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2013-05-23 15:07:58 (26 comments, 6 reshares, 109 +1s)

Won't be Long Before He Adorns the Sepia Pages
The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is threatened with extinction due to the demand for its horn. There are only 3,300 left in the world and many of these face enormous pressure from poachers. It is not unlikely that our grandchildren will not see them in the wild unless we act now to stop the demand.
For #threatenedthursday  curated by +Anette Mossbacher +Sandy Schepis +Diego Cattaneo and myself.

2013-05-23 12:26:52 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

The trouble with the new GPlus verticals is that you have to scroll a lot to Plus! :D

2013-05-22 15:15:15 (0 comments, 5 reshares, 161 +1s)

I just shaped up my travel plans for the rest of this year to include some considerable time in what is the most beautiful mountain I know - High Tatras. It's my homeland but surprisingly, I did not enjoy much luck there with weather conditions. Actually, I got my best shots some serious time ago. Like this one - 5 vertical images composite taken with my ancient D70, yes, 8 years ago.

Can't wait to just return and do finally better now!

2013-05-22 07:46:54 (56 comments, 6 reshares, 187 +1s)

Correcting an error!
I normally don't share the same subject here. But had to make this exception because of a serious complaint I received. Apparently, I posted the wrong profile yesterday and my model is furious! So folks, please expunge the earlier image from your files and only look at this one ! :)
Oriental Garden Lizard , Kolkata, India

2013-05-21 08:01:02 (74 comments, 12 reshares, 205 +1s)

I had a visitor to my studio this morning!
I think he fancied some of the coffee that I was drinking! :)
Oriental Garden Lizard   Calotes versicolor
  #lizard #Kolkata

2013-05-20 15:29:03 (64 comments, 6 reshares, 159 +1s)

There is a New Wonder at Every Turn when you walk the forest.
So wonderful that even a bird photographer is moved to record and share.

2013-05-20 13:44:11 (53 comments, 15 reshares, 181 +1s)

The First Flight
Best Seen Full Screen!
I do a lot of bird surveys and use photography as a tool. The skill needed here is that you must get all the birds in a flock - and you should be able to identify almost all of them. This image is resized about 40% of original. In full size you can, if you have the skill, identify 99% of the birds in the flock. This one is almost all Garganeys, but there are a couple of other species in there as well.
  #birds #India

2013-05-19 08:50:28 (39 comments, 4 reshares, 143 +1s)

Getting Ready for the Indian Wedding!
Applying mehndi or henna during the day so that it looks fresh for the ceremony at night. This is the 1st step, and the application takes time to dry and peel off to leave the temporary  design  behind.
  #India   #wedding  

2013-05-18 13:01:44 (84 comments, 12 reshares, 228 +1s)

You Can't Beat Nature's Studio
Yellow-bellied Prinia singing for a mate.
Kolkata, India #birds #India

2013-05-17 08:12:06 (77 comments, 12 reshares, 222 +1s)

Crested Serpent Eagle
Another go with portrait orientation in the new GPlus layout :)
The bird actually does prey on serpents!
Kolkata, India #birds  +BIRD LOVERS Worldwide +10000 PHOTOGRAPHERS  by +Robert SKREINER 

2013-05-16 09:26:50 (118 comments, 31 reshares, 339 +1s)

Nothing like a Good Meal on Your Birthday!
This one is for my friend and fellow bird photographer - Gaurav Mittal who celebrates his birthday today +Gaurav Mittal . Many Happy Returns of the Day mate!
Also to test out how the new G+ treats vertical images :)
Coppersmith Barbet on a Rubber Tree. Kolkata, India #birds   #India  

2013-05-16 06:49:25 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 36 +1s)

Leaving a huge white box behind when you mute a post is such a waste of space and such poor thinking. What purpose does it serve? The old method of leaving just an undo line was so much sleeker and scroll-saving #googlefail  

2013-05-15 11:35:25 (63 comments, 9 reshares, 194 +1s)

The Lonely Lady
Life is not always filled with colour and joy - there is darkness and pathos mixed in equal amounts!
Kolkata, India

2013-05-14 13:21:14 (72 comments, 6 reshares, 176 +1s)

Just Some Wild Flowers
An old image which I have reprocessed.

2013-05-13 06:22:33 (105 comments, 16 reshares, 207 +1s)

Good Day to Share an Old Image
The way GPlus is messed up over the last two days, most (who have me in their circles) will never this image anyway :)
Chestnut-tailed Starling on a Silk Cotton branch.
Kolkata, India.

