be staying at a friend’s place. He would like to meet personally and congratulate Aman for the admission placement.

Surprised by the uncalled show of emotions from his father, Aman agreed to meet him the next day.

Natasha was bewildered by her thoughts, many males had advanced in the past or tried to connect with her but she was never interested. What’s so different this time, she wondered! Is it because of the age gap, the young blood’s tenacity, or his eyes?

Lost in mental deliberation, she decided to stop this frail trail of discomfort and discontinue the ‘engagement dress’ project, it was not good for her. She must have a clear conscience and dedication to only one man – Vikram.

Vikram provided her the life she is living today, he was the reason she existed and fuelled her dreams to lead a respectable life. She is committed to him, and him alone. Her sacrifices seem too little for what Vikram had done to save her, he spent his entire life earnings to rescue her from the brothel. She was only 19 when her father sold her to earn a few favors from a matka-king.

Vikram found her bundled at a corner during one of his late-night lustful escapades and felt empathy to rescue a young lass in tatters. He provided her shelter, food, education, and belongingness. In return, she dedicated her life and self to him. They couldn’t marry as Vikram came from an upper caste and marriage was supposed to be an arrangement with benefits made by elders then.

She continued to be his lady of interest and their illicit affair was kept under wraps, Vikram never made her feel low and Natasha was a devoted lover. She had never taken any other man in, and now in the 44th year of her life, this young man has stifled her resolve.

Aman had received an email from Natasha’s studio about their inability to meet his requirements and details of the advance refund. Vexed by this sudden change of events, he decided to call Natasha.

‘Ms. Sahni, may I please know why my request has been rejected? Do you think I am not in the position to afford you?’ he blurted in frustration when Natasha picked up the phone.

‘Is that an accusation, Sir, if so, I will have to look into the entire conversation and set your facts right,’ she retorted.

Grasping his overreaction, he apologized and begged to review his request – ‘I have already informed my family, that your revered studio is providing my sister’s dress, Please don’t put me in a fix at the last minute, Ms. Sahni. I am leaving tomorrow for the USA to meet them, they’re expecting the dress to come with me’ he concluded sounding helpless.

Considering his plea genuine, she agreed to re-look and see what could be done. He was ecstatic already and decided to drop by her boutique soon. He likes seeing her perplexed.

Natasha never let her emotions take the front seat, she took a few deep breaths and asked her staff to do something fast about the dress. He is leaving tomorrow – a sudden flick of loss passed by her body.

Shit!

She kept herself busy for the rest of the day, It was late noon when the doorbell jingled – everyone looked up instantly expecting a certain young attractive fella to arrive to enquire about his special request.

‘Sir, please welcome! We were not expecting you – Ma’am didn’t mention anything about your arrival. Please come, what shall I get you – wine, sparking water?’ the receptionist was muddling with her words.

‘This is called ‘surprise’, Reema! I hope your madam also gets this jumpy seeing me,’ he said throwing his signature smirk.

What a fine-looking man, even in this age he is so appealing, thought Reema. Vikram is a tall well-built man with a fine-toned and chiseled body, thanks to all those early morning strength training hours. His salt-and-pepper hair makes him look sexy and his suave dressing style can give tough competition to any supermodel.

He went inside looking for Natasha, but she was too busy to even notice his arrival.

Vikram stood beside her, but she was towering over a human directing the intricate details to go on the sewing machine. He tapped over her shoulder, Natasha jumped a heartbeat seeing Vikram in front of her.

He laughed and pulled her in his arms, kissing her on the cheek swiftly, ‘I hope you liked my surprise, Natz.’ She couldn’t believe her eyes, they just met last week, Vikram hardly come down to New Delhi, nevertheless, it was a sweet surprise.

‘Welcome, you didn’t inform me, I should have met you at the airport or home,’ her reply was full of concern for him.

‘Oh! Come on, how would have I seen this reaction then. And trust me, more than you it was Reema who was shocked seeing me. Please tell me you are paying her well,’ Vikram said jokingly.

Vikram was holding her close, so close that she could feel his willingness. Her eyes dropped down, and a pink blush touched her cheeks. Even after 25 years of a steady steamy relationship, she still couldn’t completely accept the fact that he liked her body and soul.

He liked it when she got coy, showing him she still loved him. He grazed his fingers by her jaw and pulled her face when the front doorbell chimed. ‘Did we forget to close the studio?’ he enquired with staff in general.

‘Madam, the customer is here to talk to you regarding the special delivery’, Reema informed Natasha.

‘Oh! What’s that special delivery if I may ask, Madam?’ Vikram teased Natasha.

‘Urgent Engagement Dress for a sister by her brother, he called me when I was with you last week. We are delivering it by tomorrow. Give me a minute, I will be back,’ she informed Vikram.

He released the grip and let her move out of the embrace, She motioned Vikram to sit and proceeded towards the lobby. There he was, standing by the door – streaks of sunlight falling on him making his skin shine like diamonds. He was wearing a white linen shirt with open-top buttons and beige relaxed pants. Greek God! He is indeed very handsome, no wonder my girls can’t stop ogling at him, she thought.

She informed him about the progress of the dress and their commitment to delivering the next day, he kept looking at her eyes and moving lips, which made Natasha uncomfortable. No man can make her feel dizzy except Vikram, Why this man is gaining power over her consciousness?

He clapped on her hand to show his appreciation and a sudden jolt of electric current passed through her body. Unable to move her hand and stunned by his touch she was perplexed, he was saying something, but her mind was baffled.

It was only when Vikram walked into the room, she regained composure and pulled her hand back. Reema accompanied him filling in all the details about the special delivery, Vikram was not able to see the guy’s face clearly due to the sunlight falling from doors and windows.

Moving towards Natasha and the customer, Vikram pulled out his phone to call his son and fix the venue for their meeting.

Aman got his confirmation, his touch had an effect on her. Now, is the time to step up, he would ask her for a coffee. Wondering if that would be a good move or too early and risky stunt. He was contemplating the thoughts when his phone started ringing – Father. He cursed the timings.

He got up from the sofa to pick up the call, when found a stunned familiar face looking back at him from the other side of the room.

Father-son staring at each other with Natasha in the middle looking dumbfounded.

The End.

To read the previous part, please click here.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023

COPYRIGHT NOTICE –

@Dipika Singh Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger) with the right and specific direction to the original content.

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