Sun Bird

My painting of a Sun bird on canvass

K G Wetlands & the Osprey

I went birding with the Delhi Bird group after a long time, we went to KG wetlands. I was thrilled to see the Osprey so close. My mother was also thrilled that she could take some great snaps. Now with winter over, most of these birds will be going back flying ten thousand kilometres.

After i came back home i was hoping if i could be one of them !! Or atleast enter into their body for sometime !!

We spotted or rather the birds which spotted us were

1. Osprey
2. Two Aquila Eagles (likely Greater Spotted),
3. Male & female Marsh Harriers
4. Ducks numbered at over 100, mostly comprising of
Shovelers,
Gadwall,
Garganeys,
Spotbills,
Common Teals,
Common Pochards and Comb Ducks.
5. Notable Waders included 20+ Avocets,
Spotted Redshanks,
Black-tailed Godwits and a few Marsh Sandpipers.

6. Pied Kingfisher hovering and diving for fish,
7. Some vocal River Terns,
8. Spoonbills and
9. Painted Storks.

Sarus Cranes and Black Partridges ( managed to get a fleeting glance of one) were heard.

10. Steppe Eagle,
11. Kestrel,
12. Wooly-necked Stork,
13. Little-ringed Plover,
14. Chestnut-shouldered Petronia,
15. Spotted Owlet and
16. Indian Roller.
17. Tree Pipits

Perserverence group, Mirambika.

We sang a song which we composed. We titled it CONFUSION. I played the guitar, while Sagar & Ankit sang. Its the end of the year in school.

We presented a play. Its about Megha, Bansode & the Tenants, who live in Africa Apartments. The Landlord does not allow the tenants to do anything. But its changed by a cloud, she is called Megha. She makes every one happy

Some of our work was brought out through a newsletter.

Our empty classroom......... !!

Untill next year

Adios amigos

What is Aikido?

I have been going to learn Aikido for the last 6 months. Most of time i enjoy my Aikido practice, except when Sensei sometimes loses his temper, when we do some mistakes...... !!

What is Aikido

Aikido is a Japanese martial art synthesised by its Founder Morihei Ueshiba, during the 20th century. This martial art is the synthesis of traditional ju-jutsu (pinning & throwing techniques), swordsmanship (ken-jutsu), staff techniques (jo-jutsu) & other internal martial traditions to form what is currently called Aikido. Traditional Aikido utilizes throws, pinning techniques & evasions to defeat attackers. Aikido also includes classical sword & short staff techniques to help develop strength, coordination & fundamental skills necessary for Aikido.

The technique of Aikido are circular in nature & are not designed to stop attacks or to conflict with them. Instead aggressive motions are converted into circular movements that render attackers helpless. Aikido techniques allow the attacker’s movements to continue & complete themselves naturally, so that the attack is diverted& redirected harmlessly. The Aikidoist is trained not to cripple, but to apply various wrist & joint locks, pins & unbalancing throws to neutralize aggressors without serious injury to either the aggressor or the Aikidoist. The movements are like motions of a sphere, which rolls effortlessly along, joining mind & body.

Both men & women, regardless of age or size, can practice aikido. The techniques are based on movement rather than strength & there is no competition. Aikido is practical self-defense & helps to develop balance, co-ordination, concentration & conditioning.

Aikido & Health

Traditional Asian medicine often promotes a “hands on “ approach to healing. So while the locks & pins in Aikido are designed to immobilise an opponent, they also stimulate the joints & serve as a vigorous form of massage. Aikido is a healing art.

Like any system of physical training, Aikido is good for one’s health. Regular practice stretches the body, improves circulation & helps to co-ordinate one’s breathing with balanced & harmonious movement. Aikido practice & the meditative space of the Dojo can help to decrease & transform our day-to-day nervous stresses. Further more by stimulating both physical & mental faculties, Aikido encourages harmony in the whole being. It helps us manifest both our inner & outer beauty.

New Delhi Aikido Dojo
Established in November 2004, our dojo is promoting traditional Aikkikai style Aikido in India. Sensei Paritos Kar, 4th dan black belt, is the founder & chief instructor of this Aikido school. Based on his 15 years of training in Aikikai headquarters, Japan, he is presently one of the most experienced Aikido instructors in India.

The dojo in New Delhi is one of the most active Aikido Schools in India, with classes twice daily. As of December 2007, there are about 30 active students. Many of the current students have experience in other martial arts. A few of the current students are ranked 1st kyu (brown belt) or above. At the dojo all kinds of people men & women, Indian & international students, train together co-operatively.

Imagine

One of my favourite songs, by John Lennon. Infact i am learning the chords for it.

