Young green comes after the winter.
Short stay in the Netherlands which I used for some spring photography. Young green comes after the winter. This was yesterday evening, today walked around the forest and saw several young green plants. Nice to see and capture the start of growth again.
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Last weeks we had some colleagues over from the Netherlands. Being here also for the weekend it gave some opportunity for sightseeing. The first was only a day trip on Sunday, not really far but as Peter hadn't seen anything yet we just took a short trip to Nandi Hills. Nice place to get some feeling for the Indian history and culture without going far. This gives some of the landscape as from the top you have a nice look around. Next to that there is a very old temple that gives a good impression of Indian temples. According Wikipedia: Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple (Kannada: ಭೋಗ ನಂದೀಶ್ವರ ದೇವಾಲಯ) (also spelt "Bhoga Nandishwara" or "Bhoga Nandishvara") is a Hindu temple located in Nandi village, at the base of Nandi Hills (or Nandidurga) in the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka state, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Last weekend I was with Agnieszka at Kabini. This is a forest area with lake where a lot of animals live. Typically you will meet a lot of guys with special camera's and 500mm lenses all covered in camouflage wrappers. For me this was my second trip to the place, first one with some more capabilities in the camera, with extender to my longest sense I come to 400 mm. But turned out to be very valuable this time. We left Saturday morning early this time taking a drive instead of driving myself. Breakfast on the way as we started around 7 am. Smooth ride brought us there around 13:00. Mysore Road is not really an interesting road to take so nothing special from there. Stay was nice having two roams next to each other with view on the lake, little bit disguised by the trees. The evening safari was with the jeep. On the way in we learned that it was a sad day as one of the officers of the park was killed by an elephant when he was trying to take out a fire. For us it started with a lot of Monkeys and Deer. For us still special but for the others "hunting" for the large animals not really. So we stopped once or twice but not really having good opportunities to catch nice photos. The first catch was the Sambar, which is a deer. Next catch was still a small animal but beautiful to see, a bird the Indian Roller (Thanks Agnieszka). After that a lot more small animals including some wild boars. Next real thing was three elephants, coming out of the bushes at a small pond to drink. Although I had seen in the mean time several of them it is still impressive to meet them. The real catch of the day however showed up at the end of the track, being late already several cars were waiting around a T section of the "road" somehow they knew that something large was there. phones used very often to let others know or check with others. Then slowly we saw on our right a leopard walking. not good to see in the shade but still a real catch. Waiting for some more time he/she felt comfortable enough to just cross the road in front of us giving a good view through beautiful sunshine. After that heading home as it was already getting late as they really stretched the trip Nice and quite evening, windy but a good place to sleep, not late as the next morning would be an early rise for the morning Safari by boat. The morning gave us a complete different view on the environment as it was foggy. Only small set of people from our lodge and a set from a lodge on the other side. Still wondering what the route was as we noticed on the way back that they were closer than estimated on the way to them. No real catch this morning although it was a very interesting experience. Almost got sick as there was no orientation possible at all even with a very calm river/lake. But also learned a lot of the challenges of taking photos in the fog with no sun behind it. Grey with quite some noise I would say for a lot of the pictures. Still some nice shots including a big crocodile. After the brunch we left back home to be back before the crowd.
For the full set of photos from the Safari see the Kabini photo page. Office was closed between Christmas and New Year, so a good time to go out (26-30 December) and enjoy the beauty of the country. This year I went to what is called God's own country (Kerala). Don't know how this name was chosen but I can understand that people say this about the place. On the way out I stayed for a night in Mysore as I didn't want to take the drive completely in one day. Stayed this time in the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel which looks indeed like a palace with lots of space around. Next day I drove to Vythiri where I would stay for three nights at the Vythiri Village Resort. Complete arrangement with three meals included. This way I didn't have to think about where to eat. Next morning I joined the guided tour to see something of the surroundings. This is the easiest way to get around and see the better places close to the resort. On the back side were the hills with the tea plantations. This gave me some nice morning shots, although not really early it was still with the right sunlight. Used the late morning to cycle to a dam "close-by", around 24 kilometres away. the guy at the reception said is was a flat road. Well means that definition of flat is not the same in Kerala as it is in the Netherlands. Overall quite some climbing and going down. But made it to the dam and back in a reasonable time, strangely coming back was easier than I expected. Most likely one of those mind games. Friday morning I used to go out on my own and walk around the tea plantations at my speed and timing. I didn't realise until I came to coffee estate that there is a lot more than tea in Wayanad. Was shown a good homestay, so might keep it in mind for another time. Also got the advice to go to Fringe Fort, so really need to find the right time to go there and enjoy the environment. My walk showed the beauty of the country and the ladies busy with the tea. Friday I used also for cycling, but this time not that far away. Wanted to see the lake but that was so crowded that I just passed by and went on to the view point. Here I managed to take the photo that I used for my new-years wish for 2018. Overall nice stay, no hurry, good food and a smooth ride back on Saturday to stay away from the crowd coming back. from holidays.
