tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59617157825488520832024-03-14T00:10:38.894+05:30Trails of a TravelerA blog on my travel experiences and photographyTrails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-32839526510854915872023-12-28T15:29:00.006+05:302023-12-28T15:41:45.738+05:30Nelapattu Bird Sanctuaryவெள்ளை அரிவாள் மூக்கன் Quick drive to Nelapattu Bird SanctuaryAs soon as I received the Nikon Z180-600mm lens, I desperately wanted to test it and take some photographs of birds, predominantly in action / flight. After all that was the main purpose of getting this lens.But the recent rains in Chennai and surrounding areas put a hurdle on the plans. Finally, got a chance this past Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-69795887553668739222022-08-26T22:50:00.003+05:302022-08-27T11:16:59.985+05:30Bird Photography - Ramanagara Bird Photography at RamanagaraRecently had the opportunity to test the Nikon F mount 400mm f2.8 lens along with the Nikon Z9 using FTZ2 adapter. So this was completely a Bird Photography rather than bird watching. Photos were taken from a hide about 10 to 15 feet away from the bird perch.Initially wanted to use the 1.4TC as well, but since we were in a hide and the birds were only about 10 Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2Ramanagara, Karnataka 562159, India12.7208614 77.27989629999999-15.589372436178845 42.12364629999999 41.031095236178842 112.43614629999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-16541113779204015922022-08-20T17:25:00.000+05:302022-08-20T17:25:07.287+05:30Karzok and Tso MoririPanoramic view of KarzokKarzok and Tso MoririIf there is one word, other than the obvious adjective of "majestic", to describe the Himalayas that would be "RUGGED". Yes, that would be in BOLD and CAPS!Above a certain altitude the Himalayas is more of a desert than anything else. Coming from the southern part of India where the western ghats are more of a rainforest, this view of HImalayas Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2Karzok 19440432.968125 78.26398854.6578911638211551 43.107738499999996 61.278358836178846 113.4202385tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-79548807966637185342022-08-13T23:21:00.011+05:302022-08-13T23:34:31.816+05:30Hemis Monastery and Tse-ChuHemis Monastery and Tse-Chu FestivalThe Hemis Monastery is the most popular monastery and is also the largest and the most wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. This monastery has some of the most valuable and ancient collections of Buddhist artifacts.The Tse-Chu festival, or more popularly called as the Hemis Festival, is celebrated on the 2nd lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. This is celebrated toTrails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-7240970151832816832022-08-07T22:57:00.002+05:302022-08-08T21:14:52.997+05:30Thiksay MonasteryBuddha at the Thiksay MonasteryVibrant MonasteriesLadakh is one place where several cultures come together. All of these cultures are very historical dating back millenium.The buddhist culture, especially, is one of the very vibrant and colourful. Their monasteries and festivals are also quite unique and colourful. Here are a few photos from the Thiksay Monastery and its surroundingsView of Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2Leh Manali Highway Thiksey Jammu and Kashmir, Thiksey, 19420134.0568266 77.6669625999999915.7465927638211554 42.510712599999991 62.367060436178846 112.82321259999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-51853690204492118552022-08-03T23:38:00.005+05:302022-08-04T09:22:38.848+05:30Pangong Lake - Ladakh Pangong TsoPangong Lake (Tso in Tibetan) is one of the largest lakes in India and also at a very high altitude of over 13000 feet. It is so vast (700 sq. km) that different part of the lake offers different experience and views at different times of the day and year!Here are some of the photos taken over a couple of days, during various times of the day. I am sharing with a disclaimer that Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com1Pangong Tso33.7595131 78.667440399999995.449279263821154 43.51119039999999 62.069746936178845 113.82369039999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-30947136585158305252022-01-22T15:18:00.005+05:302022-01-23T17:37:53.831+05:30Butterflies at my BackyardCommon Mormon Female Butterflies in my BackyardWe can safely assume that there may not be too many people who would not smile upon seeing these colourful little flying objects that are the butterflies!It comes in all shapes, sizes and colours that are amazing! Apart from the bringing a smile the butterflies are quite important in the ecosystem! Just like the bees, the butterflies too play anTrails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-69209814370412971872021-10-23T22:49:00.004+05:302021-10-25T10:58:02.664+05:30The Soulful TreeTHE SOULFUL TREE!The Soulful TreeI am what the humans call a dead tree! I had been full of "life" once, like my other siblings. But all of us have our time, don't we? Once our time arrives we will be dead, but that only makes us "lifeless" and not really "soulless"!Coconut Tree at its primeRight enough of spirituality and philosophy, but the point is that in nature, nothing is actually dead! Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-268678346980283802021-09-25T22:23:00.002+05:302021-09-25T23:11:28.941+05:30Hennagara LakeA panoramic view of the Hennagara LakeHennagara LakeBangalore has quite a few lakes within the city with a good bio-diversity. One such lake that I used to frequent is the Hennagara lake near Jigani in Bangalore. With 330 acres, this is a fairly big lake, especially considering this is within the city.I have made a few trips, in the last couple of years, to the lake due to its proximity to where Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com15Hennagara Lake, Karnataka 56010512.7769479 77.660771099999991-15.533285936178846 42.504521099999991 41.087181736178849 112.81702109999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-68702293906236888782021-03-14T22:51:00.001+05:302021-03-14T22:51:16.718+05:30Kabini - The Tiger haven of SouthA adult female tiger. Mother of 3 grown up cubs Kabini wildlife photography tripThis destination has been a long pending one for me. Finally when it was about to get materialized last March, corona decided to play the spoil sport. So had to wait for one more year to make this trip.Finally it did happen in the last weekend of February and it was worth the wait! We used to often hear that Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-24437619590880441112020-11-15T15:54:00.000+05:302020-11-15T15:54:40.238+05:30Backyard BirdsGood Morning!Happy to meet you all again with a follow up of my Balcony Birds blog. Since I posted this back in April, there have been a few new visitors in your backyard, so wanted to share those with you.If you have not visited my earlier post on what is going on in my backyard, you can either visit the Balcony Photography blog or check the video I made on my backyard - Welcome to the Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com6Doddathogur Rd, Konappana Agrahara, Electronic City, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560100, India12.8517252 77.6528568-15.458508636178845 42.496606799999995 41.161959036178843 112.8091068tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-90126665603699387402020-07-19T17:04:00.006+05:302020-07-25T14:27:48.726+05:30Hampi - A treasure troveSunriseHampi - A treasure troveClick here for more photosHampi is known to everyone as a UNESCO heritage site with its extraordinary architecture. Some of the temples and structure go back a millennium, weathering the onslaught of various invasions, treasure hunters and weather.There is art in every stone and it could take a lifetime, for anyone who is interested in architecture, to Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-90714240042030960102020-05-14T22:18:00.000+05:302020-05-15T10:43:55.118+05:30Agumbe - A world of its own
Cobra - after being rescued
The Amazing Agumbe
Here are more photos from Agumbe
It has been quite sometime (Apr, 2016) since I had visited this amazing place - Agumbe. Thanks to Birdwing Travel and Photography, who had arranged this trip, specifically for the macro life of Agumbe.
I had earlier visited Agumbe in 2010 with friends. This was more of a travel experience without too Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-21030306820561492972020-04-25T15:09:00.002+05:302020-06-09T22:09:25.506+05:30Balcony Photography
The farm as viewed from my balcony
Photography from Balcony
While the lock down is still effective, there is no way of going out with the camera for bird photography or any kind of photography.
However, I would say I am blessed in a way to have a balcony that gives me quite some opportunities for helping me keep engaged with what I love to do! Having a farm right in front of the Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-31310820641943047312020-02-23T23:20:00.002+05:302020-03-05T22:54:00.930+05:30Birding at Goa
Brahminy Kite on alert
Birding at Goa
More photos in this link
What is the first thing that comes to our mind while mentioning Goa? Beaches, Old European buildings, a multi-cultured crowd enjoying the beaches etc.? Well yes, I too had the same impression about Goa, as I have not been there before. But, there is another side to this wonderful place that is not much seen or shown inTrails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-18375507830516784532020-02-09T15:37:00.000+05:302020-03-06T18:34:23.798+05:30Valparai Trip
Aliyar dam and reservoir
Quite naturally, Valparai!
Click here for more photos from Valparai
Valparai is a place that is still a good spot for those who would want to have a good taste of the nature. Though there is a steep increase in the tourist and commercialization off late, some place still holds its natural beauty!