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

The Brown Fish Owl & The Leaf Bird in Masinagudi

During the new year break we had gone to Kerala to visit my grand parents. After spending a few days with them, the we went to Masinagudi, in the Nilgris. One of my teachers had once said to me i can be a good birder only if one learns to spot the Leaf Bird. I was really happy when i sighted one. I was happy to see one of the rare parrots in India called the Vernal Hanging Parrot.

We also saw this Blue face Malkoha


These Elepants werre at peace, but i was wary of them.

The Brown fishing Owl


The birds we sighted were

1. Common Iora

2. Oriental White Eye

3. Large Wood Shrike

4. Small Minivet

5. Scarlet Minivet

6. Barwinged Fly Catcher

7. Verditer Flycatcher

8. Golden Fronted Leafbird

9. malabar Parakeet

10. Vernal Hanging Parrot

11. Pale Bellied Sunbird

12. Yellow Wagtail

13. White Wagtail

14. Swifts

15. Martins

16. Swallows

17. Yellow Footed Green Pigeon

18. Yellow Billed Babbler

19. Jungle Babbler

20. White Throated Kingfisher

21. White Browed Fantail

22. Blacke Capped Oriole

23. Purple Sunbird

24. Black Drongo

25. White Bellied Drongo

26. Ashy Drongo

27. Red Vented Bulbul

28. Red Whiskered Bulbul

29. Jungle Crow

30. White Cheeked Barbet

31. Paradise Flycatcher

32. Spotted Owlets

33. Kestrel

34. Changeable Hawk Eagle

35. Crested Serpent Eagle

36. Brown Fish Owl

37. Roufous Bellied Eagle

38. Flameback Woodpecker

39. Black Kite

40. Brahminy Kite

41. Pond Heron

42. Peacocks

43. Cormorants

44. Common Mynah

45. Brahminy Mynah

46. Jungle Mynah

47. Grey Jungle Fowl

48. Spotted Dove

49. Koel

50. Cattle Egret

51. Green Bee eater

52. Magpie Robin

53. Coppersmith

54. Loten's Sunbird

55. Blue faced Malkoha

56. Racket Tail Drongo

57. Jungle Bush Quail

58. Indian Pitta

59. Brown Headed Barbet

60. White Browed Wagtail

61. Hill Mynah

62. Brown Shrike

63. Rufous Tree pie

64. Spot Billed Pelican

65. Painted Stork

66. Wooly Necked Stork

67. Malabar Whistling Thrush

68. Malabar Grey HornBill

69. Scaly Bellied Woodpecker

70. Chestnut tailed Starling

71. Great tit

72. Plain Flower Pecker

73. Long Tailed Shrike.

74. Brown Flycatcher

75. Orintal Honey Buzzard

76. Blue Cpped Rock Thrush

77. Large Cuckoo Shrike

78. Chestnut Headed Bee Eater

79. Green Bee Eater

80. Black Shouldered Kite

81. Grey HornBill

82. Pied KingFisher

83. River Tern

84. Coots

85. Shovelers

86. Indian Roller

White Tailed Eagle in Sultanpur !!!

We heard the Delhi bird group were going to Sultanpur, so we were happy to go again. We reached there at the given time, but unfortunately we could not see any one from the Delhi bird group, except for one member. We headed straight to the water hole. A couple of egrets seemed to have welcome dance or something going, it was a fascinating sight.


This one we assumed was a Juvenile Imperial Eagle. It was really naughty, it was having a great time circling around low, swooping down on to the ducks, but we did not see it catching any. To make sure of the ID, we posted it to Bird Forum...... and la behold.... we were told it was a White Tailed Eagle. We posted for ID again to Delhi Bird Net.... again it was confirmed that it is a White Tailed Eagle & it was told to us, it is a winter visitor & it has been sighted after 1970

In Search of the Imperial Eagle in Sultanpur

I had heard about an Imperial eagle at Sultanpur, so we decided to go & say hello. It was a very foggy day too. Indeed we did see the Imperial Eagle sunning itself from far away. A black Shouldered Kite & another Raptor which i could not identify were the highlights among many.

Looking a distance

I completed this drawing last week. It took me about 8 to 10 hrs to complete it 'though. I did it in approx 5 sittings. I named it Looking a distance.

my school sports day

Sports day is 2 days in the 1st day the morning i did march past then the marathon was there.

One round was about 700 - 800 metres to i took 4 rounds.

I had breakfast and then went to play the basketball finals for my team in the tournament. We lost 2-0. Then was obstacle race and tug of war. I then had lunch. After lunch i played Novelty games. Then we had the Teachers vs Parents Basket Ball match. Then we went home.

On the second day we had the football tournament 3rd and 4th position match the result was 3-3, so we had a penalty shootout they scored and made it 1-0 then i scored and made it 1-1 but no one else scored and it went to the final round then i scored and made it 2-1 and won.

