INDIAN COUNTRYSIDE

I have had the most Unusual , Fascinating and absolutely Enchanting time in the Indian Countryside as I campaigned for three weeks for a Political Party during the ongoing Assembly Elections in the most populous and diverse state of India, Uttar Pradesh. ( literally means Northern Region) .

The setting is an area  near the Ganges ,which is over 99% Rural consisting of close to 350 Villages.

Be Enchanted as I was with some pictures which capture the Flora & Fauna in this Agriculturally Rich Region in Northern India.

Parakeets, Mangoes and flowers  like the Lotus adorn the facade of this Beautiful Home. The Inspiration is entirely from Nature and the surroundings.

Rural Illustrations on a Country Home

Take a deep breath, soak in the fresh air, it is the Countryside and air pollutants reside in Urban cities.

For me it was a joyous time as I soaked in the Natural Beauty as I campaigned from door to door and village to village.

Aerial Homes of the Baya Bird

The Peepal  or Sacred Fig Tree ( English), Bodhi or Peepal ( Hindi) , Ficus religiosa ( Scientific name) in the foreground is a much revered tree across the Indian sub continent.

The tree in the backdrop is another endemic and fascinating Tree the Indian Lilac ( English), Neem  (  Hindi) Tree, Azhadirachta indica. This tree is a natural Germicide.

The little Brown Hill on the rooftop adjacent to the Temple consists of Flat cakes made from Cow Dung.

An Ancient temple set in the midstof  Endemic Trees

The Featured Image is a typical rural scene in a Sugarcane  Field with Cattle Egret encompassing an Indian Buffalo.

Am delighted to finally reveal where I spent three weeks of my life participating in the Dance of Indian  Democracy .

Now off to Hospital and the realm of doctors , where I will dream of the Enchanting three weeks I spent in Naugawan Sadat assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

A 1000 YEAR OLD PENTHOUSE

The Qutab Minar ( Minar is a tower in Hindi)  is the symbol Of New Delhi and marks the Rise and Fall of dynasties and empires over 11 centuries.

As I was arching my neck and attempting to frame ( photographers will get it)  the magnificent Qutab Minar , the corners of my eyes detect  specks of green on this  gateway to the Iron Pillar ( 2nd Century BC) .

The Qutab Minar seen through the Gateway

On a closer look , the specks of green turn into parakeets adorning the beautiful stone carvings.

The family    of    Parakeets

Am overawed and pleasantly surprised, they are none other than   Alexandrine Parakeets.  Psittacula eupatria.

The red shoulder patch reveals the identity of the largest bird in the family of  Parakeets .

The male is distinctively  identified by its  red nape and black ring around the neck .

This couple had found a gorgeous 1100 year old Penthouse .

Settling in their Penthouse

An alert female member of the Alexandrine parakeet looks at all from the rooftop perch  of the Penthouse.

Do notice the black ring and red nape are absent. It is also distinctively smaller than the male.

The distinctive red shoulder patch

I understand from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrine_parakeet) that this native  Parakeet gets its name from the great Greek Emperor Alexander the Great.

This elderly  and very cross looking   lady member of the family of Alexandrines inhabiting the Qutab Minar complex paces up and down the carved ledge.

She seems to be upset with the incessant  cacophony of squeaking and squawking  created by the youngsters in the family.

Suddenly she turns a full 90 degrees  and peers  right into the eye of the camera.

Who are you taking pictures of  ?

This plump lady on the contrary loves the camera and poses in front the ancient stone flowers,

It seems to be a foodie, has dipped into the cookie jar too, check out the tell tale remnants around the large red beak.

The distinctive yellow tipped red beaks are a unique characteristic of this beautiful and very talkative Parakeet.

Reading the scriptures Am I

Do watch out for the red patch on the shoulder to identify the Alexandrine Parakeet.

Apparently they were taken from North West India to Europe in 326 BC by the Emperor Alexander.

The Iron or Ashok Pillar standing witness  in the courtyard of the Penthouse also dates back to  the same period  over 2000 years ago.

I loved the history lesson taught by the Alexandrine Parakeets. Did you too?

A DATE WITH THE SUN

A forest is a world of  magical splendour.

Nature can fire your imagination as the forests often Eclipse even the Mighty Sun.

The trees stretch out their arms and  turn themselves  into shades of black .

The lakes, mountains and the golden grasslands transform into shades of black as well.

A cloak of darkness creeps upon this Enchanting Forest.

                                                   The date palm tree attempts to date the Sun

Within seconds the sun is eclipsed and a halo forms around the Crown of the Palm Tree.

The forest plunges into darkness and all turns BLACK.

                                                The sun eclipsed by the Date Palm Tree

Other trees struggle to reach  out to the Sun and numbers seem to be on their side.

                                                             A tussle for the sun ensues

The bigger denser trees seem to be stronger and the tussle seems to be going their way as the others recede.

                                                                                               The Halo 

The Sun has however chosen  the Palm Tree and balance is gradually  restored.

                                                                        Order is restored 

Notice the glint in the eye of the Palm tree.

The forest will change colour once again.