Hello 2010

Before I think about things 2009 brought... let me revisit my 2008 wishlist:

1) Baby

2) EOS 40D

Well both the wishes came through within the first 3 weeks of 2009. And there on, I've been totally occupied with either #1 or #2 :) I am sure Anita hates my occupancy with #2!! So the rest of the post is going to be bragging about the two new things in my life.

All I can remember in 2009 is the night of 13th January. That was the day Anita felt contractions and we admitted to KEM. After that point whatever happened was just out of the world expereince. At 1245 on January 14th the doctor told me that we were blessed with a baby boy. It was the best thing in my life (leave 2009 apart) to hold the new born Adi minutes after he came to existence. Thrilling to its core...

Since that day...time has flown ... The first couple of months were full of confusion about how to handle the baby. But slowly we both settled on our parenting roles and Adi settled as an individual in our family. There were times of commotion when Adi was unwell, but with gods grace, we saw it through. Now that Adi is growwing fast, it fun all over the place.

Professionally, 2009 was full of pressures ... thanks to the global recession. Work has been interesting and quite rewarding in terms of learning experience. Thoroughly enjoyed working on big ticket items for huge clients. Working under these pressure situtation has helped me grow as a mature professional and I feel a considerable upgrade from what I was last year :)

But the spot light of the year in office was the intra department Cricket tournament.. THE SPL. I played cricket after about 3 years, and man... it was fun. It took a long time to realize that even if your body is able to give 80%... your brain is not able to handle the emotions on the field. Temprament has gone down the drain. Despite of many oppurtunities, lack of temprament led to fatal errors, costing our team a spot in the Quater Finals. Nevertheless, it was the best team bonding effort ever made in our company.

Photography has been going steady, learning has been immaculate. Nov 2009, we (Photographers@Pune) hosted a photo exhibition, "Drushtikon 2009", featuring works of over 55 photographers. It was a total hit, and we saw over 7000 visitors in the 3 days of the exhibition. The overwhelming appreciation has kept our morals high to host Drushtikon 2010!

All in all... a good year, ofcourse with an addition of a new car (Indigo GLS) in the family, and a couple trips to Goa, Diveagar, Sangli, Mumbai made it more exciting.

Hoping the new year to be as enticing as this one has been. Happy New Year Folks.. Wish you the best in 2010!

DiveAgar - and again...

I have been to Dive-Agar time and again. The place never seems boring. I still remember the first time when we went there... way back in 2002. It was a coastal village, untouched by tourism devils and one could get the feel of true Kokan.

Since then there have been many developments happening. But doesn't matter, who cares if you get to eat the best fish ever!! As Pratik says, "CONSISTENCY is a word that POTNIS and BAPAT (from DIVEAGAR) should patent!"... For the past 8 years we've been relishing the same quality of sea food!

This time round there were a couple of interesting incidents that made me think beyond the food :) ...

For our journey from Pune, we had taken along some bread for sandwiches. And as expected we weren't able to finish the entire loaf. When we reached our rooms, there was a very cute calf tied close by. We were tempted to feed it with the left over bread. But to confirm, we asked its care taker if we can actually do that. We assured the care taker that the bread was fresh. To which he replied, "Saheb, bread taja asel tar me pan khau shakto." After realizing what just happened, we handed over the bread to him and left the place.

In the evening, while I was walking along the streets, I saw a small kid (about 6yrs old) trying to play cricket with a stick. Just for the heck of it, I offered to bowl. And to my surprise he connected all the 8-10 balls that I bowled with the stick. I agree I am not a great bowler, but connecting accurately with a 100% strike rate was something commendable for me. Real talent for sure...

Later in the night, I overheard a couple of local boys discussing their new year eve plan. Four-five of them together had contributed 70/- and were planning on how to utilize the money to the fullest. Some discussion towards having chinese food resulted in a proposition to share one dish of something (costing arround 40/-) amongst all of them. And they were truly content with their decision.

Perhaps, these events are an evidence of the difference between cities and villages ...

