Awe-inspiring Bird Sanctuary “THOL LAKE” Gujarat.

Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary Gujarat

The Thol Bird Sanctuary declared officially in 1988, is a shallow freshwater body encircled by marshes and sparse thorny shrubs and trees. The Sanctuary being compact with an area of less than 10 square kilometres is an ideal place to visit as one gets to see a visual treat of over 100 odd bird species, a memorable experience for the birders. One gets overawed by the different flocks of birds descending and taking off from this shallow water body.

I spent about three hours hoofing it around various parts of the lake to get as close to the birds as possible to get some decent snaps, being a Saturday this place was visited by quite a few rowdy teenagers who had come there to picnic. I believe this place is used by a large majority of the local populace as an outing avenue or for a weekend picnic. I saw very few birders on my visit there that day. Hope to go there soon to spend some more time with the enthralling and enchanting wild birds. Here are some of the photographs I took that day, Happy viewing.

 Awe-inspiring scene

 Breathtaking  

 Geese 

 Ducks 

Mixed Bag 

 Asian Open Bill

 Black Drongo 

 Black Ibis

 Black Ibis

 

Black Kite 

 Black Kite

 Black Kite

Black tailed godwit

Black tailed godwit 

Black-headed Ibis

Black-headed Ibis

Comb Duck

Common Coot

Cormorants

Eurasian Spoonbill

Gadwall

Gadwall

Grey Heron 

Grey Heron

Great Egret

Green Bee-eater

Indian  Roller

Painted Stork

Pond Heron  

Spot-billed Duck

Stonechat 

 Common Babbler

 Common Babbler

 Little Grebe

 Relaxing 

Wire-tailed Swallow 

My Ahmedabad trip to Vibrant Gujarat

5^th Vibrant Gujarat Summit

I had gone to Ahmedabad on the 7^th to pay my respects to the passing away of Christina’s father-in-law. I caught the early morning bus and was in the city by 11. The entire city was abuzz with teams of labourers getting the place into top shape or, from my viewpoint, window dressing or a massive facelift.

On reaching my dear friend's place at Shahibaug I enquired about the frenzied activity that was taking place in the city, he laughed and said don’t you keep up with the news It’s the 5^th Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Modi’s Pet Love project, this summit aims to facilitate deals for the taking partaking part countries; it’s an ideal podium to explore business prospects in Gujarat. It slated the summit for January 12/13, 2011 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar; I believe it will be the biggest and most significant of all conferences.

Shahibaug is a lovely place in this emerging mega city for an evening stroll. I had gone out to stretch my legs and while returning, was witness to an unusual scene; scene; the street leading under the bridge to Shahi baug was a scene of chaotic activity. Frantic activity. Frantic police personnel who were on their wireless phones immediately cleared all frantic traffic, shouting instructions to one another and to the pedestrians to steer clear of the roads. It surprised me to hear that the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi was to pass that way in his motor cascade. I was dying to reach for my camera slung on my waist to take a brief clip of the frenzied scene that unfurled before me, but prudence prevailed as I did not want to be hauled up by some excited cop for overstepping …..

The scene occurred around 6.40 p.m. around the circle in the photograph posted below.

The Chief Minister inaugurated an overhead bridge in this area; this bridge ran into a few snares between various departments and hence it took ten odd extra months for its completion. Tomorrow I’ll post my day out at the bird sanctuary ‘Thol’

My Abu Road (Abroad) trip

Even though Abu Road is only 28Km away at the foot of Mount Abu I kind of avoid going to it, hence I have termed it “going Abroad” .I had gone down on the 3^rd Jan to have my scooter serviced and also to renew my driving license that was going to expire on the 5^th of Jan.

On reaching the RTO’s office I was told it was closed as the national flag was at half mast, as veteran Congressman and former Lok Sabha Speaker Bali Ram Bhagat had passed away. I was told to come back the next day

The next day I made it down the hill with a colleague of mine and decided to go down on his bike. As luck would have it we ended up with a puncture on the last lap of our journey, we had to hoof it down the hill for almost a kilometer before getting the puncture fixed. The tube was in a deplorable state and had to be replaced. My friend had to catch a chakada a three wheeler and head into town to get a new tube. Imagine it took one and a half hours to be on the road again! ABROAD!!

We got to the office in time finished the formalities in 5 min, and headed back up the hill it was cold driving back, well it’s expected its winter here. I did take some snaps on the way have a   dekho!!

 Camel Rock

 Dog Rock

Indian Robin 

The next day 5^th Jan went to school to meet Brother Gail to wish him for the New Year. It was a great pleasure meeting him and while I was there I also took some snaps I’m sure they are of some interest especially to anyone connected with the school.

 Water trough for the birds Brothers Cottage

 The heartaches of the school

School pets

Sophisticated electronic weather vane

To Get an accurate weather report do drop the school a line and you will be updated with the latest on the climate at the school. 

03 Jan 2010 Me my camera & freezing Cold Mt.Abu

They say "A Picture is worth a thousand words", Mates I'm posting some pictures I took yesterday and some early this morning braving the cold and freezing climate to the comfort of my warm bed. So feast your eyes and experience the cold through my snaps.

Anyone care to eat on an ice plate 

Frozen Fields 

The fields behind my house all frozen

The firing range on the way to Gyan Sarovar

The obstacle course all frozen on the army ground

Frozen shrubs 

The stream in front of my house

Our Jawans on the Army ground

Anyone for a free cold drive

Frozen bottles

 Shucks the Future looks so Far Away

 To All my Mates A Very Happy New Yea

 Snatched it out of the mouth of the Tree Pie

 How do you grade me?

 Relax man I'm Nuteral

 Drongos

I'm off for Greener pastures 

What a way to start the New Year!! Reply With a Bang

Mallard pair

What are you doing on my rock?

Tree Pie

Wild Ducks on the way to Achalgarh

Our guests from Abroad 

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MOUNT ABU

I make no resolutions for the New Year. I live for the day making the most of it, so to formulate a habit of making plans, of appraising, indorsing and molding my life, is too much for a me, a carefree fun loving individual. Most New Year resolutions I have learnt over the years, is based on wishful thinking. It’ easy to make a resolution but to live up to it is a different ball game. Quite a few are made on the spur of the moment, some out of sheer ego and a lot based on emotion. The odds are stacked against you as one ignores how unprepared one is to achieve them.

As a youth I did make umpteen resolutions, but after a short while like the playful kitten my interest always shifted its focus to what was commanding my surroundings. Life is far too short to live by some resolutions that tie you down, and believe me most are made to try and improve one’s life.

I’m sure a large majority of you who may be reading my rambling have made some sort of a New Year resolution. Good luck to you. Do drop me a line and let me know how far you succeeded in reaching you goal.