Then i went for breakfast and then all the children did Trampoline, Ladders, Cycling, Gymnastics and Skipping and we got medals ( Btw every one got it) .

my freind Ankit. Making a save.

me & my friend Sagar

That's me, very happy & delighted at completing the Mini Marathon with my broken hand, 'though it took me 20 mts, last year i had done it in 16 mts

my friend Sagar, making a save.

Birding At Kaladhungi & the Chageable Hawk Eagle

List of Birds we saw at Kaladhungi, Uttarakhand
1. Plumbeous Water Redstart
2. White capped water Redstart
3. Himalayan Black Crested Bulbul
4. Himalayan White-cheeked Bulbul
5. Linneated Barbet
6. Brownheaded Barbet
7. Crimson breasted sunbird
8. Oriental white eye
9. Common blue kingfisher
10. Crested kingfisher
11. Greater Cormorant
12. Great tits
13. White wagtail
14. Black bittern
15. Pond heron
16. Paddy field pippit
17. Paddyfield warbler
18. Rufous lark
19. Plain prinia
20. Green shank

21. Greater grebe
22. Tufted duck
23. Black headed gull
24. Ruddy shellduck
25. River lapwing
26. Red wattled lapwing
27. Whitebreasted kingfisher
28. Greater Coucal
29. Pied kingfisher
30. Wooly necked stork
31. Osprey
32. Black ibis
33. Jungle crow
34. Common sandpiper
35. Cattle egret
36. Petronia
37. Crested serpent eagle
38. Grey hornbill
39. Fulvous woodpecker
40. Himalayan flameback woodpecker


41. Indian roller
42. White bellied drongo
43. Drongo
44. Rose ringed parakeets
45. Cormorants
46. Black kites
47. Stone chat
48. Jungle babbler
49. Greater racquet tailed drongo
50. Jungle fowl
51. Changeable Hawk eagle (juvenile)
52. Changeable Hawk eagle (adult)
53. Bush chat
54. Scarlet minivets
55. Velvetfronted nuthatch
56. Coots
57. Little egret
58. Steppe eagle
59. Grey headed woodpecker
60. Chestnut bellied nuthatch

61. Bonneli's Eagle
62. Red-billed magpie
63. Common green magpie
64. Chestnutbellied rockthrush
65. Russet sparrow
66. Yellowbreasted green finch
67. Striated prinia
68. Grey prinia
69. Grey bushchat
70. Common iora
71. Common wood shrike
72. Plover
73. Pied hornbill
74. White throated fantail
75. Northern shoveler
76. Blue whistling thrush
77. Grey capped warbler
78. Leaf warbler
79. White throat
80. Bluebearded bee-eater

81. Chestnut headed bee-eater

82. Green bee-eater

83. Lesser racquet tailed drongo

84. Canary fly catcher

85. Scaly breasted munia

86. Tickell's thrush

87. Rufous Tree Pie

We heard the Ruby Throat, White Rumped Shama and the Striated Laughing Thrush but did not manage to see them. We also saw a falcon flying by but could not identify it.

We saw two day old pug marks of the elephant and tiger and in the Corbett Park. Infact a tiger was hidden less than 20 feet away among the grass and scrub in a small nalla but the noise by over-excited visitors and jeep drivers intent of flushing it out through a elephant scared it away.

When we were walking in the forest we were startled by the sambar deer call- for a moment we thought it was the tusker warning us but our guide Surendra calmed us by saying it was just the deer startled by us!

Surendra also pointed out tiger dropping that were covered with white fungus and patches of tiger urine where the smell still lingered 2-3 days later. Lots of peacock droppings but no peacock in sight.

The one sight I longed for and went twice down to the River Boar (criss crossing over boulders and flowing water) but unfortunately i did not get to see the Brown Fish Owl and the Pallas' Fishing Eagle.

MY FAVOURITE FOOTBALL COUNTRY,CLUB,PLAYER AND WHY I LIKE THEM

MY FAVOURITE FOOTBALL COUNTRY

my favourite country Brazil i like them because they
they pass and finish really well and they don't play rough

MY FAVOURITE FOOTBALL CLUB

my favourite club is Liverpool because my favourite play maker
Steven Gerrard is there and i like the coach and the team.

MY FAVOURITE FOOTBALL PLAYER

my favourite player is KaKa from Brazil
and i just like him.

CRESTED LARK

This a picture of a crested lark at sultanpur which I took.

Mirambika

Some videos about my learning centre, can be seen here.

Its wonderful.

My school mirambika

I learn at Mirambika, it is a free progress school
it is in the campus of Sri AurobindoAshram and
next to Mother's International School.

Around Mirambika there are a lot of trees
and it is very nice. The way they teach is
very nice and very rarely boring.

The school website (which seriously needs to be updated) is http://www.mirambika.org/