Meanwhile, some of the trip photographs:

India:Google

Recently I got an awesome email about google searches... it started a laughing wave amongst colleagues which is still active... Here is a short description of the content:

When we type anything in the search box, the intellisense prompts us with a set of possible strings that you might want to search for. This intellisense suggested search strings are based on the number of hits each string has received in the past.

Now comes the fun part... TRY THIS

1. Browse to Google.com (When browsed to google.com from a system located in India, mostly the request would get redirected to google.co.in ... Use the "goto Google.com" link below the search box)

2. Start typing any word ...let me take the example in the email itself.. start typing the word "Removing"... Notice what the intellisense suggests...

3. Now browse to Google.co.in and again start typing the same word "Removing" ... and notice the suggestions ...

I leave the post match analysis to each one of you...Happy ROFL :D

Photography exhibition: Drushtikon 2009

The interlockings

For a few of years now, we've been seeing the nice interlocking blocks in the market. When introduced, these were an alternative to the tiles. I must say these blocks look great in gardens and walkways sorrounded by lush green lawns. A different look and feel than the traditional "Shahbaadi tiles". I first saw these blocks in Fergusson College CSD way back in 2001... Within no time these blocks got popular all over...

But only a couple of years ago, these blocks managed to impress the offlicaials in PMC. Slowly PMC started adopting these blocks for footpaths along side the roads. Fantastic application of these tiny marvels...So far so good. But then some wiz official came up with an idea of having these blocks deployed in all major squares in the city.

And there goes the Pandora's box wide open. Every third week one of these interlocking blocks get un-locked and sits loose. A prompt action can save a lot of trouble...but with the rep that PMC carries, instant action is a distant dream. Consequently, with Pune traffic in action, the adjacent brothers and sisters of the disjoint block start falling apart. This damage hampers the avg speed of every vehicle passing on that route.

And when realization dawns to the officials, a truck load of new blocks are ordered. Then half of the sqaure is blocked for maintenance. This hotfix deployment goes on and on for days..causing a lot of painful traffic jams. Finally when they manage to patch the entire sqaure, the intersection of tar\concrete part of the road with the interlocking blocks remain the weakling. In addition, countless blocks go waste in the transaction.

I've been seeing all this for over a year now. The Aundh road-Baner Road intersection square is one of the instance. Just 100mtrs away is the GreenPark Hotel Square on Baner road. Same story... The work never seem to finish... I wonder the rationale behind this advancement from tar\concrete to the blocks.

But but but ... when all the blocks are in place...all the repairs tend to finish ..I srill slow down when I approach these sqaures ... suspecting... "There's gotta be a block that is no more interlocked.."

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The Baya nest!!

Recently I got a chance to see a baya weaver bird weaving its nest. We all have seen the nest as a dry tube like mesh with some bulges here and there... But call it Nature's Excellence or an architectural marvel ... each and every curve of the nest has a significance.

The nest hangs from a branch and looks like an upside down flask. Generally the nest hangs on the weakest and most flamboyant branches of the tree. Often a thorny tree adds to the safety. The suspended design helps keep the feline predators at bay.

The central bulge is the actual nesting area and the tube on the side that leads to the exit. This tube makes it difficult even for snakes to enter the nest. Although the nests look precarious, most nests are very well attached and are impossible to remove without almost destroying the nest.

The nests are made entirely out of strips of grass which the birds collect by cutting a notch in a tall grass. The bird usually gets hold of an entire blade of grass and then it stripping it into thin threads (30-60cms), which then it weaves into knots. As you can see in the image, a newly-made nest is green with fresh grass and turns brown as the grass dries.

The nests last well through the 3-month breeding season, sometimes even up to a year. The entire procedure of building the nests could take weeks to complete.

I could not see the entire nest being constructed, but at least I could witness a part of Natures way to Protect the next Generation...

Bird Photography .. in and around Pune

Geographically Pune is quite diverse comprising of large water bodies, mountain ranges, plateaus. Each geographical location houses a habitat for birds, including migratory bids. Places like Mulshi, Bhigvan, Sihagad Valley, Kavdi etc serve an excellent treat to birdwatchers. These sites are within 50-100km radius and are easily accessible by road. The best time for birding in Pune is from September(closure of monsoon) to April (beginning of harsh summers). Flamingos are the main attraction during Dec-Feb time period. In addition, the residential localities of the city too are abundant with birds like sun birds, bee eaters, ashy prinias, tickells blue flycatchers etc.

