Marshes

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @60mm, f7.1, Nikon Z 6

White-throated Kingfisher

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.

Diwali

Sigma 100-400 OS C @240mm, f6, ISO 3200; Nikon D750; the second day, Varanasi

By the River

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.

Bridge

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @24mm, f7.1, ND filter; Nikon Z 6 Low cloud, morning; we were aiming for aspect ratio more towards 4:3 here but regretted this when saw it on our screen. The hard vignetting particularly in the right top corner is caused by the profile of the filter holder screwed into the Hoya Fusion antistatic filter (that we didn't bother removing). We also used 3 shots and merged them in CS3; these ranged from - 2EV to -3EV (resulting in 1 EV shift in the exposure on respective shutters of 15, 10 and 8 seconds). A person on the bridge appears tiny to an observer. When you cross it you are not aware of the scenery under your feet and the bridge seems massive. It also is quite long, both bridges, this one and the one we went to next, were longer than the so-marked longest bridge in the Cherrapunji area where beautiful living bridges can be seen as well. The bridge continues into the clutter of trunks on either side, especially on the right-hand side which is where we came from. Time ago support was built for the second bridge above using the existing one, bamboo poles and some connecting roots (it is a way easier than from scratch). But things changed and there are other connecting routes that link the area with other villages, so the work had been abandoned. It seems this crossing will be lost once the bridge is gone when it dies or an extreme rush of water will damage it (not so rare).

Water Monitor

Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @280mm, f8, ISO 1600; Nikon Z 6; mangrove forest interior Odisha (Orrisa)

Weaver

Sigma 100-400 OS C @400mm, f6.3, ISO 125; D750; Mising (Miri) people along the Brahmaputra, Assam

Red Silk-cotton II

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @35mm, f7.1; Nikon Z 6 Its buttress roots make them favourite rubbing trees for elephants, rhinos and buffalos. This is a mixed moist forest. The composition of the grasslands it blends with is similar to those of Southeast Asia. The grasses visually flatten the terrain that can easily hide large mammals.

Red Silk-cotton

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @70mm, f3.5; Nikon Z 6 Bombax ceiba; one of the pillars of the Manas wilderness ecosystems with a whole set of specific plant/animal relations. Also a vital element in the recovery of the Indian tropical and sub-tropical forests. Assam

Flower

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @40mm, f2.8, over an hour after sunset, Z 6 Diwali, new moon evening Varanasi

Nilgai

Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 110; Nikon Z 6; younger bull, eastern Rajasthan

Sacred Pools

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @35mm, f8, ND filter; Nikon Z 6; Meghalaya is wild and rugged. Locals build steps in very steep slopes that withstand forces of cascading rivers during the rains (it has been quite dry for this region at this time). Or cut them into the rock faces. This scene is not far from a remote village. Khasi people are mostly Christians just as they are in this village (getting a guide on Sunday was a problem, not to mention to use a car). They made the cross in the Church by crossing two strips of green cloth on the front of the pulpit. Khasi from the village, just as from the village we passed and the one we were from, venerate features of nature as essential to them. We have seen a father with little daughter on ‘Sunday’s walk’ around this place. They were thoroughly enjoying themselves feeding fish in the river, looking at flowers, pools and falls. It was contagious. Here, a man living in the middle of it all on a Sunday’s stroll with his little daughter visibly filled with happiness that they positively radiated. Looking at things as if they came from the busiest City.

Rainforest

Nikkor 24-70/2.8 S @40mm, f7.1, morning fog (backlit); Nikon Z 6 Meghalaya