Tuesday 13 April 2021

K is for Kumarakom in Kerala #AtoZChallenge

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the third week of the #Blogging from A to Z  April Challenge 2021. My theme this year is based on the Japanese concept of Ichigo Ichie which means--"What we are experiencing right now will never happen again. And therefore, we must value each moment like a beautiful treasure."

I'll be exploring some of the 'Enemies of Ichigo Ichie' this week, starting with 'distraction' today.

Thank you.

Arti

"Distractions: We can experience the present fully only if we aren't trying to do several things at once. A man strolling through the forest and updating social media on his phone is not living in the moment. In fact, he's not even in the forest."

Quote borrowed from The Book of Ichigo Ichie

Photographing birds is the physical representation of the concept of Ichigo Ichie in my view.

As a photography enthusiast, I'm drawn to capturing moments that don't last long, here now, gone forever. 

Making pictures of birds requires zen-like focus and patience and a mega powerful lens. I'm a patient person, almost comatose when it comes to waiting for the light to be just right for my clicks (ask my family, they'll tell you) and I can focus pretty well too. But, lugging a heavy camera goes against my travel ethics. The weight of the camera shouldn't get in the way of my vagabond ways. 

Of course, these days, the phone provides the perfect balance between connectivity, ease and accuracy. But birds, in my world at least, can sense when a lens is following them and as soon as that happens, they do what comes naturally to them. They fly off.

I'm very pleased to share the following photos I managed to click in Kumarakom, Kerala, in March 2020. This was our last holiday before Covid-19. Maybe, the birds sensed it. Maybe, that's why they didn't fly off as soon as they sensed me.

From Siberian storks to egrets and cormorants, I managed to click to my heart's content. I had a hard time picking only a few photos to share today. Of course, the gorgeous Kingfisher is featured in many I've picked on account of the name -- 'K' and more importantly, because I love his  blue/turquoise colouring.

Enjoy...








This is my favourite: the reflection caught in mid flight! I'm impressed with myself:) Ha! Ha!
Obviously, we can't be expected to lug a camera or go click, click to capture every magical moment that seizes us but if we're distracted then the magic will most certainly fly away. 

Sitting under the neem tree
sipping tea
Frangipani blooms
bulbuls frolic in mulberry
click. click. click.
magic captured in every breath
ordinary, yes.
very ordinary 
but rare.
 *****
How do you do you on holidays? Do you click or just be? 
Are there any 'distractions' you wish you'd get rid of? 
You know I'd love to hear, if you'd like to share.

Last week, Deborah mentioned some of the stories/beliefs associated with the term 'blue birds of happiness'. You can check them out here: Deborah's blog 

And  I wrote K is for Krishna in 2016 who is always depicted in blue in popular Hindu artforms.

This year, I'm participating in #BlogchatterA2Z  powered by theblogchatter.com 

38 comments:

  1. Your clicks are as beautiful as your words...

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    1. Thank you sweet Arti. Hugs to you my blogger friend. xx

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  2. Such lovely pictures of birds. We get to see that blue kingfisher here sometimes. It's a treat to watch it fly. I use my phone to take pics, and boy I do take a whole lot of pictures. :D

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    1. Too many pictures can yield some stunning shots--no harm done:) It's like writing practice, right?

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  3. I sure wish we could click every magical moment. WOW the blue is beautiful and what a splendid shot in flight. How lovely. I hope you have a great day and can't wait to see more "clicks" and poetry. Your words go with your clicks so well.
    Cheers

    Crackerberries

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    1. Thank you so much for being here and for your kind comment.

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  4. Hari Om
    Oh, I think you know I am an inveterate 'shooter' as photography is an equal passion to writing in my world. Not that I have had much opportunity of late. These are stunning... I say STUNNING shots, Arti! YAM xx

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    1. Thank you Yamini.
      I'm discovering your photography genius via Insta and I'm very, very impressed too:)

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  5. Lovely scenery and photos. I haven't been to Kumarakom.

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    1. Thanks Pradeep.
      If you ever visit, don't miss visiting their quaint little museum housed in a traditional building.

