The Church of The Epiphany Celebrates its Garden Fete on the 8th of January, 2017

This time we had to postpone the celebration of the Annual Garden Fete of the Church of the Epiphany, Gurgaon to the  8th of January, 2017 instead of having it the month of November 2016. I guess this means that we will be having two Garden fetes in the year 2017! The convenors for the Annual Garden Fete were Mrs. Marion Sircar, and Mrs. Lalita Joshua. The Chief guest on the occasion was Colonel (Retd.) Datta, who happens to be incidentally the oldest parishioner of the Church. The church is also celebrating one hundred and fifty years of service in the town of Gurgaon. The fete was part of the ongoing celebrations which will culminate in the month of February, 2017.Without adding too much information, I would like the pictures to tell a story of their own!

Greeting the Rising Sun Photo by Rodrick Lal — National Geographic Your Shot

Greeting the Rising Sun Photo by Rodrick Lal — National Geographic Your Shot: When I last visited the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary in Haryana, India, I was disappointed by the poor lighting combined with the mist that played spoilsport. But then, I was not to be deterred and decided to take a few photographs of birds and antelopes stirring to life. I knew I wouldn't get sharp images but still, I went on taking a few snaps. When I checked the snaps, I liked the surreal effect! This is another of a similar snap posted on the Yourshot website.

Shooting Nature at Dawn at a Wildlife Bird Sanctuary

A few days back when I visited the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary early in the day, I was a bit disappointed with the lighting conditions. The sun had yet to rise and the mist meant that I would not be able to focus on the eyes of the birds. Nevertheless, I did take a few hazy pictures more for the art than for the sharpness, a few of which I have shared below:

Dawn is a magical moment in the national park. It lends a rather surreal effect to the landscape and the birds take up the shapes of shape-changers as they seem to merge into the background!

The males of the Asian Antelopes don't seem to bother about the grooming and upbringing of their little ones. The doe takes care of her little ones while the stag roams around!

It is a very touching sight to see a family of Asian antelopes toghether. The mothers take a collective responsibility of their little ones. Incidentally, I saw a couple of dogs chasing the little ones across the lake.

Seasonal Birds spotted at the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary

This bunch of Bougainvillea flowers

This year the Sultanpur bird sanctuary opened later than usual. First it was, according to official sources because of the late arrival of migratory birds, an attempt according to them, to give the birds time for nesting. The second reason for the delay was because of fears lest the birds could have contracted bird flu. A few migratory birds had died allegedly in the New Delhi Zoo and the Okhla bird sancutuary. Fortunately no bird flu cases were reported in the sanctuary. 

White throated Kingfisher

A pair of spot bill ducks

Purple Swamp hen

Warbler

A White-throated Kingfisher

Nesting female Lapwing

A female Asian antelope (Nilgai)

Nesting Swamp Hen

Seasonal Birds - Purple Swamphen Photo by Rodrick Lal — National Geographic Your Shot

Seasonal Birds - Purple Swamphen Photo by Rodrick Lal — National Geographic Your Shot: While looking around for something interesting to photograph at the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, I came across these birds with bright red beaks. Their plumage had a bright purple sheen to it with gave them a rather bright reflective hue. These purple swam hen are quite common in the wet lands of North India.