Full set of photos on the photo page. First weekend of December I used to join a friend and his wife for a trip to Nagaland, one of the states in the North-east behind Bangladesh. An area that has a mixed temperature I would say as it has mountains and with that it can be cold in the night. It was the weekend that the Hornbill Festival was starting. This festival is a gathering where the 17 different tribes come together and keep all tribal tradition alive. Unfortunately we only where there during the opening day. As the president was coming the security was very tight, but seems always the opening day. Still good to get a glimpse of what it is. Means a good reason to go back in the coming years and than plan some more time in Kohima. Anakali is from Nagaland and had arranged the complete trip, we stayed with her family in the different places we visited. First night in Kohima with a beautiful view over Kohima in the morning. As everywhere we had a fire made to take out the real cold in the morning and evenings. The first part of the day we used for two things. First a quick visit to the local museum where we could only look at the outside items as this holiday it was closed. Still a nice impression of the local art. Secondly we went up the mountain to be present at the opening of the Festival. This was a long wait and in the meantime getting a small impression of the different tribes and their traditional dressing. During the opening all gave a short performance of their "dancing". Some much more warriors going for a "fight" and some a more peaceful dance. Most likely dance is not the right term, but don't know what it would be called. The festival has set up a tribe house for every tribe where some members are showcasing their dress, all very colourful and impressive. In the afternoon we drove back to Dimapur after a short viva to the war cemetery. In Dimapur we stayed at Anakali's parents. Next day (Saturday) we took the train to get to the house in the mountains. For this the train to Mariani was the easiest way as we were to many to go by car. From there with two autos to our final destination. We stayed at a nice bamboo house in the mountains, you won't be able to see the house in google maps so have to see the photo. Early in the morning I got up to enjoy the sunrise. Beautiful views of the fields covered with fog. Slowly trees showing up with also the electricity net. Just when I thought I was ready it turned out that I had started early and almost missed the sun. So another half hour of taking photos to catch the sun on the fog. Later that day back to Dimapur again by train. This went through Assam so I have also visited one more state.
Next day starting on time with a visit to the sawing factory of Anakali's dad. After that on our way to the airport as the flight back is not the most optimal timing, leaving around 13:00 and arriving only at Bangalore after 23:00 with a long stop in Kolkata. For all photos see the photo page Nagaland. Start of October I had a trip to the north part of India. Leh / Ladakh is an area in the Himalaya that I visited some years back through a trip organised by Toehold; going around the area and visiting several of the monasteries. The last years I have been taken tours with Darter as they have more on landscape and culture in the program, which is more the kind of photography I take. As regular traveler I got the details of the trip by mail early this year before it came on the website and it didn't take long to decide to join. Look at the trip details for next year and you will see why. The coming time I will go over the trip day by day and give you a feeling about the trip. It was cold in the night (yes also for me as Dutch guy), but an Indian military style sleeping bag kept me warm. Air was thin so no running or quick hiking up the mountains. Food was very good, made by the 4 man support (Tashi, Lobsang, Tashi and fourth name I didn't get) taking care of the campsite, the tents and all other things we needed to be able to concentrate on photography. Movement was by cars with two amazing drivers / guides (Ang Chuk and Stobgais) as they know a lot about the area and the people. Stobgais as nomad himself was a liaison between the group and the nomads. Showers were luckily not available as it would mean we had rain. Organisers/Guides from Darter were Arun and Manish, supported by the office in Bangalore that we didn't need during the trip. You might find the day stories being placed before this one as I will put them on the real date of the trip. The rest I will tell by the days, but if you can't wait for that you can start looking at the photos.
Last day, feels strange all went fast, but also good to go back with a lot of memories and impressions. Road along the Indus is the same mix as the environment. Now and then perfect and beautiful and that in contrast to the places where they are still building the road and you literately have to pass the construction side. The environment is showing mountains with nothing and some places with a lot of green, yellow by now as the winter is coming. Good ride back with no real challenges, only speeding ticket at the end as the cars and drivers were smelling home. Last shopping in the village and tomorrow closing the hotel and going home.
