Ek Chidiya. Anek Chidiyan.

Urban cliffs have new royalty 👑✨
This peregrine falcon has made the city its hunting ground, perched high on building corners as if they were ancient cliffs. In my close encounter, I noticed something fascinating: a small white fluff giving a crested look, and the aerodynamic design of its nostrils—nature’s engineering at its finest.

Those bony structures inside the nose aren’t just for show—they act like built-in “air brakes,” slowing down the rush of air when the falcon dives at speeds over 300 km/h. Imagine hitting freeway speeds in a vertical plunge and still breathing with ease! That’s the genius of evolution.

From skyscrapers to ledges, peregrines remind us that wildness adapts, thrives, and surprises us in the most unexpected corners of our cities.

"In the heart of Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, amidst winding paths and city whispers, the Egyptian Goose stood regal by the water. Native to Africa yet thriving in Europe, it carries with it a story of journeys across continents. One chidiya, many stories…"

Note: Vondelpark is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved green spaces, a true urban oasis for birding. Alongside Egyptian Geese, I spotted at least 20 different species of birds in freezing cold hour that I could spend there.

✨ Did you know?

* Egyptian Geese are native to Africa, but now flourish in parks and wetlands across Europe.
* They are strikingly marked with chestnut patches around the eyes and wings, making them unmistakable.
* Pairs often mate for life, fiercely defending their territory together.
* Goslings are independent from birth, able to forage on their own almost immediately.
* Despite their elegance, they can be surprisingly fast flyers—up to 80 km/h.

The Pink Canopy Diaries - Part 1

Petals, Plumage, and the Pulse of a Season! When Cherry's blossom, and the visitors were a surprising lot!

The Prunus cerasoides blossoms came and went in just a week—like a festival of petals outside my balcony. But oh, what a week it was!
🌸✨ A Week of Pink Magic ✨🌸

Every day, new visitors arrived and posed against the pink canopy:
🪶 Shikra, regal and watchful and most surprising, towards the end of the week
🎵 Koel, haunting mornings, misty wet morning!
🧵 Tailorbird, stitching songs
☀️ Purple sunbird & purple‑rumped sunbird, sipping light
🟡 Common & jungle mynas, bold and busy
🎶 Red‑vented & red‑whiskered bulbuls, full of chatter
👁️ White‑eye, curious spark


🌾 Blyth’s reed warbler, quiet migrant
🔨 Pale‑billed flowerpecker, tapping nectar trails
💚 Rose‑ringed parakeet, leafy laughter


🌳 White‑cheeked barbet, drumming calls
🎨 Asian tit, monochrome charm

For seven days, the balcony became a theatre—petals falling, feathers flashing, and me watching with a heart full of joy. The blossoms may have faded, but the memories are still in bloom.