India continued

Oh, and there are people in India, too..

even more birds and wildlife from India

pretty scary marsh crocodile

green bee-eater

flying foxes coming home to roost

the national bird of India

birds and wildlife of a tiny part of India

Birds and Wildlife at Chambal Safari Lodge

India is a birder's paradise. According to Lonely Planet, there are 1,000 different bird species in India. Upon my arrival at the lodge, I was given a checklist for birds and other wildlife. 

Asian Pied Starling

Grey Hornbill

Jungle Babbler

Nilgai

Rose-ringed parakeet

 

 

 

5-striped palm squirrel

flying foxes. These guys were especially difficult to photograph, because I was always aiming straight up into the sky. 

Indian Hare

spotted owlet (also known as unbelievably adorable owlet)

gharial. wow. just wow. 

can't remember the name.

ummmm...

red-wattled lapwing

shikra

too-cute-for-words owlet.

India

What to say after one week in India? First of all, one week is obviously a drop in the ocean of time you would need to see/understand a country as vast and complex as India. My first few days were amazing; I saw birds, crazy wildlife, and got a taste of life in rural India. I saw the Taj Mahal, and witnessed an example of wonderful courage and kindness. I saw fantastic art in Delhi. Unfortunately, on my last day, I witnessed an act of violence that was shockingly casual, and perpetrated, I believe, for my eyes. At the time, I decided then that this would be my last visit to India. I know other people who love India, and tell me that what I saw was a very small part of a complex whole. I'm not sure their assurances will be enough for me to buy another ticket, though.

Chambal Lodge Safari

Somewhere to the south of Delhi. I came to India because a colleague raved about this place. It is about two hours (on very bad roads) from Agra (home of the Taj Mahal). It is located on the outskirts of a village, about a 45-minute drive from the Chambal River. I took a short jaunt by camel to the ruins of Fort Ater, a lovely boat-ride on the river, and a little hike through the nearby ravines. 

Camel Ride

I first rode a camel in Egypt a few decades ago. It was a very frightening experience. I swore I would never get on a camel again. 'Never say never.' Camels are extremely strange-looking creatures, with their long necks, really long legs, and goofy huge feet. Getting on to a camel's back is scary. The camel kneels on the ground, you swing your leg over its wide back (when you have short legs it's a VERY long way). The camel then goes up on its back legs. Its very long legs. Which means that for a few terrifying moments, you're hanging on to a moving monster at a 90 degree angle, VERY far away from the ground. Then he lurches onto his front legs, and you're tipping backwards. A few more heaves, and he's up. And the ground is a long way down. 

Meet Raju, my friend for a day

 

Sunday Wanderings

     Sunday seems to be the day that finds me wandering through the streets, sometimes striding alongside my athletic friend Jessica, sometimes ambling slowly with only my camera for company. 

      Tashkent is, like all cities, a complex, organic being made up of disparate parts. We have the large, well-kept parks, the wide, tree-lined streets, big old shabby apartment buildings, weird empty-looking white marble monoliths. We also have the malhallahs, little neighbourhoods that seem to be contained within the borders of main streets. 

    As I mentioned in a previous post, you don't see 'front yards' inTashkent. To enter people's homes, you go through a gate that takes you into their yard or courtyard. Most houses are built right onto the sidewalk, so you are usually walking by someone's bedroom window. 

In a schoolyard. 

'cause who doesn't want to live on Bogibaland Street?