Its been a long time since I had been to an outing, especially a successful and satisfying outing/expedition. This along with a few letdown related to work and few personal tasks or targets made me sulk into a deep marsh of disappointment. To top it off, even after several planning couldnot execute few expeditions due to some silly reasons(something that was out of my control) making me completely starved out for some form of a break, which ofcourse included Photography. Isnt it seriously maddening when u have a dream or is SHOWN A DREAM and it goes down the Sewer and u come to know there hasnt been a single fault of urs other than a mistake of believing in such a dream???
Well I couldnt just keep on sulking over it and had to keep myself moving so finally I gave up all hopes on others and made up a prompt decision to head off to a zoo located in the other side of Pune. Well this desperate move was also necessary as the collection for morning mails was fast depleting. Thanks to Rahul, my colleague cum photography buddy, for his review, I had very less think or worry about and laid out the plan for the Big Saturday. So finally the destination was Rajiv Gandhi Zoological park in Katraj, Pune. Apart from seeking meditation thru photography there was one more motto behind the trip. I always have been excited and keen at going in for a Wildlife Safari or atleast a walk through some dense forests enjoying the best recreational activity of photography and enjoying nature at its essence. But how do I know if the equipment I own right now is suitable for such a break? What are the advantages, limitations and what other stuffs do I have to get right??? The trip to Katraj zoo probably could be an eyeopener and shall answer these ambiguities.
And so on one fine Saturday I headed off to the Zoo. After almost a hour and a half of bus travel I landed right outside the gate of the Zoo, but the plan of just me and the animals was busted after watching the long line of families waiting to get the ticket. Disappointment straight off??? Well I had to kick the butt of it off me, so calmly waited and post 15mins I had a single ticket worth Rs.10/-. One good thing about the zoo I felt was the complete ban on plastics, but still could see few chumps sneaking in a few and aiding in the ever long cycle of crapping up the clean area...after all "How the hell they dare to keep the perimeter of the zoo clean man...We are bloody humans and we like the filth around...so lets litter all the way"..probably what Seinfeld would have gagged about...
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| The entrance, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajiv_Gandhi_Zoological_Park Check the link for brief history |
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| A baby monkey Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 -0.3step |
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| Have food... Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -0.3step |
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| An over-sighted Mother Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| Another baby feeding on leaves Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/125sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
Later came in the reptiles section, one of the core or ancestral part of the zoo. This section was welcomed by a yawning crocodile and was lucky enough to be there for that particular moment, though had to sneak through a crowd to get a clear shot.
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| Open mouthed reptile Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| Now close mouthed reptile Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
Next in line was a deep tank like enclosures that housed in various varieties of snakes. First enclosure had another phenomenon happening, it turned out that almost a 8-9feet long (probably some form of rat snake) almost stood straight covering the side wall and was almost near to escaping the enclosure, but this time I wasnt lucky enough to capture the panicky moment. Though one of the keeper's came in and made sure that the attempt to escape was not successful, without harming the reptilia. There were several other species of snakes in various well separated enclosures, but due to low lighting couldn't get very sharp and crisp photographs. Here are the few of the better ones of the lot
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| Peeping creeper Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/20sec ISO 1600 -1.3step |
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| Crawling off Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/30sec ISO 1600 -1.7step |
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| Another slithering beauty Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/40sec ISO 1600 -1.7step |
Apart from the snakes there were also few other reptiles as you can see in the following images
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| The oldie Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 1600 -1step |
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| Swimming in the air Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/560sec ISO 1600 -1step |
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| Sleeping beauty Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/30sec ISO 800 -1.3step |
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| A Gharial Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/80sec ISO 800 -0.3step |
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| Competing for the Chiller Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/100sec ISO 1600 -1step |
At the most beautiful spot in the zoo, near Katraj lake was the 'cage' of one of the most auspicious bird, our national bird Peacock along with few peahens. Though the position and the caging was so unusual that again I couldnt get great captures of them.
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| The beautiful National Bird Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -1.7step |
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| The Peahen Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -1.7step |
There were few more species of birds especially two types of owl but they were sitting far inside the dark cage, so couldnt get a clear shot of them.
Later came in all the animals on the other side of the zoo, but in
the mean time few days of mild rainfall had brought up some new life all
around the zoo areas and so came few freshly blossomed flower, and so
these are few of those flowers
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| Micro yellow Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -1.7step |
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| White beauty Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Refresher Exif: F/4.5 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -2step |
Kicked off the other section with this spiky beauty. This was followed by a range of animals from medium sized to the hefty tonners, from the most peaceful to the most ferocious. Enjoy the snaps of the range of animals from the other side of the zoo
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| Sleepy Hedgehog Exif: F/4.5 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -2step |
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| Close up Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -1step |
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| Playing around Beary boy :P around to the visitors Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/60sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Chital or Spotted Deer Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/250sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Tasting some Sambar??? along with the Kawwey... Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/250sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Sambar with a view Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Nilgai Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| Baby on the run Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| Close up of the Nilgai Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/125sec ISO 400 -0.3step |
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| Chinkara Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/250sec ISO 400 0step |
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| Keen Chinkara??? Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Horned and Tanned...Chinkara Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/250sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Extreme Close up Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/160sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Busy feeding Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Horned Beauty Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 0step |
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| Baby Indian Gaur/Bison Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/100sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Indian Bison Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Calm Wolf Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 0step |
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| Drowsy Whity Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/200sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| In serenity Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/125sec ISO 400 -1.3step |
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| Awaiting something??? Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/100sec ISO 400 -0.3step |
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| Leapy Leopard Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Strange fossilized giraffe ;P Exif: F/4.5 Shutterspeed 1/5125sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Another interesting giraffe Exif: F/6.3 Shutterspeed 1/50sec ISO 400 -1.7step |
Apart from the captivated ones there were a few who took shelter in the vast unused areas, these few snaps showcases the migrants of the zoo, happily settled and flourishing
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| Few other residents Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Can u spot anything??? see properly spotted the baby??? Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/500sec ISO 400 -0.7step |
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| Red wattled Lapwing Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/320sec ISO 400 0step |
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| Few visitors, A big eyed Babbler Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/30sec ISO 400 -0.3step |
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| Keeping an eye from Top Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/40sec ISO 400 +1step |
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| Getting a good view Exif: F/5.6 Shutterspeed 1/580sec ISO 400 +1step |
So here it is...a desperate move to break-free from all the madness turned out to be a good idea with a plentiful of memories of the captivated beauties.
Now here I am, a lot more calm, hugely satisfied with my own current photography gear and slightly back to the normal 'me'....and eagerly awaiting for the monsoon and hopefully daring enough to use my Dslr in the 100% moist weather...till then Bye Bye :)