The tea estates have replaced the forests in quite a few Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-73512550968971659262020-01-15T22:58:00.000+05:302020-03-10T11:34:51.768+05:30Nagarhole Safari
Golden fronted leafbird
A Wildlife Safari at Nagarhole Sanctuary
Recently got a chance to do a safari in Nagarhole sanctuary. We had time to do a couple of safaris, one in the evening and another in the following morning.
The naturalists had already got a tip off that there is a leopard in the buffer area which had a deer kill and might come back for the kill to finish it off for its Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-38298376997802695192019-06-30T23:41:00.000+05:302019-07-06T13:02:15.998+05:30Sikkim - The Natural Beauty - Part 2
Khechopalri Lake
Enjoy the Sikkim photos here
On returning from Lachen, we heaeded towards Lachung, after having lunch in Thangu Valley. We had to come all the way back to Chunthang Valley and take the diversion to Lachung. Once again unless one knows the terrain well, it is extremely difficult to drive in these route. Nevertheless the route is never devoid of its natural beauty!
Not a Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-65787021822730130352019-06-09T20:34:00.000+05:302019-06-09T22:01:40.124+05:30Sikkim - The Natural Beauty - Part 1
Panoramic view of Himalayas
Sikkim - The Natural Beauty (Part 1)
There was one place (alright a few places) which I wanted to visit for a long time - Sikkim. Have heard so much about the natural beauty of the place, seen photographs, but never got a chance to visit. But not anymore. Made time and the plan to visit.
Fine, where do I start from? Don't know anyone there whom I can check Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-66570831255762812782019-05-25T16:53:00.000+05:302019-05-26T20:22:47.258+05:30Europe Trip
Alps on the Austrian side
Road trip in Europe
Here are some more high resolution photos of Europe
It was the Easter weekend and I was in Europe. Along with a couple of colleagues we decided to have a trip for 3 days in the Europe. Planning went till the last moment and finally decided we will travel south into Austria and if time permits to Italy as well.
The next morning we rented a Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-61453641942579203882019-02-23T21:22:00.000+05:302019-02-23T21:22:16.734+05:30A Day in Switzerland
Switzerland or Swiss will be high on the list of anyone who would like to visit a place for its sheer natural beauty. So it was a like a dream come true (well almost), when I landed in Zurich airport in the last week of January.
It was an official trip for a week, so did not get much time to explore the place. However, we made sure that we will explore the place on the last day of our Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-69430049301421032822019-01-06T00:00:00.001+05:302019-01-06T00:00:16.338+05:30First Impressions on the Nikkor 200-500mm lens
The Brahminy Kite emerging from a shaded building into the light
Link for photos with Nikon D750 and Nikkor 200-500 mm lens.
Recently added the Nikkor 200-500mm lens to my kitty. Here are some first impressions about the lens. This is by no means a lab review of the lens, but completely done outdoors. So my presentation will be of photos. All the photos in this blog are taken using Nikon Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-73573983198948412482018-11-10T22:42:00.000+05:302018-11-11T07:57:13.666+05:30Cincinnati
Downtown Cincinnati across the Ohio river on a Windy
Link to more photos from Cincinnati for better resolution
My recent visit to Cincinnati presented me with some good opportunities to explore the place and click some photographs. So decided to start with my favorite - the view of the downtown from across the Ohio river in the evening.
It was a very windy evening with the temperature Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-5028975621028706252018-09-13T22:40:00.000+05:302018-09-13T22:40:18.621+05:30Mobile Landscapes
Secret Ivory Resort
Landscapes have been one of my favorites in photography after Birds and Macros. But, I have never been a great fan of mobile photography until recently.
Though I used to take some photos using my mobile with some decent outputs, never had taken it seriously, for various reasons. That changed recently, when I bought the Huawei P20 Pro with its critically acclaimed camera.
Trails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5961715782548852083.post-31814335291258416822018-08-14T17:33:00.000+05:302018-08-14T17:33:39.965+05:30The Neighbours
The Neighbourhood
Back with a after a very long hibernation. Not sure if I will continue, even though I would very much want to.
This time around, a shorter blog with some of the beautiful neighbours I share my home with. Now, I am not talking about the people, but about the others.
As a depart from the norm, the blog is neither about photography, nor about any of my travelsTrails of a Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350573538744007722noreply@blogger.com3