White Wagtail in Faridabad

I saw these birds last year in open park lands, but did not have my camera with me. So I was quite happy to come across this remarkable bird in the grounds of an institution right in the middle of Faridabad city. Fortunately, I had my camera with me since I wanted to take some pictures related to my work and even though the sky was overcast, could get some reasonably satisfactory pictures

White wagtail in Faridabad, Haryana 

The white wagtail is also a winter visitor in these parts and likes to catch insects and all in open grounds. It is quite fleet in foot and I really had a hard time catching up with it

That extra long tail must help it to rise high above and ride with the winds, traversing thousands of miles!

Tonight (2)

Its an unknown wind
that blows tonight

Unheard song
that singes me

Unseen stars
that tear me apart

Into a thousand pieces;
Blown away

by the unknown wind
that moans tonight

Black Redstart at Faridabad

This weekend I found this little bird at the corner of the patch of green, admiring the Aloe plants. Actually, I noticed it first by the flash of orange that shot over my head and landed there. Could get a few pictures of what I think, should be the black redstart

And then it hopped on to the lemon tree, which has started to blossom. The black redstart is a winter visitor in these parts and one can't but marvel at the enormous distances these puny wings fly ...

Black Redstart in Faridabad, Haryana

Foraging in the grounds, I think I got the female redstart  as well. There is a wall at the back and also at the back of the lemon tree, so maybe they were looking for a place for nesting. Gaps and crevices in the walls are also used by robins for nesting and I hope they get a suitable vacant lot, out of reach of the several cats that prowl the area

Spring

Roses look best where they bloom, and are allowed to do so. This one has really surprised me for it has become quite big, more than six inches in diameter. The weight of the flower has made the branch droop and I had to hold it upright in one hand with the camera in the other. This bush has not grown any other buds and may not, I think, until this particular rose completes its short but sweet and memorable life cycle. What a wonderful flower!

 
Spring is in the air
the earth and the sky

Perhaps too soon;
for my bones

Brittle bones,
wrapped in layers

Wishing for the sea
the rolling sands

Still dreaming
yearning