Greater Flamingos of Gurgaon

Gurgaon sees a large number of Greater Flamingos, especially during the winter months. I guess the area lies on an important migration route for Flamingos. It is, however, a great joy to spot these rather colourful birds in spite of the shrinking wetlands. Gurgaon is on the way to losing most of its wetlands within a few years. The Basai wetland has disappeared; the Sultanpur National Park is gasping for survival because of a lack of fresh water reserves. One should, therefore, enjoy the wildlife while one can!

Changing climate patterns, shrinking biodiversity hotspots that alter food patterns, human development, and competition for resources with other species, especially domesticated cattle, have led many migratory birds to leave Gurgaon as their winter destination. High-tension wires, camera-equipped towers, and noisy visitors have made Sultanpur National Park less of a protected area and more of a tourist spot where families can spend time.

Flamingos are a welcome sight for all those who can find time to spot them. The first time I spotted Greater Flamingos in Gurgaon was when the Basai Wetland existed. Dozens of Greater Flamingos used to visit the Basai wetland. These days, migratory birds are moving away from Gurgaon to the outskirts of the town. Unfortunately, developmental activities have started even in the outskirts, and demand for land for townships has sounded the death knell for all those wetlands that once hosted  migratory birds from all over the world.

The equipment used for the above shots included a Canon R7 Body and a Canon 600 mm F11 zoom lens. The lens, although light in weight, has its downside as it hungers for a lot of light. I was, however much satisfied with the images taken.

Shooting Flamingos in flight can be tricky when using the Canon F11 600 mm prime lens because of its narrow field of coverage, but it can be done; you can see in the photographs I have shared. It is easier to photograph Greater Flamingos while they are on terra firma. 

Flamingos are social birds, and they move around together. I have noticed that there is one bird that acts as a leader of the community. Usually, this one bird stands guard while others are foraging for food. The bird photographed in flight was taller and seemed to be the leader of the flock.

A Day with a Travelling Liturgist and a Music Evangelist

Today's service at the Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon, was in the form of a convention led by Dr. Benny Prasad, the Travelling Liturgist and Music Evangelist, and Author of the book 'UNTHINKABLE'. Benny is also credited with designing the world's first Bongo Guitar and a 54-stringed instrument called the Bentar. Benny is also credited with establishing a new world record for the fastest time to visit 245 countries.

In our childhood, we may have read Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days. In this fictional story, six countries were covered. However, Brother Benny Prasad is a World Record Holder. He became the fastest country traveller in the shortest period of time in 2010, having travelled to 245 countries, including Antarctica, in six years, six months, and twenty-two days.   

Brother Benny & Zanbeni Prasad presently run a cafe ministry called Chai 3:16 in Bengaluru. This restaurant seats 400 people and is an interactive community space where you decide the price of your tea – the only item on the menu.  

With this background, he spoke to us today on the theme 'From Broken Vessel to Instrument of Praise '.

The key takeaway of his message was that one should go out into the world and share the good news. He spoke at length about the importance of carrying the Gospel within oneself and that Evangelism can be done not only by the ordained but also by those in various professions.

It was indeed a most inspiring moment to join a praise and worship session led by the Church Choir, along with some uplifting numbers by Benny and his wife, Zanbeni.

Of course, how could I forget the theme of the day! It was of course, from 'Broken Vessel to Instrument of Praise', an apt metaphor for how God makes use of each one of us in his service. The cornerstone that was rejected by the Mason went on to become the foundation of one of the largest cathedrals of the world. The story of this Travelling Liturgist is associated with the story of how God steps in and makes use of those who have lost all hope in order to make them the light and salt of the Earth.

The pews were packed, and the basement hall was full, as church members and their friends had gathered in large numbers to listen to words of inspiration, encouragement, and hope from one who was once on the verge of giving up hope to one who became the 'Travelling Liturgist'. The message of Hope and Positive Affirmations rang loudly in everyone's ears as the thirsty and hungry fed on the word of assurance with enthusiasm!

Sleepless Nights

 Good night, folks; rest, for tomorrow awaits!

A day looms over the horizon; we have tasks to do. 

Conserve energies lest hearts fail, for tomorrow looms.

May God give us Grace and Strength to face the day. Wake

Up afresh in the morn to come, to serve with joy and smiles. 

Strained faces and dour looks take away the rewards of work. 

With a smile, I bid all sweet dreams and refreshing sleep

For tomorrow awaits, for now I seek the droopy eyes that herald

 Deep, restful sleep. Alas! The tasks of the next day keep me awake.

 Dream of notebooks to check, answer scripts to assess, marks to

Enter, reports to make, lesson plans to create, remarks to enter, 

Await. LOs and Bloom would dance a jig to see me toss and turn,

While CBQs and MCQs do a tango. 

Piles of scripts to go through, remarks and grades, to enter too!

On top of that, a workshop awaits, to report it before it ends.

Creativity languishes, driven into a corner, shaking, trembling,

The mind confounded by a maelstrom of tasks to do. Driven

Into a dudgeon, the mind sinks into turmoil. Good Night,

Folks, forget the trials and tribulations of an educator, for a 

Moment, tomorrow awaits. So rebuild your strength for tasks

To do; Dante would be impressed to see the boulders being pushed

Back and forth up a steep slope that never ends! Shedding grief and

Sweat, unfortunately, those for whom one slogs ignore the hunger for

Success, even as, like automatons, we slog, while they nod off to Lethe,

Drunk on complacency and overconfidence.

Wildlife Photography at Chandu Budhera can Spring Surprises

Today, when I visited the Chandu Budhera Wetland, I did not expect much. The sky was overcast; the paths were slippery, and the fields were green. I guess the best thing about photographing wildlife is stepping into a green world, breathing fresh air, and maybe even spotting something interesting. Ok, so I was using a 70-300 mm zoom lens because I planned to photograph resident and migratory birds, but instead I ended up photographing a hovering Dragonfly! An unlikely proposition for a setup meant more for photographing birds. The results, however, were amazing, as you can see from the examples attached below.

However, I did spot a few birds too. The ubiquitous spot-billed ducks were at play in their favourite pond, the weaver birds were busy building their nests, and the Lesser Whistling ducks were hidden behind some bushes.

Of course, in the days to come, this wetland too will disappear like the Basai Wetland, swallowed whole by residential buildings, roads and flyovers, all in the name of development. Gurgaon is losing all its important Biodiversity hotspots. Of the Basai Wetland, all that remains are memories, photographs and written accounts.