Behind the Lens

a blog every Friday on a specific species of animal or bird and stories of photos

Search for a specific species, genre or even a location or use the directory for a complete list of species I have photographed and written about till date.

Bansilalpet Stepwell

The Bansilalpet Stepwell (Naganah Kunta) is a six-level baoli or stepwell in close proximity to the centuries old Hussain Sagar Lake. Much of its history has disappeared with the passage of time but its architectural features stylistically date it to over 300 years old. The Pharaoh & Co. mentions the well as Naganah Kunta in their 1954 map of Secunderabad as part of a garden of tamarind and palmyra trees during the British period. Later, in the 1930’s, a Britisher - T.H. Keyes - developed the area and the project was funded by local businessman Seth Bansilal, after whom the stepwell came to be known.

This is the first chapter in finding the Stepwells of the Deccan series in collaboration with the Rainwater Project.

#wildartworks, #canon, #1DxMkII, #7DMark2, #EF1635f4LIS, #EF2470f4LIS, #landscape, #landscapes, #Cityscapes, #LongExposure, #LongExposures, #Syrp, #SyrpGeniMini2,#PromediagearTR424L, #LightandShadow, #NightScapes, #BreakthroughPhotography, #sunset, #holygrailtimelapse, #timelapse, #timelapseplusview, #bulbramping, #Hyderabad, #CityLights, #Bansilalpet, #BansilalpetStepwell, #Stepwell, #17thCentury, #Renovated, #SethBansilal, #Secunderabad, #HistoricalMonument, #Landmark, #HistoricalLandmark, #17thcenturystepwell, #therainwaterproject, #bhoigudalandmark, #hyderabadhistory, #groudnwaterconservation, #rainwaterconservation, #baoli, #nagannakunta, #subterraneanheritagestructure, #hyderabadsubterraneanheritagestructure, #sustainability, #BreakthroughPhotographyX4ND, #PolarProPeterMckinnonVND, #MomentCinebloom, #momentfilters, #tiffenfilter, #tiffenglimmerglass, #tiffen, #tiffenblacksatin, #telanganahistory,

Read More
Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

Laughingthrushes

Laughingthrushes are also a family of Old World passerine birds diverse in size and coloration. These are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The entire family used to be included in the Timaliidae. I have also included some Sibias from Heterophasia as they are a genus of the same family.

#wildartworks, #laughingthrushes, #sibia, #birdinginthewild, #birdphotography, #thrush

Read More
Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee

Konark

On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, bathed in the rays of the rising sun, is the monumental temple of Konark, a representation of the sun god Surya's chariot, led by a team of seven horses with 24 intricately designed wheels adorned in symbolic designs, one of the finest examples of Brahmin architecture and belief.

#Konark, #Architecture, #IncredibleIndia, #WildArtWorks #suntemple #odisha #orrisa #ancientarchitecture #hinduarchitecture, #kalingaarchitecture

Read More
Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

A murder of Crows

Crows are members of the Corvidae family, which also includes ravens, magpies, and blue jays. Loud, rambunctious, and very intelligent, crows are most often associated with a long history of fear and loathing. They are considered pests by farmers trying to protect their crops and seedlings. Many people fear them simply because of their black feathers, which are often associating them with death. But research has demonstrated that crows are actually very social and caring creatures, and also among the smartest animals on the planet. #wildartworks, #crows, #corvidae

Read More
Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee

Ibrahim Rauza

The beautiful Ibrahim Rouza is among the most elegant and finely proportioned Islamic monuments in India. Its 24m-high minarets are said to have inspired those of the Taj Mahal, and its tale is similarly poignant: built by emperor Ibrahim Adil Shah II (r 1580–1627) as a future mausoleum for his queen, Taj Sultana. Ironically, he died before her and was thus the first person to be laid to rest here. Also interred are the emperor's queen, children and mother.

Read More
Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee Architecture Siddhartha Mukherjee

Dholavira

A four and a half hour drive from Bhuj, deep in the arid desolation of Kutch, lies an island in the salt pans. Here the ruins of a 5000 year old mega city from the times of the Indus Valley Civilization, known locally as Kotada timba, were discovered. Located on the Khadir bet island in the Great Rann of Kutch - Dholavira - is one of the five largest Harappan sites, the grandest city of its time and the most prominent site in India.

Read More