( Pictures by Aprana, 23rd July,2010 at Dal Lake, Sri Nagar) Nikhil's photographs from Srinagar triggered my quest to add yet another lifer to my list. The visit got postponed twice on account of turmoil in the vale of Kashmir. The moment I got a green signal from my army friend posted in Srinagar, I packed my bags and came down to this heaven with Aparna. We booked ourselves in a house boat called "New Gulistan Palace" which was recommended by Outlook Traveler. It is owned by a gentleman called Guru. He is quite an affable person with a beautiful estate near Nagin Lake. The house boat was impeccable and the food was delectable. We decided to follow Nikhil's instructions to the tee and decided to get Little Bitterns in the fading light at Nagin Lake. The Shikara ride from Dal to Nagin took more than two hours. But then, the little pleasures of life come alive on a magical ride on this pleasure boat. The pace is languid and nature's bounty limitless. A shikara passed by selling "Bhuttas" and another trying to entice us with an opportunity for a photograph in a local dress. It is interesting to watch, how locals have adopted to the aquatic life style. You see myriad chores being done on a boat; a boy being ferried by his mother to school, another boat carrying a gas cylinder and yet another selling mutton tikkas to any food connoisseur who may care to enjoy hot cuts of meat in the luxury of his/her boat. We got the bird before the bridge which connects Dal to Nagin Lake. This part of the lake had tracts of reed beds and water lilies/lotus beds. The bird was in its full glory and was not so shy of being photographed. Aparna had a ball clicking away a handful of pictures at close quarters. We decided to tread forward and look for more individuals in the periphery of the Nagin Lake. We could not locate more birds as may be it was still not the right time for the birds to begin their evening activity. We made a stopover at Mr. Guru's estate and enjoyed his excellent hospitality. The ride back gave us a chance to see and photograph this bird again. The next day was dedicated to touristy stuff and was spent in going to Sonamarg, Hazrat Bal, Nishat Garden, Chashme-e-Shahi, Pari Mahal and Shankarcharya Mandir. The Eurasian Jackdaw was another lifer at Nishat Garden. I remember sweating it out in Leh to get this bird and it was a cake walk over here! Strange are the ways of Nature! |
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