Sky

Call me a sky enthusiast, sky lover or sky watcher. I would be guilty as charged. It gets me excited and lifts up my spirits: looking above at all the colors, textures and changes. Why do I love this mundane, daily sky so much that I had to sit down and write a post around it? Because it makes me think so small in the scheme of larger things. I can feel all my problems getting melted away when I look at the sky.

After Corona Outbreak and the lockdown the sky has been magically transformed into a canvas where clouds, sun, moon and stars they all paint a painting each and every day. Following are some pictures I have taken over a period of 3-4 months while being locked down inside Shiv Nadar University Campus.

Evening Sky 

I never had a chance to roam around inside the campus. Or enjoy the greenery and the scenery of this beautiful campus. The lockdown was a blessing in disguise for me where I explored every inch of this land. Saw every sunset from all different angles while riding my bicycle or taking a lone walk.

The Hostel Lawns

This campus also has a small lake where all kinds of lives they thrive. Watching the sunrises here and later in the evening going to other spot to watch the sunset, that has been a ritual these past few months.

The Famous SNU Lake

Academic Blocks

My companion in these crazy times that has helped me immensely in keeping my sanity intact and my spirits soaring. The reason why I venture out is my cycle if it would have not been there I would have missed out so many sunsets and sunrises. I am every bit thankful and indebted to this beauty.

My Precious

I will not bore you down with my incessant commentary. A picture speaks thousand words. I will let you enjoy these pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed clicking them.

An Old Tree

From My Hostel Room Window

Looks Like An Oil Painting

Over The Horizon

The Dining Hall

The Ride

Love Birds

The Brilliance Of Nature

Another Brilliant Sunset Captured

Perspective

The Hostels of SNU

The Reflection

Good Night

Night Sky

   The End!

Rear-view Mirror

 "My Third-Eye - Rear-View Mirror"

I have a small rear-view mirror mounted on my bi-cycle handle as I am very apprehensive when it comes to taking a turn or crossing a road while riding my bike. I bought the this piece of accessory keeping in mind its only utility, i.e. to look at the rear traffic while riding and crossing roads. But that is not the only purpose this piece of item has served for me. In my riding experience with it for last 1 year; since the time I bought it; has it not only served the purpose of an extra eye but has taken over this role of a third eye.

"The End Of Business Hours"

This eye has shown me countless number of sunsets setting at my back, numerous contours of sky, captured plethora of birds flying in its view and caught many trees as if they were all trying to get featured on this tiny reflective surface. You must be thinking why am I writing an entire post on such a trifling piece of item which has almost no value in the cycling sport. The answer to that question is: for me cycling is not just a sport but an aesthetic experience. It is like a double-edged sword. It helps me in being close to nature and at the same time helps me in keeping fit. And let me tell you, this one piece of attachment in the form of rear-view mirror has transformed this experience. From time to time looking at this rear-view mirror and the contents of nature coming in and going out has become a cardinal part of my everyday cycling routine.

"Here I am On The Road Again..." 

"A Perfect Combination: That Glorious Sun Amongst The Clouds"

Sometimes just by looking at these images on my rear-view mirror, I simply stop, absorb the sky, the clouds, the birds, sun, moon, and the nature, take a picture; if I feel like it; and move on. I will share some of the pictures I took because I was being stopped and told to do so by this magic mirror. Also on the surface of this reflector, every image changes every second, constantly reminding me of the value of impermanence. When I get cruising because of a tail-wind or downhill slope, it serves as a reminder for me that: this too shall pass and advises not to get carried away because the opposite situation is also in store and will come. Sometimes, when I am struggling with pain, storms, headwinds, or uphill climbs, this mirror with its changing imagery serves as a constant reminder that this too will change and helps me to get through those tough phases.   

"Cloudy: Sometimes Not So Clear and A Loner Bird"

Soar - A Short Poem

When I see you; my bird; starting to spread those wings,
Starting to take a leap, carving those stepping stones on the flowing winds,
I take a pause, stop and admire your beauty in your flight,
I remember it was you who once told me that I am afraid of heights,
As you go higher up on those stairs made on those winds, making that magnificent climb,
My mouth half open, eyes in the sky, with one hand shunning the sunlight and one eye watching your 'soar' so divine,
I see you; my bird; almost touching those clouds, kissing that sun,
If such is the grace and beauty that lies in your soar, I would never wish or pray for your return.
-BeeLikeMakkhi