Team visit to Battersea Childrens Zoo

It was a cold rainy Saturday morning...but the kids seem very happy!



We were wondering and were not very sure if we should go and see the childrens zoo, considering all of us considered ourselves adults! After doing lot of deliberations, we decided to go ahead. The sight welcoming us was wonderful with some really good bears on display.

And some black sheeps too....

These sheeps looked really concerned and were pondering over serious issues like climate change and stuff.


Came across a very happy looking monkey cum bear that appeared to be excited about a red tractor!


Suddenly an angry pork charged at me shouting choicest of abuses...it appears this pork found out that I have developed a fondness for roast pork belly and I have it almost everyday for lunch. It was a now or never matter for this pork to save it's kind from me!


Then we met this strange looking pony...appeared to be a cross between a donkey and unicorn! But had beautiful eyes.

Shveta checking out the age of the animal...
And a very old rabbit...or so it seems. It was not very keen on meeting people and was enjoying a nice warm cuddle in the cold.


The Lindt bunny was also on display!


Had never thought in my wildest of dreams that I'll go and see a donkey at a zoo...these animals (including cows, pigs, sheeps etc.) are a part of general road traffic in India. I remember last December when FMB was meeting at GFC, the admin team took great pains to ensure no pigs and cows are found visiting the primises...but here you'd need to go to a zoo to get a glimpse of these endangered species! Wonder of wonders...should I envy the donkey!


And a beautiful ostrich with shining eyes (could give volunteers on HSBC marketing posters a competition).



Some meerkats from comparethemeerkat.com (pls excuse the funny colors...these meerkats were standing in a red 'limelite' and thanks to my camera for the yellow on red)


Some serious strategising and contemplation happening!!

And I missed the shot of a running 'big foot'...just when I thought I had the million dollar pic, the creature simply ran away...but you can see the foot prints...


Check out the lady's expression...and the kids too...seems like 'big foot' doesn't come here too often...might be one of those rarest of rare visits...


And this monkey couldn't stop himself from similing all the while...giving a new meaning to 'say cheese'...



It was time to go and all these bears were very happy to see us leave...waved us good bye and hoped we never come back!


And we called it a day at the pub!

Photos of Squirrels in the Serpentine

There were grey squirrels running around the entire park, they just look so cute. Here’s the full slideshow with higher resolutions.

Photos of Serpentine Lake Birds

I am not an ornithologist by any stretch of imagination. I usually look at birds from the perspective of how they will look on my plate or how should I cook them. But still, saw several different types of birds at the Serpentine. Here’s the full slide show with bigger resolutions. Some of the expressions were truly humanlike.

Those beady eyes were eyeing me inquiringly like. Well? are you excited to see me or is that bread in your pocket? Dig it out, dude.

Such a shady character, just look at that sly expression.

Busy busy busy, places to go, seeds to peck

Get a move on!

They look so regal and majestic, no?

No respect from these damn seagulls for the Royal Parks Constabulary!

Nor do the Horse Guards get any respect from these feathered rats.



Peck Peck Peck, they seem to be doing synchronised pecking.

Flock of Jonathan Livingstone Seagull?

Flying birds at the Serpentine. I dont think it requires any comments. Here’s the full slideshow in larger resolution.

Photo Essay: The surroundings of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

There’s this fascinating touristy event happening in London called as the Changing of the Guard. The Queen’s house is the Buckingham Palace and she needs a fair few soldiers to guard her. But a soldier cannot live by guarding alone, so you need to rotate them regularly. Hence Changing of the Guard. You can click on the link to see good photographs and a bit of a background to this fascinating exercise, but i wanted to see people taking in this event. So I took some photos and down to the Serpentine. Mainly trying to figure out what the hell does “making a difference” mean in terms of a photography competition which the firm is running. Here’s the full slideshow.