This is the “largest bird cage in the country” under construction at the Lake View Point Park. When it was opened, it was a neat and clean place for people to go and enjoy the serenity and the calm of the water currents. Now going there on a Sunday is like paying a visit to Murree on a national holiday = HORRENDOUS.

Absolute chaos. Someone like me can’t help but wonder, if this IS supposed to be an attraction, what will become of the birds in this cage? The same fate that the Zoo animals meet or will the CDA maintain something for once?

Today many among us witnessed the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century in Pakistan along with other countries of the world. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department the eclipse was supposed to start at 5:58 a.m. and end at 11:12 am. Earlier the MET department had also declared that a total solar eclipse would be visible from India, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Japanese Islands and South Pacific Ocean [Source: The News http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=83400].

We did miss the “total” eclipse by ‘a country’ but whatever we got was worth having. The sun shadowed by the moon looked absolutely magnificent. It resembled a large cookie out of which somebody had neatly taken a large bite. For those of you who missed out on this event, here is a snap so that they may share in the experience as well. :-)

Solar Eclipse/Sooraj Grehan

I hope all among us who witnessed this cosmic phenomenon protected their eyes as well and saw the eclipse through thick protective screens. I am not sure if it was protection enough but i used an x-ray to view the glorious sun. It was a sight worth seeing. :-)

Here’s a couple of pictures I took early morn:

As you can see in the first picture, there’s a little mosquito sitting on the white flower. I asked him how his night had been, and he told me that it was wonderful. He was resting after a good night bloodsucking and had nearly digested all that he had consumed, and that’s quite obvious since he doesn’t appear to be distended. He told me that he particularly enjoyed the Grade 20, 21, and 22 blood. I’m not quite sure what he meant by that… maybe someone can elaborate?

I wish I could have recorded the sounds of the birds early morning. It was certainly a pleasure to walk around the block under the large shady trees listening to the sounds of the morning birds and watching the flowers blooming at the sides of the roads. Nothing like getting up in the morning for a nice healthy walk, especially when you’re in Islamabad!

CDA has launched a tree plantation campaign in the capital. To advertise this and to motivate others to do the same, banners have been placed on various locations throughout the city. These locations include street light poles on green belts, trees and Faizabad overhead bridge (I may have missed mentioning a couple of spots) too. I think it is a nice initiative which should be taken off and on. Since many trees have already been ‘murdered’ in the city, in the name of progress and development, we are in dire need of replacements. I hope CDA succeeds in its efforts and also hope that many people join in this ‘crusade’.

PS: Let’s plant more trees but also let’s treat the existing ones nicely.

While it may still be winter, but spring is in the air. Look at these pretty flowers and tell me if you don’t start thinking the same in an instance. :-)

Pretty Flowers

I hope the winter season stays a bit longer but can’t wait to see spring time either.

Rawal Lake, just after a storm

One thing I love about this city is that the best spots are least crowded in good weather. By good weather, I mean bad weather, which is potentially good for photography. The hills and the lake (especially the dam section with the outrageous 15Rs entry) provide opportunity for breathtaking photography on a partially rainy day. All you have to do is predict when the skies may open up, and be at the right spot in time.

Autumn Time, originally uploaded by Suh@il.

Full of colors…!

Last night a friend and me hiked to Margalla ( don’t ask why ) only to know, ‘Public is not allowed after 11pm’ at Damne Koh. For the first time I was hearing it in months that its not for security reasons. But due to sighting of a pair of Cheetah , as excited as we were on the fact its not a security issue. At the same time scared as much cause it was a pair of cheetah , the lone killer/hunter of the night. 

“The cheetah’s have been sighted thrice in the last two nights, they havn’t done any damage yet. But precautions have been taken”, said the police officer. “Last year a pair was caught which used to eat animals from the zoo”, the other added.

Cutting to the chase, if your feeling all pumped up and adventures . Be all that in day light, in groups or ofcourse there is always the option of taking your 250 pound friend as bate.

Like dinosaurs, when it comes to Marine life … the only thing that sounds ferociously appealing to me is SHARK. And I definitely never thought that I’ll buy 1 kg of shark for Rs. 195 ;-)

Well not so fast we can now. Metro (yup Metro fever’s now down yet :~)) is letting you do that. last weekend when I went there the fish standing lying tall on the ice was definitely not Shark. When I passed the Marine corner today, wooohooo… Shark … a big big  shark was so aesthetically displayed. I  almost jumped at the sight and a pic of him (or her :D) with the kids was inevitable…. !

So here’s it for ya ….

Meet Mr. Shark and His Kids 

I hope selling Sharks is not violating any rules … shark’s a shark … I dont think its a FARM FISH … any idea if its selling is legally just?