For the past few months (before Monsoon) .. I have been addicted to bird photography. The new Canon Gear at hand, inspired all the more. Though the glass that I possess is considered a mediocre choice for bird photography, I am content with the results.

I am novice at bird photography, so any comments\suggestions are most welcome...

To visit my gallery Click

Google wave..

This will be one of the coolest thing Google ever released so far!!... Check out yourself..

Sky outside the window

The sky outside at the moment is absolutely like a painting. It is so very tempting to start clicking right away. But the fact remains that today is a Monday. So all I can do is .. use my cellphone from the window...

Hope it rains tonite... Cheers..

Lilly

Recently, happened to visit FC for some project evaluation work. When I was studying there I always saw these lotus in the garden of CS Department. But those days, frames wasn't even a distant idea in my mind.

But I went this time round, the sheer beauty of the lotus tempted me to carry my camera and take a couple of shots....

This is one of them...

Some better Mondays...

I was stranded on FC road near Goodluck chowk signal, heading towards Kothrud. 3 Green signals already went past and I was still on the same side of the road, inching towards the first position.. I agree at 1930, the traffic scene all over the city is about the same.

Finally with the 4th signal I managed to get past, so I picked my Alto at a considerable throttle and suddenly .. Screeeech.....an Indica (or some other small car) jumped the opposite red signal and landed right in front of my bonnet. I literally stood up on the brakes to avoid collision. That creature driving the car, didn;t even seem to bother a pixel. He was busy discussing something on his cell phone. At that fraction, all the "B*" words popped my mind ... and the before I could utter any of them ... I saw a mama run @ his max speed from some corner of the square. It was quite a sight.. Never seen a mama sprint ... ;)

Within no time he was right in front of the indica ... the guy had to stop... I knew he was going to have it big time. Jumping the signal, Cellphone while driving in combination are quite enough to get you a heavy duty fine... But I really didnt care about the fine. For the first time in my life I was so very satisfied with the past 30seconds... And that too without me having to do a single bit... I was ecstatic!!! as much as Roger was at Phillipe Chatrier.

This would be a tiny insignificant event for everyone on the signal ... but I am sure gonna have a smile for the entire week :D

Nature Facts - I

Human beings are the most advanced life forms and the reproduction cycle invariably takes the better genes of both the partners. The newer generation is an hybrid combination of the previous one. The strong genes continue to propagate to the next generation... But in lower life forms, this is not the case. Nature has to externally filter out weaker genes before getting into next generation... One of the most effective example of this rule of elimination is the reproduction cycle of Salmons.

Salmons are one of the species of fish which are born in fresh water and then spend majority of their life in the sea. These fish are mature at around the age of 5 years. The matured male & female salmons start their journey from the ocean towards the stream. The fish travel miles upstream (of course, against the flow of water) to reach to the highest point of the stream where the water is calm. This is usually high up in the mountain ranges, where that stream particularly originates. This is where the reproduction actually happens.

Going upstream for miles isn't easy. The fast flowing water against the fish is a daunting task. In addition to the stream, the fish encounter enormous enemies like birds, other fresh water fish and the lethal Grizzly Bears. Most of us must have seen these scenes on TV earlier.

The weaker fish, get killed by the bears or tire off to death, and only the stronger fish make it till the higher points of the stream, exactly the same place where they were born. Here the females lay eggs and the males fertilize the eggs. Thus only the genetically strong fish mate and the next generation would eliminate the defects in the previous genes.
Most of the fish die after the reproduction stage due to exhaustion of the journey. The eggs then hatch into fishes and the stream water flows the juveniles back to the ocean.

PS: Image courtesy http://student.britannica.com/eb/art/print?id=55550&articleTypeId=0

Wonder...

ID: Indian Robin (female)

To elaborate... while I was trying to photograph this robin pair... they let me close-in as much as a couple of feet. This image is not cropped and taken about 4 feet from the female.

