One Foggy December Morning at the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Gurgaon

Asian Antelope (Female)

Brrr, it is very cold, the fog shrouds the entire National Park in mystery! All of a sudden, creatures emerge on the path ahead of you and you wonder what the heck, was it worth it visiting the National Park in such foggy conditions! But then, I guess you would agree it was worth it after looking at the rather ethereal and surreal images I was able to capture on one foggy Saturday dawn at the Sultanpur National Park. We all look for pin sharp images, (me included) but then taking photographs that look like paintings seems to be an opportunity not to be missed.

Asian Antelope (Male)

A Heron takes to the air

Egrets Warming up in the early morning sun

The early morning fog and the winter sun rising slowly into the sky gives everything an almost dreamlike quality. It seems as if you are stepping into a fairy-tale world, something that one might not even have dreamt about in this mechanical world. It has become very important today, to be able to connect with nature in all its forms. My Saturday visits to these wetlands give me enough food for thought in any case, a much-needed break from a hectic work culture.

A mixed lot of birds, an egret, cormorants and a duck

It is scenes such as these that get your creative juices flowing. I just hope that the Government and other organisations and the common man realise how important these oases of nature are for all of us. The Basai Wetland, much closer to Gurgaon is another Lost Paradise.

A Painted Stork waiting for the sun

As the world becomes more and more predictable and patterned, it is pleasant surprises such as these that give you zeal and zest for life and all the challenges it can throw at you. The early morning in the best time to see the birds and antelopes in their most peaceful forms, not startled, cackling creatures leaping to the skies in alarm!

Yes, there is gracefulness in birds and animals when they are at peace in their surroundings. National Parks and Sanctuaries need to be treated with great respect. These Sanctuaries should not be places for boisterous people out for a good time, people who are as loud as they can be, carrying with them the mad cacophony of the cities from where they come!

Asian Antelopes peering through the mist