Getting closer to the end of the trip, today switching to the Indus trying to find the nomads that stay close to the river. On our way out we can see that it is getting cold, ice on the river. We also make a stop at the lake as there is a herd walking around and eating the grass. After that slowly moving to our next camping place, which turned out to have changed from camping to staying at a monastery. Here we had lunch before going further upstream to see the nomads. Going up we saw the beauty of the mountains, almost no moment having a single colour. Meaning a lot of pictures on the way with also several stops to get a better look at the Kiangs. At the end of our permit (Robert and me as foreigners could not get further) it turned out that the nomads already left, so only the view and nothing more. Still magnificent views. On our way back a good view on the monastery, nicely lit by the sun.
Starting to get used to the height, so had a good night sleep. Still no running however. Starting early to catch smoke, sunrise and other morning elements. Not really foggy so all seems to be clear immediately. Most of the tents have the heating on, meaning smoke from the chimney. After some overview shots we started with the Yak milking Going back to the tent for tea, and getting a difficult shot as this lady was getting water. Feels terrible to just stand there and see her taking the full can of water back to the house. I know I can't really help but guessing that here age most likely is in the area that she could be my mother makes it difficult to let her carry the stuff. Language barrier doesn't help. 😒 The visit was to one of the Yak tents. The big surprise comes when you enter the tent, the tent is only the top halve of the living space. It is put on top of a hole in the ground as deep as the tent is high. Result is a tent high enough for me (and I am considered a tall Dutch guy). With the stove in the middle it comes to a nice temperature even warm you can say. got the explanation on how the yak tea is made. Overall good to experience. Tent is made of stripes of yak wool and takes years to create. Maintenance means strips are replaced if needed. After that we had some horseman posing for us, here we practised the use of the flash to light up the subject. Quite some time but managed to get the hang of it and also some nice shots. For this then the challenge is what is the right one to use. After lunch we went to the village near the lake to visit the monastery, again one for us alone as the season is really over. The tents we stayed in last time are no longer there and village seems to have only locals. After this some time at the lake and back home to make sure we are there before sunset. After dinner one more action, this time catching the Milky Way. No long shots just long enough to get the real sky that we most of the time can't see at home. With that the day was over and the sleeping bag was calling.
This time as said a good night sleep, might have been the paracetamol that kept my head clear. Today we will be shifting so mix of morning pictures before breakfast and after that packing. Just wandered around and looking for the yak milking and other activities. Some nice things as some of the goats had been in the wrong place and needed to get back to their own herd. After this out to see the herds leaving again. nice to see that some needed to be stopped to avoid mixing of them. After breakfast we were supposed to be leaving but one of the cars had some problem. First idea here is the fuel line. so cleaning the path and then getting it full again. means taking in air until the fuel comes out. Not the nicest thing to do but seems essential with diesel. After that still no go checked the battery by switching with the other car. Still no go while the other car good easily start with the battery. So in the end pushed the car over the top to let it run down hill. This time it started but turned out that still wouldn't start without moving (Start engine?). As a result the next days the car was every time parked up hill to allow free run for starting. With that we could move to our next destination. Not much to say about the moving, turned out to be a place a stayed before, then close to the lake in the village, now up hill close to the nomads.
Day doesn't start good or better said the night was not great. Terrific camping gear with the double sleeping bag that fits my size, but still bad night with not enough sleep. As a result I was late for the morning shots of milking as that is first thing in the morning before the herds are leaving. Walking around takes a lot of energy, so see how the day will go. After breakfast going into the "village" to get photo's of the daily activities. I was wearing the socks I bought the day before and that made the lady very happy. Had different places to shoot, unfortunately not all ended in good pictures. For some of them it seems I was too quickly satisfied or height kept me from really checking well as the last session give me the right picture. Either not sharp or not the right light. Still couple of nice shots, some just the face and some more environmental photos. At the end of the day we went out to catch the returning herds, looking for the perfect balance between light, shadows, herd, shepherd and dust. This all must be done without running around as that still is not in my budget of air. Means that I have to guess what the right place will be in the next 10 to 15 minutes or maybe shorter as the animals are quite fast. Still some nice shots with most of the elements. Sunset is early as the mountains take it away before it is really set. Means that we have an early dinner and after that some tea and sleep. As I missed a lot the night before I didn't mind getting in early. Last act of the day I thought would be writing the story of the day in my note book. But nature called after three hours of sleep, so out of the bag into the cold. After that a good night and up at normal time tomorrow.
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I am Wim Corbijn living in the Netherlands after 8 years Bangalore. Archives
October 2021
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