An early morning date with nature

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“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”

Henry David Thoreau

“She is bougainvillea. Lush, wild and so full of colors. She grows everywhere, yet belongs nowhere.”

The night prior to the day I need to wake up early, is invariably long and tiring. I am still figuring out why!!

I had planned to join an early morning* walk at the Aravalli Biodiversity Park located in the Vasant Kunj area (popularly known as South Central Ridge; a part of the bigger Delhi Ridge) and somehow convinced my better half and a school friend (with family) to join me. I barely slept that night and by the time I dozed off the alarm rang. Sounds similar?!

We reached the park on time (5.30 am) and found no one around. I made calls on the number I had of the group that was to take us around and was shocked to find it switched off. I sent some text messages too but then I knew there would be no revert since it weren’t getting delivered.

Anyways we started our walk ….. my eyes, ears all alert. My friend and her family joined in after ~45 mins 😀

Since it was our first visit and none of us are experts on flora, fauna and/or birds we did a little bit of exploration with a decision to come back again with an experienced guide.

Although Delhi was reeling in sultry heat;, that day it was cloudy, breezy and cooler, till the time we were at the park. God was happy with us!

“Clouds may hide the sun. But light still finds its way.”

“I’m very happy being me, although sometimes I’d love to be a bird so that I could fly.”

The park was full of early morning walkers and joggers. There are several पगडंडी / pugdandees  branching out from the main trail. I guess going in there would be good for bird sighting and checking out the plants hidden from the main trail view.

One of the many offshoots from the main trail, meant for birding and further exploration.

The walk was good and rewarding in its own way. We heard many bird calls, saw some, captured a few. Only regret that I could photograph the Wire Tailed Swallow;  Lord they were swift and a sight to behold!

Below, am sharing the photos of those we crossed path with. I am looking forward to more walks there and more addition to the list!

Ashy Prinia or Ashy Wren-Warbler (Prinia Socialis)

Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris Asiaticus) Female

Indian Silverbill (Euodice Malabarica)

Indian Robin (Saxicoloides Fulicatus Cambaiensis) Male

Blue-Headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra Alinae) Male

Yellow-Eyed Babbler (Chrysomma Sinense)

Jungle Babbler (Argya Striata)

Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus)

Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta Vagabunda)

Laughing Dove (Spilopelia Senegalensis)

Black Kite (Milvus Migrans)

List of birds seen (pics shared) in random order
1. Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta Vagabunda)
2. Black Kite (Milvus Migrans)
3. Laughing Dove (Spilopelia Senegalensis)
4. Ashy Prinia or Ashy Wren-Warbler (Prinia Socialis)
5. Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo Cristatus)
6. Yellow-Eyed Babbler (Chrysomma Sinense)
7. Indian Robin (Saxicoloides Fulicatus Cambaiensis) Male
8. Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris Asiaticus) Female
9. Indian Silverbill (Euodice Malabarica)
10. Jungle Babbler (Argya Striata)
Others seen but no photo to share:
11. Wire-Tailed Swallow (Hirundo Smithii)
12. Purple Sunbird Male
13. Red-Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus Cafer)
14. Sparrows
15. Common Myna
16. Peahens
17. Red-Wattled Lapwing
18. Black Drongo
19. Indian Bushlark

In flight in the sky —– the birds and the planes!

Sharing some photos of trees / shrubs that we captured during our walk. We would love to go back again though with an expert or a park team member who could be our guide. I realize there are lots of medicinal and otherwise useful flora in the Aravalli Biodiversity parks.

Goya-Khair or Sickle Bush (Dichrostachys Cinerea)

Chamrod (Ehretia Laevis)

Hingoon (Balanites Aegyptiaca)

Kateera Gum (Sterculia Urens)

Kaim or ‘True’ Kadamb (Mitragyna Parvifolia)

There is another bigger Aravalli Biodiversity Park which is in Gurgaon. I hope to visit it for sure, if not soon.

And …… wait till you hear this, embarrassing & hilarious! I received a calm revert to my message in the morning, *“The walk is in the evening“.

I was like, “OMG! How come I missed it” and I realized I owed an apology to them, which I did. Suddenly, I saw all eyes on me …….. but then we all laughed it away and thought the morning one was cooler and better since it allowed us to plan the rest of the day in peace.

We concluded our walk with some nutritious नारियल पानी (coconut water) and the usual departing notes of we will plan such walks soon…….

Cluster of plants behind the park signage

Signage of DDA Aravalli Biodiversity Park

I took help of the Ask ID groups of Indian Birds & Trees to conclude the name of some birds & trees. In case there is there is an err please do share the correct name; it would be of great help.

You can also read about my walk in Gurugram’s Aravalli Biodiversity Park here A walk amidst nature

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HAPPY  TRAVELLING!
Monika Ohson | TravelerInMe