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  6. These clicks are outstanding! Brilliant photography. Art resides in you Arti. Your photography, poetry and stories are connected to each other like a family and you are the blood that runs in all of them. You know I am a HUGE fan of you and your eye for such perfection.
    I pack my camera first when we get ready for our long vacations. These days my Canon SLR is more neglected especially for a short getaways as the handy mobile phones have become so advanced and easy. I feel guilty to leave my SLR home as though I have left my baby unattended.

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    1. I know what you mean Vidya.
      And your photos are stunning too. We'll end up sounding like a mutual admiration society and there's nothing wrong with that...as long as we're cherishing these clicks together:)

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  7. Wow, you are an artist! Such beautiful photos, and you are right, this little turquoise guy is gorgeous. I often forget to take photos during my travels or holidays, and then I regret. But I guess I just live the moment... Can't have the moment AND the souvenir ;)
    Quilting Patchwork & Appliqué

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    1. Cheers Frederique. We all have our own ways to be in the moment, and that's a good thing.

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  8. What lovely photos Arati! I constantly jostle between enjoying the moment and taking photos for future reference. Somedays I just soak the experience and some days I take a picture or two.

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    1. I'm like you. I let the mood decide if the camera comes out or not. But in both situations, I'm fully invested in the moment--I like that about me;)

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  9. Love the kingfisher(?) flying just above the water in your last pic! I too love to click during my travels but these days I have realised that I just don't go click click click like I used to...but wait for the moment/scenery to seize me (draw me to capture it!) more than anything :)

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    1. We evolve, don't we Mini?

      I click and stay away from clicking as the mood strikes me:)
      Good to see you here. xx

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    2. I have been quietly coming here almost everyday and enjoying your writing, reveling in your pictures and breathing in the emotions behind them...constantly reminded of incorporating Ichigo Ichie in my life! <3

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  10. What stunning photographs. I particularly like your favourite, the reflection. A delightful poem too.

    Here's my K!

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    1. Glad you liked the post Keith. Cheers.

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  11. Stunning photography, and stunning colours of those birds. Wonderful.
    https://iainkellywriting.com/2021/04/13/the-state-trilogy-a-z-guide-k/

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  12. Fabulous photos Arti, and I find that turquoise bird is astonishing. I love your comment about lens-sensitive avians - I'm totally claiming that's why I can never quite get the photo I intended. Your poem makes me smile. I'm imagining you in your garden, in the beauty of a perfectly ordinary moment.
    P.S. Thanks for the mention. May you always be visited by bluebirds of happiness.

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    1. Thank you for your beautiful posts Deborah. And for your lovely wishes. xx

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  13. Lovely clicks Arti. The blue is resplendent. I don't click. The husband ONLY clicks.im more into be in the moment, he is more into preserve the memories. Love the quote there.

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    1. Looks like you two have worked out the perfect formula to enjoy holidays between the two of you.

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  14. It is really difficult to capture birds and you've done it beautifully. When we went to Costa Rica I tried to capture all the birds that we saw but only got a few good shots. You are so right that you have to be patient and wait for the right moment.

    The picture with the birds reflection in the water is amazing.

    Weekends In Maine

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  15. Gorgeous pictures, Thank you for sharing. Your patience definitely paid off.
    We are so lucky we get to take electronic pictures these days! Remember how expensive film rolls were, and how long you had to wait till you actually saw your photographs?

    https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-z-2021-kill-two-birds-with-one-stone.html

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    1. Tamara, even though those rolls were expensive, the prints got put into albums which we can browse through like a book of memories. I miss that about digitalisation.

      Thank you for visiting:)

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  16. Beautiful pictures. Your writing provides a lot of serenity.

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  17. As much as I would like to use my DSLR, honestly the convenience of phone has totally replaced their need. I kind of have started like phone pictures better. However, I still want to learn those dark snd moody food pictures with their different settings. Your pictures are always competition worthy. Your favourite is mine too. I hope to visit all the places you have been Arti....such precious memories of places you have and I am so happy to visit them through your words and lens.

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  18. Goodness Arti... You are a treasure house of talent. What lovely snaps. I had to pause at each one of them and marvel at your captures. How nicely you capture the moments of beauty in your writings, in your poetry and in your photography... I am in awe... You are truly an inspiration 💕

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    1. I'm soooooo happy you paused at each click Ira.
      There! My job's done:)
      Thank you for the booster dose of compliments (she types while blushing).

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