Kashmir...

Posted by : 3rd Eye...

Folks here are a few pics we clicked on our way from Srinagar to Wusan

They dont call it paradise for nothing...

# Gulmarg (or "Meadow of Flowers") is a town, a hill station and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

# Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar. It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft).

# The surrounding areas were politically restive during the 1990s uprising in Kashmir, but since a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the town has enjoyed a period of relative peace and quiet.

# With the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the state's most visited destinations.

# The slopes of the Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia.

# The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,747 m (12,293 ft), accessed by an aerial gondola (telecabine).

green valley

The various shades of green in the valley were a treat to the eyes...

How my eyes go sore watching the concrete blocks all around !!!

Sigh !!

The active sales boy !!!!!!!!!

On the way to the valley...

dhuaan dhuaan, dhuaan dhuaan...
dhuaan hii dhuaan...
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On the way to the valley the scenes are remarkable.. the green, misty, foggy slopes dont allow the passenger to sleep on the journey... its like you just want to keep looking out... !!!! :)

Camera Critters - Valley of Flowers

More pics from the trek...

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The bloom in the valley has so many forms its impossible to capture all...

and then whilst on the trek you have so many helpers alongside...

didnt get what the helpers do ?? well they carry you in seats like the one below... care for some help ???? you can relax in it and enjoy the views while he walks carrying you !!!

and in case you want to catch a small nap on the way... here is a cosy place... !!!



Adios' !

Treks in paradise...

Bloom

as the dawn breaks,

the rays penetrate,

the dew drops shine,

the valley blooms,

the flies buzz,

the swallows chirp,

colours galore,

its time to bloom !!

Valley of flowers trip this august..

These pics were taken in August on 3rd Eye's (Jay) trip to the valley of flowers..

If you remember we took our first batch of students to Valley of flowers this year..

In the coming weeks we shall share more and more pics of flowers from this valley... a true heaven on earth !!!!! :)

Jawra falls, Dabkhal, Gujarat

nature at its best... !!!

A great piece of news in the newspapers today :

LAKHIMPUR: In a good news for wildlife enthusiasts concerned over dwindling big cat population in the country, at least 15 tiger cubs have been sighted in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

Not only that, the survival rate of the cubs has also increased, they said.

“At least 15 tiger cubs have been sighted at various spots of the park,” Shailesh Prasad, field director of the Dudhwa reserve in Kheri district, said.

He said a tigress with three cubs was sighted in Madraicha while Chhota Palia, Chaltua, Kakraha, Puraina and Jhadi Tal areas of the national park and Sadar beat of Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary (KWS) were reported to have tigresses with two cubs respectively.

He also said, “a tigress with one cub was reported to be staying in Trans-Gerua area of KWS.”

“All the cubs were hale and hearty, which indicated a sustained growth of tiger family in Dudhwa despite several odds,” he added.

However, if the arrival of new members in the tiger families has rejuvenated the wildlife lovers, this has also left them seriously concerned as Dudhwa with an area of nearly 1400 sq kms is nearly saturated with tiger population.

Standing alone...

Thats the feeling I get...

on a saturday I fret...

office on saturday is so boring...

while others are lazing and dozing...

some go for paratha's

some go for siesta's...

Why o why...

do I have to work on a saturday...

Sky Watch Friday

A misty dusk in Kashmir.

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The most beautiful part of my country stands ravaged by all sorts of problems. The emotions I feel as best described by this song : Dhuan Dhuan from Mission Kashmir..

Flooded....

Monsoons have always been my favourite season. I have said it time and again the whole of India becomes much more beautiful in the monsoons. The green blanket, the wet weather, the clean-green leaves, the enthusiastic birds chirping, the sheltering animals, the small brooks, the endless waterfalls, the smell of the wet soil its total bliss... !!!

These pictures were taken on a trip to the south Gujarat forests in the second half of August. Wonderful trip where we had one extremely memorable night where it poured like there was no tomorrow... getting drenched in that cold rain in the midnight was a highlight of that trip !!!

The pride of India...

This time we managed to snap some good pics of this peacock who wanted to give us a show.. !!!

Do click the pics to enlarge them. And yeah dont get too thrilled... its from a cage.. unfortunately it wasnt free :(

Dusk... (SKY WATCH FRIDAY)

( Sunset at Saputara )

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As the sun sets...

serenity spreads... .

a hush spreads in the jungle...

the deers gather...

as minutes tick by...

darkness spreads...

slowly...

the hush breaks...

as crickets tweet...

owls hoot...

a wolf howls...

a tiger is on the prowl...

at night the jungle... comes alive.. !!!

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-Pics courtesy Nigam

-Text courtesy Hitchwriter