2013-05-12 05:12:34 (68 comments, 16 reshares, 161 +1s)

Portrait of a Mother
Bonnet Macaque at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, India
  #mothersday   #happymothersday  

2013-05-21 13:36:35 (94 comments, 8 reshares, 217 +1s)

Another Sundarbans Sunset
To follow up on yesterday's post!
Sundarbans, India
For #mirrorsandreflections  by my friend +Gemma Costa 

2013-05-10 09:02:26 (79 comments, 15 reshares, 186 +1s)

Sunset and a Fisherman
Sundarbans, India
  #breakfastclub  by +Gemma Costa 

2013-05-09 16:08:55 (80 comments, 6 reshares, 181 +1s)

Indian Wild Ass Equus hemionus khur at 45mph!
The top speed of this animal is 70 kmph, and you get one chance to shoot them while the jeep is going at over 80 kmph over uneven terrain. Also, you get only a minute to get your shot - the chase stops thereafter. Very satisfying if you get something presentable in the frame at the end!
The Indian Wild Ass is a large member of the horse family. They are  endangered with only 4,000 odd left in the world! Only found in desert and semi-desert areas of Gujarat in western India.
Foe #threatenedthursday  by +Sandy Schepis +Anette Mossbacher +Diego Cattaneo and myself.

2013-05-09 11:44:43 (15 comments, 3 reshares, 47 +1s)

With less than 200 left, will this magnificent bird be the first mega species to go extinct in India in recent times? Or can it be pulled back from the brink of extinction? Your voice is powerful. Make it heard now to save the Great Indian Bustard!. 

2013-05-08 14:11:58 (119 comments, 25 reshares, 267 +1s)

Colours as Camouflage!
Despite its bold plumage you will find it hard to pick up the Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker in this mess :)
  #birdloversworldwide  by +Robert SKREINER 
  #breakfastclub  by +Gemma Costa 

2013-05-08 05:36:17 (65 comments, 2 reshares, 157 +1s)

Boarding a train, Indian style!
This image would never have been shared here in the normal course because it is far too experimental - trying to convey motion while holding some elements still.
But today is not a normal day here. Today is the birthday of the very special +Gene Bowker who just happens to love trains. And this is the only train image that I could find :) 
Incidentally, it is common for Indian males to board a running train when it starts leaving the platform, even if they have all the time in the world to get up while it is not in motion. A habit that leaves me perplexed for want of a logical answer. 
Many Happy Returns of the day Gene! Have a blast!
  #happybdaygene

2013-05-07 05:49:26 (84 comments, 20 reshares, 176 +1s)

Mother and Child
Grey (Hanuman) Langur, Sariska National Park, India
  #monkeymonday  by +Alex Lapidus and +Sandy Schepis 
[Best seen full screen! :]

2013-05-06 06:35:04 (65 comments, 3 reshares, 173 +1s)

The charm of a true forest lies in its depth!
Indira Gandhi National Park, Tamil Nadu, India

2013-05-05 05:50:50 (63 comments, 5 reshares, 150 +1s)

India is a Land of Colour, Song and Dance!
Chhath Puja festivities in Kolkata city
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhath

2013-05-04 05:09:00 (87 comments, 20 reshares, 249 +1s)

A Starling and a Flower
Rosy Starling and Silk Cotton flower.
Kolkata, India
  #birdloversworldwide  by +Robert SKREINER ;   #breakfastclub  by +Gemma Costa 

2013-05-03 07:24:03 (54 comments, 5 reshares, 136 +1s)

We Live In Such A Cosmopolitan World These Days!
Friends of the bride at a family wedding in Kolkata, India. Note the 'Mehndi (henna) artwork on the hands :) Mehndi is a temporary form of skin decoration and is usually applied during festive occasions.

2013-05-02 04:39:32 (59 comments, 8 reshares, 196 +1s)

Not sure what you did to yourself, but will find out soon enough. In the meantime this pesky little bird is for you! :) +kimberton pemberly 
Get well soon!
  #weloveyoupemberton  
p.s. I hope the swimming instructor had nothing to do with it?! For his sake! :DD

2013-05-01 15:07:48 (41 comments, 0 reshares, 114 +1s)

Let's Play Holi! - Street candid, Kolkata, India
Holi is a Hindu spring festival, popularly know as the festival of colours. The simple appeal of Holi is spreading, and many other communities have started to celebrate it.
Holi is usually celebrated in March. This year I was in southern India during Holi, and missed the action because it is not an important festival in that part of India. This image is from last year.

2013-05-03 03:55:36 (76 comments, 8 reshares, 208 +1s)

Ghost Crab
Ghost crabs dominate our sandy shores. They often move together as a carpet of red. I understand that they are called 'ghost crabs' because of the speed with which they disappear underground when they spot danger!
West Bengal coast, India.
For #wildlifewednesday  by +Mike Spinak and +Morkel Erasmus 

2013-04-29 08:23:11 (102 comments, 22 reshares, 271 +1s)

The Magic of the Mountains
Have not shared an image for a while with my favourite theme - #mountainmonday  by +Michael Russell .
So here is Mt. Kabru at sunset from Sikkim, India.
Mt. Kabru is part of the Singalila massif located in the eastern Himalayas.
[Best seen full screen :)]

2013-04-26 13:54:34 (84 comments, 17 reshares, 195 +1s)

Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina variegata)
Won't be around for the next two days, so this one is to wish all of you a wonderful weekend!
  #floralfriday  by +Tamara Pruessner 

2013-04-26 06:19:55 (68 comments, 10 reshares, 204 +1s)

Red-headed Trogon
A shy resident of wet broadleaved forests of south and south-east Asia. Trogons are residents of tropical forests worldwide.