I wasn't sure of the reason why the birds were letting me so close... The moment I started getting near to one of them ... the other partner would close in. My instinct made me follow the second bird. This was happening in succession and every alternate times the birds closed in. This is the first time I saw such an action.

In a while I realized that I am quite far from where I had started. (about 20-40 feet)

And then suddenly both of them vanished. Extremely bewildered by the behavior I decided to return ... (the same path)

On my way back.. I saw a tiny juvenile robin trying to hide in the nearby bush... And the pieces fell in place. Wonders of "parenthood"

I abandoned the place immediately. (Though I managed to capture a glimpse of the baby)

New watermark

Now on you will find a simple non invasive copyright watermark on my photographs... Here is one of the first images of this watermark.



Cheers,
Amit

Monday Filler.

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Large Pied Wagtail

Aditya...

Aditya...
Originally uploaded by amitsgupte

Monday Filler

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Vacancy ... We are hiring!

Monday Filler

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Monday Filler

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Golden Sizzle.

Little Wonders - Month 1

My son turns 1 month tonight. Let me put down some things that I've noticed since he came into our lives.

Visibly, when he was born he looked much plumpier and round faced. Now he is a bit lanky, but his weight has increased considerably. His hair still seem to be unusually long and partially cover his ears. His eyes have opened up completely.

Coming to behavioural changes, when he was born, the only sense he had was touch (skin). Even if there was a loud noise around him, he didn't seem to respond or even notice it. Nor would he blink if something came in front of his eyes all of a sudden. Books say that even if the light\sound reaches the sensory organs and is transmitted to the brain by the organs, the brain is not capable of processing these signals as of now. But since week two he started shivering when a particular frequency hit him. For instance, a vessel dropped far away, the noise of that vessel was very feeble, but the frequency disturbed him.

Now at the end week four, he has faintly started to respond to sound. When I make some noise on his left, his eyes turn to left. Also his eyes now follow objects (held a foot away). Though this behaviour is quite rare, the sense of sight and sound seem to be begining to develop.He still doesn't blink at a stimulus. In the coming weeks, his reflexes should start taking over his actions ...

I haven't been reading a lot on the above behaviours so am not able to explain in detail the reason supportinig the observations :) ... But I've enjoyed every moment of it to the fullest!! ...

Looking forward for new surprises in the coming month...Happy Birthday Buddy!

Cheers,
Amit

Monday Filler

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Sunset...
Originally uploaded by amitsgupte

Explored

Explored



1. Sunset..., 2. Sun bird., 3. Water mist, 4. Rainbow flowers, 5. Tickell's blue flycatcher, 6. Day 3 ...Let there be Light!, 7. Grandeur Personified, 8. A foggy morning at the camp, 9. P9270821

Monday Filler

For lack of long gaps between my posts, I've made up my mind to post 1 picture that I take on every monday. It will at least refresh the latest updated tag of my blog. Here goes the first one:
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Sun bird.
Originally uploaded by amitsgupte

A letter...

 

Hello Canon .. How u doin??

This blog could be considered as an epilogue to the previous one..

Not very long ago did I think over a wish list for 2009. And now after about 2 weeks, I've started to believe in Shahrukh's words, "Kehte hain kisi cheej ko pure dil se chaho to puri kayanat use tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jati hai" from OSO ... well that's not Shahrukh's quote per say, it is inspired from Paulo Coelho's original, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." But..lets not discuss the conspiracy of an inspiration anymore, the reason to mention the quote is that I recently managed to buy an EOS 40D. This was something that I was craving for quite a long time. Surprisingly the deal happened quite quicker than I had expected. The camera seems to be just a magical piece of work! I am glad to have this acquisition... finally.

Thanks to Pankaj who gave me an ample time for hands on with his 40D during the exhibition.

Hoping to have a pleasant, durable and long stay with Canon.

Cheers,
Amit

Adios Olympus

Yesterday struck a deal for my good old Oly 500. It has been about 1.5 years that I had this fella. Its just beyond words to explain what it meant to me in my early days of learning photography. Its quite a sad moment, but I had to do this for practical reasons.

It was nice knowing you Olympus.