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Posts from the ‘Seasons’ Category

10
Aug

Magical Rains: Weekend Drive to Panshet (2013)

:: Galleries – Nature: Seasons – Monsoon:

Rains are one of nature’s blessings, and more so to countries like India that are largely dependent on the annual monsoon season – a lifeline for the sub-continent. Fortunately for us, we (individually speaking, that is) are not governed by the vagaries of the monsoon, and that gives us a chance to experience and witness the wonder of the rains.

Close to Pune, about 50km out from the western edge, is a (still) sleepy little place called Panshet. Nestled amidst the mountains of the Sahyadri Range, this is also a catchment area and a source of water supply to many downstream villages, including the rapidly growing town of Pune.

Recently, with the timely arrival of monsoon in India, it was time to head out and enjoy the lush scenery after a hot and scorching summer rendered the hill slopes, rivers and trees dry. It was this thought that took us on a weekend drive to Panshet, and the scenic vistas of lush fields, rain-cloud kissed hills and bouts of sunlight amidst the rain that unfolded cannot be described in words. See the album for yourself [and, we made a promise to come back for more, before the season ends!]

Click any picture below to view this album


Amazingly scenic settings like this one greet you on the way to Panshet, making you want to just stop and stay.

Amazingly scenic settings...enroute Panshet

In this album:
 
A lush field of paddy is drenched in the fresh rains, enroute to Panshet Farms, fields, river, hills, clouds...there's nothing more one can ask for in this picturesque place (enroute to Panshet) A lone cottage stands perched atop the rolling hills, as clouds appear to engulf the top of the hill in this picturesque place (enroute to Panshet)
Amazingly scenic settings like this one greet you on the way to Panshet, making you want to just stop and stay. (Can't get enough of it) The freshly sown paddy seems to glow a fluorescent green in this amazing season, amidst a spectacular backdrop, even as a kingfisher claims the best seat! A lush green patchwork of fields extends as far as the eye can see (enroute to Panshet) The magic of the rains is seen all around, as the surroundings literally come alive.
A scenic, albeit bumpy drive led us to Lake Weekend Resort, which provided a breathtaking view of the backwaters of Panshet Dam Overlooking the Warasgaon Lake at Panshet, as we stopped for what was to be a sumptuous home-cooked lunch! A closer look at the waters of the Warasgaon Lake, muddied by fresh rainfall The Lake Weekend Resort is situated in a wonderful setting, and the winding trails are calling to be explored!
Feels like a tropical rain forest - view of Warasgaon Lake A (bad) camera setting freezes the rain drops as a storm passes through, against the spectacular backdrop of the Warasgaon Lake Just can't get enough of the views at this spot! The sit-out at Lake Weekend Resort provides a great setting in this weather. Thoroughly enjoyable!

8
Jun

Spring/Summer in Pune (2012-13)

May 2012-13

:: Galleries – Nature: Seasons – Spring

Spring is when the natural world comes alive on our planet. And, it is a treat to find and discover the multiple hues of yellows, greens, pinks or oranges as trees around the city come alive! It’s now become a favorite for me… Here’s another set of more (recent) pictures from a Spring-Summer break!

(See more pictures in the Spring-Summer in Pune (2008-10) album.


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Fiery Gulmohar flowers in bloom at the start of summer

Nature:Seasons - Spring/Summer 2012/13

In this album:
 
Brightly adorned gulmohars line many roads in Pune The gulmohar, with its orange-red flowers thrives in dry and hot conitions Driving by a city road on a hot afternoon, that's lit up by the oranges of the Gulmohar trees A totally flower-bedecked Gulmohar offers respits from the scorching sun. (Photo modified with a photoshop effect!)
Known as the 'flame of the forest', the gulmohar adds fire to an otherwise monotonous cityscape A quiet street - lush in the greenery; the street is empty more due to the scorching temperatures than anything else! A gulmohar in full bloom can't be missed! The red-orange flowers of the Gulmohar light up a dry, hot lane in the city
'A Tree of Life' ! No wonder the Gulmohar is called the 'Flame of the Forest'! This amazing tree (don't know what it's called) comes abloom entirely in yellow flowers. Words cannot describe it. Bright yellow flowers of this tree are a treat to watch. The pink bouganvillae are the icing!
The gulmohar flowers come in shades of orange and red - each five-petalled, with one petal more whitish (and tasty too!) A close-up of the dense cluster of flowers on a Gulmohar, the 'flame of the forest' A glow of yellow flowers shines in the summer sun in a quiet vicinity (in Pune) Spring Blossom: Beautiful bunches of bright yellow flowers
Spring Blossom: Leaves, flowers or grapes? Pretty yellow blossoms!

4
May

Spring/Summer in Pune (2008-10)

May 2008

:: Galleries – Nature: Seasons – Spring

Spring is that time of our planetary cycle, when Nature comes alive after the cold period of wintery weather. And, you just have to look around – or outside, depending on where you are – to see the bounty of nature greet you. Here are pictures from shots taken at various times just hoping to capture the beauty as best as possible.

Autumn colors are well-known to many, but Spring is equally, if not more, spectacular! Keep watching this space, as capturing Spring colors, is just turning into a hobby for me!


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View from my balcony

Nature:Seasons - Spring 2008

In this album:
 
View from my balcony Gulmohar trees...in fiery hues Gulmohar blossoms in hues of reds...
Pink bougainvillae in the garden... Pink bougainvillae in the garden... Bright pink bougainvillae...
Pretty paths lined by pink bougainvillae in the garden...