Postcards from kaziranga- spreading her wings

A darter is busy drying its wings by the water bay while a stork prepares for its flight. Both birds look like they are mimicking the other but clearly both have very different plans.

The diverse density of the avian kind makes #Kaziranga an attractive destination for Bird-lovers.

A few more postcards of the avian kind can be followed on the next few links:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Blurring reflections, the storks flight
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Also, do read the Kaziranga Trails through the rest of the postcards in this series:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S 

Postcards from Kaziranga: Blurring reflections, the storks flight

#Hunting for its last meal of the day, a #stork gazes into the water in anticipation of a quick catch.

Patient and leisurely safari's along the various topographies of #Kaziranga bring alive the habitat of the jungle fot its enthusiasts. If you are a keen observer of wildlife, particularly birds, then this is the jungle for you.

#Sunsets are the most beautiful moments along the water bodies of this sanctuary. We spend a couple of hours watching different birds and their style of fishing on one of the evenings. The grace and beauty of these avians is beyond breathtaking and stunning!

A few more postcards of the avian kind can be followed on the next few links:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Also, do read the Kaziranga Trails through the rest of the postcards in this series:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S 

Postcards from Kaziranga: Mother rhino & her calf

Baby rhino's are slightly more adventurous compared to the adult. Though equally laid back, the playfulness in the little calves make it a sight to behold.

The pregnancy of a Rhino lasts for 18 months post which the calf stays with the mother for about another 3 years. Male calf tend to go solitary earlier than the female. Each pregnancy yeilds one baby, hence the precious baby demands nurturing that is naturally 'solitary'. The Rhino Mum is known to care for her baby until they move onto finding their own territory in the jungle. It is a known fact the mother mates only after her calf moves on before which she only cares for the baby.

It is believed that more and more rhinos need to reproduce and allow for the calves to mature into healthy adults in order to save this species from extinction. The long pregnancy cycle followed by even longer caring cycles suggests a slow reproduction cycle but it is evident that this species help in maintain the flaura-fauna and balance of its habitat in a big way.

Poaching of this animal for its horn is the most common reason for driving them to extinction.

More on the Rhino's in some more postcards. Meanwhile don't miss the earlier ones!

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat

#Kaziranga National Park is green, after-all the land is soaked in water and has rich soil. It is the perfect habitat for the wild and that's something thriving in plenty in this topography.

This park is popularly known for its dense habitat of the #Rhino family. While you may find them spread out throughout the landscape and at a distance, getting up close and studying them in their being is quiet a captivating experience.

#Rhinoceros are bulky, big and quiet possessive of their own- whether its their calf or their mud puddles or simply their patch of green grass...they strike hard! Apart from the avian kinds (the ones that hover around them all the while pecking on food from their skin) they do attack anyone who stalls their peaceful space.

They can eat for hours together and then soak in water for even longer... These guys represent the word 'laid-back' with full authority!

More on the Rhino's in some more postcards. Meanwhile don't miss the earlier ones!

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Indian wild elephant herd cross over from one end of a river to the other in the dense Kaziranga jungles.

Kaziranga National Park has a healthy population of Indian wild elephants, sometimes seen in herds of nearly 200 at a time. Thanks to the moderate conditions combined with availability of enough food supports the growth and survival of these mamals.

We spend numerous memorable moments stalking this grand elephant herd. The baby elephants particularly caught our fancy, after all they are playful and so protected. Watching the wild in its own habitat indeed is addictive!

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

A flock of bar headed goose make a fashionable landing at one of the stunning water ramps of Kaziranga National Park.

Did you know: 

Flight of the Bar-headed Goose is known to have recorded flight heights of more than 7,000m (23,000ft). This is the only species of birds that have been seen flying over Mount Everest quiet effortlessly. Bar-headed goose have fascinated biologists for decades. They achieve physiological feats that seem impossible - flying at extreme altitude, where there is less than 10% the oxygen found at sea level.

Kaziranga National Park is recognised as one of the premium birding zones in Asia. It is believed that nearly 478 species of birds flock this land which includes 40+ endangered bird families.

November through March are the peak migratory seasons and likelihood of spotting some rare birds is highly likely. If you happen to be a Bird enthusiast do make sure to have a good naturalist accompany you for your safari, ask for the East Zone safari and do check on the Bird Trail with breakfast, a must do while at Kaziranga.

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Festivals of India: Bogi, Pongal, Sankranti & Lohri

May the warmth of the rising sun bring about the positive transformation & change in your world!

Happy Bogi, Pongal, Sankranti & Lohri to everyone at S2S!

Glimpses from a Lohri celebration. 

Lohri is the belief that it is the cultural celebration of the winter solstice. Lohri is meant to be celebrated on the shortest day of the year. A key feature of Lohri is the bonfire. Lighting of the fire has been common in winter solstice festivals throughout time and the world: it signifies the return of longer days. For some the bonfire has a religious meaning, a remnant of ancient origins, perhaps?
For others, the bonfire is no more than a tradition and a time to socialise and make merry.

More images of Festivals of India on the S2S Facebook timeline.

Wish you a great season ahead!

Xoxo,
S2S