2013-04-25 15:46:47 (73 comments, 5 reshares, 187 +1s)

Cloud Mountains - Nagaland, India

2013-04-25 12:45:43 (21 comments, 3 reshares, 48 +1s)

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Bandhavgarh is one of the highly recommended places in case you want to see the tiger in the wild - and in some style. I had, earlier today, put together an introductory page on my website. Thought I'd share the link for those interested in an India visit.

2013-04-24 12:37:15 (78 comments, 4 reshares, 150 +1s)

Sunset and a Kingfisher

2013-04-23 15:35:27 (76 comments, 8 reshares, 197 +1s)

White-cheeked Barbet on a fruting fig tree.
Bangalore city, India
  #birdloversworldwide  by +Robert SKREINER 

2013-04-22 06:55:23 (99 comments, 11 reshares, 211 +1s)

An Explosion of Colours!
Found this very colourful image yesterday while searching through the butterfly pic archives.
Was shot at altitude in the Himalayas some years ago. 

2013-04-21 05:03:54 (73 comments, 6 reshares, 214 +1s)

For Sharon
One of the things that keeps bringing me back to this forum are the friendships I have established here. And amongst those I consider to be friends, there is no better than +Sharon Jeannette . A most beautiful and kind person that it has been my privilege to meet. Happy Birthday Sharon!
  #onthewingsofbutterflies  by +Sharon Jeannette and +Cicely Robin Laing 

2013-04-20 04:43:10 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 54 +1s)

“If we fail our environment, we fail to protect our human rights,” warn UN experts on Earth Day
For #threatenedthursday  

2013-04-19 05:51:47 (111 comments, 25 reshares, 269 +1s)

I think we have had our fair share of images from my recent trip. Normal service resumes with this portrait of a White-throated Kingfisher in dappled light, shot some time ago in Kolkata city.

2013-04-18 14:23:08 (76 comments, 7 reshares, 180 +1s)

The Spirit of the Wild!
Imagine the moment. You have turned a bend. In front of you is a most impressive wild stag. You see him, he sees you - and then crashes through the folige, in dignified retreat! A fraction of a moment in the wild - but a very special moment! 
When people talk about a world without wild animals, they think of zoos and parks. Places where we will store living dinosaurs and feed them as they gaze dumbly, but without fear or SPIRIT, at us! Is that the way wild animals should be preserved?
I think not.
The very concept of the wild and free spirit is what makes them special. A zoo just converts them into zombies! We spend billions being entertained by our own kind, but are not bothered enough that we are set to lose what came with us and before us! Unless we wake up and save our wilds, all we will be left with will be cartoon Brad Pritt's of the animal... more »

2013-04-18 04:53:18 (66 comments, 11 reshares, 190 +1s)

The Elephant Family
I posted a close-up of this family a few days ago ( https://plus.google.com/u/0/114835618008913240560/posts/SvoVtmgtqHt ). This is a look at the same family from a much wider perspective. Demonstrates why it is good to carry a choice of lenses when you are in a forest. :)
My contribution to #threatenedthursday  curated by +Diego Cattaneo +Sandy Schepis +Anette Mossbacher and myself and a late entry for #elephantwednesday  by +Diego Cattaneo +Matthias Haeussler and +Louisa Catharine Forsyth 
Elephants are facing the gun worldwide to meet ever increasing demand for ivory. Their days on planet Earth seem numbered.
Bandipur National Park, southern India

2013-04-17 13:28:26 (22 comments, 2 reshares, 32 +1s)

One of those days again when your favourites posts are not appearing on your stream. This time it is really bad with most missing! #gplusfail  

2013-04-17 04:33:10 (68 comments, 7 reshares, 223 +1s)

Stark Forest
Bandipur National Park, southern India in the dry season.

2013-04-16 05:18:40 (72 comments, 10 reshares, 227 +1s)

Orchids in the Wild
A break from the southern Indian trip images - wild orchids from northeast India.

2013-04-15 05:25:01 (78 comments, 7 reshares, 224 +1s)

Monkey Dawn
Bandipur National Park, India
  #monkeymonday  by +Alex Lapidus and +Sandy Schepis 

2013-04-14 08:32:16 (66 comments, 6 reshares, 176 +1s)

Elephant Family
Bandipur National Park, India

2013-04-13 16:01:33 (82 comments, 14 reshares, 227 +1s)

Light makes all the difference in colours
This image of the Indian Giant Squirrel is shot at the same place as the one in the 2nd April post ( https://plus.google.com/u/0/114835618008913240560/posts/gGp4KCx1eoS ) . The only difference is that this one is shot in 'golden hour' light and the other one in twilight.
  #squirrelsaturday  by +Skippy Sheeskin and +Beth Blackwell
Southern India.

2013-04-12 04:55:01 (99 comments, 10 reshares, 244 +1s)

Learning How to Fly. Step 1 - Raise your wings!
Female sunbird, southern India.