Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 450; Nikon Z 6; crop (between APS-C and MFT); Marshes in eastern Rajasthan are dynamic, often fluctuating and today scarce parts of the ecosystems. This species of kingfisher catches regularly insects for the fish can be available for certain, sometimes brief parts of the year. Here he caught an aquatic beetle but they are catching terrestrial insects with no water in sight just as naturally.
Sigma 100-400 OS C @240mm, f6, ISO 3200; Nikon D750; the second day, Varanasi
Sigma 100-400 OS C @150mm, f5.3, ISO 160; Nikon D 750 The man’s been fishing on a small river close to the house surrounded by lovely fields (in a spread-out village). A larger river flows further north, about an hour of walk. We spent some time talking about his equipment. The people here are not used to meeting visitors from far away, and apart from a few words don’t speak Hindi. But like other places we have been to, people won’t miss a chance to have a chat with a neighbour or passer-by. There are tens of distinct languages used in the Northeast. His wife was happy to have a photograph taken of her when I hinted over my shoulder unimportantly. But she first adjusted the dress adding a scarf brought from inside of the house. The man was genuinely troubled he can’t make a tea for us (not that I think we looked thirsty). They didn’t have any tea for themselves. The moment and the face, in particular, make this encounter live in memory. After the exchange, where gestures played a major role, we thanked them with namaste. You always feel honoured by this openness. I lost the second parent earlier this year. Maybe something of that flashed through my mind as well. The path bent. A question sounded aloud. What is the equivalent to that cap of tea he wanted to make us? We looked at each other’s face. Still unsure.
