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| Nature of Kaas Platue
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| Birds, landscape and amazing flower beds |
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At the distance of about 100 kms from Pune, lies a historic town of Satara on Pune-Bangalore Highway.
After entering and crossing Satara, one comes across winding road up hill which takes you to the Kaas platue.
Kaas platue is located about 24 km from Satara town.
This area of western ghats is distinct as compared to the northern and sourthern ghats. The region has many flat table top
mountains, with lateritic platues on top. From the distance these mountains look so flat at the top, that they look artificially flattened.
Lateritic platue of Kaas is one of such many platues in the region.
The volcanic rock at the top has been eroded over the years due to heavy rains.
The soft portions of the rock are eroded leaving behind the porous rock with hard elements. The thin layer of sandy soil over such rock does not have much nutritions.
Due to this reason, at Kaas, the soil has many unique wildflower plants blooming in Monsoon, some of them being insectivorous plants.
Though many flowers are very tiny, this platue offers great opertunity for those who are intersted in Nature, Landscape photography, flowers and botany.
The area is very scenic with beautiful views, Koyna backwaters on the other side of the Kaas hill. The winding ghat road offers pleasure while driving,
with occasional crested Buntings and crested larks welcoming you, to the hill.
The best duration for visit to this place is in September. However the Nature and fury of Monsoon in the area is sometimes very severe.
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Crested Bunting male, Melophus Lathami युवराज नर
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 200, f 8, 1/500 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Crested Bunting male, Melophus Lathami, युवराज नर
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 10, 1/500 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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After crossing the city, on the winding road up hill, the crested buntings are seen. As per the reference books, Satara is prominently the sourthern most Indian place where these birds are seen. Birds visit the region in Monsoon season for breeding. Both male and female are busy managing their young ones.
Some of the young birds were already on their own.
There is hardly 200 meter distance between the town and the delicate rocky hill habitat of these breeding birds. Satara town unlike Pune, seems to have restricted itself from encroaching the nature and habitat on the hills.
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Crested Bunting female, Melophus Lathami, युवराणी
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/800 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Crested Bunting female catching the worms in the grass.,Melophus Lathami, युवराणी
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 9, 1/400 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Prinia sylvatica, Jungle Prinia, रान वटवट्या |
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/800 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Juv Crested Bunting, Melophus Lathami, छोटा युवराज
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 10, 1/320 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Prinia sylvatica, Jungle Prinia, रान वटवट्या |
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/4000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis,
पारवा
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/1250 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Juv Crested Bunting, Melophus Lathami, छोटा युवराज
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/4000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Crested Bunting female in the grass on the rocky slopes, Melophus Lathami
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/1600 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pied bushchat male, Sexicola Caprata, गप्पीदास
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/2500 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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After climbing the hill, one comes across a thin strip of flat platue about 15 kms long, 200 meter wide, with the spectacular views on the either sides. The land is green dotted with occasional tree. One can see windmills, Sajjangad on the west with Dhom dam on the east. The flowers of Smithia sensitiva, smithia hirsuta, Commelina forsskalaei, Senecio bombayensis welcome the visitors here with european roller or occasional serpent eagle giving the glance.
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The panaromic view, enroute Kaas platue
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 18-55 mm lens,iso 400, f 8, 1/2000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, multiple images, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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View from platue, near Kaas
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 18-55 mm lens, iso 400, f 10, 1/4000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Peteshwar hill (with small lateritic platue on top), enroute Kaas
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 18-55 mm lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/1600 sec, -1 1/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Peteshwar hill (with small lateritic platue on top), enroute Kaas
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 18-55 mm lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/1600 sec, -1 1/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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View of Green fields from Kaas platue
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5, 1/3200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Juv Indian Macaque
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 5.6, 1/500 sec, -2/3 EC, enroute Kaas, Satara, Maharashtra |
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The platue is full of Malabar crested larks. The green fields are dotted with their nests.
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Malabar Crested Lark, Galerida malabarica, तुरेबाज चंडोल
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 5.6, 1/4000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Malabar Crested Lark, Galerida malabarica, तुरेबाज चंडोल
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 7.1, 1/1000 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Malabar Crested Lark, Galerida malabarica, तुरेबाज चंडोल
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 9, 1/640 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Vigna vexillata, हळुंदा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 11, 1/200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Vigna vexillata, हळुंदा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 14, 1/200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Commelina forskalaei, कानपेट
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 22, 1/30 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Celosia argentia, कुर्डू
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 200, f 9, 1/640 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Vigna vexillata,हळुंदा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 18, 1/200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Smithia Hirsuta, कवला
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 11, 1/320 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue,Satara, Maharashtra |
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Suddenly the monitor lizard gave the surprise. The Lizard was basking in the sun on the roadside, rockwall.
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Varanus bengalensis, Indian Monitor Lizard, घोरपड
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens, iso 400, f 5, 1/3200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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After passing through a small forest, one lands up on the platue of Kaas, which must be roughly 3-4 kms in length and 500 meters wide. In September one can see spectacular beds of Utricularia, Impatiens dotted accompanied with some rare plant species. There is always a wind gust on the highland with occasional rains and clouds. One has to be lucky to get clear weather on the platue.
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Impatiens Lawii flower bed, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/125 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens opositifolia, लाल तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 14, 1/100 sec, -1 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens opositifolia, लाल तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/160 sec, -1 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Utricularia Pupurascens, सीतेची आसवे
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Aponogeton satarensis, वायतुरा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens, iso 400, f 7.1, 1/3200 sec, -2 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Begonia Crenata, काप्रु
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/60 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pinda Concanensis, पंद
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/60 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas near Satara, Maharashtra |
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Nymphoides indicum, कुमुद
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/400 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Eriocaulon tuberiferum, पाणगेंद
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/800 sec, -2 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Habenaria rariflora, चिरे हबेअमरी
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -1 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Habenaria rariflora, चिरे हबेअमरी
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The picture of Habenaria rariflora shows on its lip a pair pollinias which is dislodged from the column behind. These are concealed in the column and seperated from the stigmas (2 fused together) by a small projecting flap known as rostellum which gets separated as the pollinator scrambles for the nectar. Two pollen sacks (masses)can be seen at the ends of (caudicles) branches of the pollinia. A white substance at the center is a sticky part that helps the pollinias to be attached on the body of the pollinator and taken to another flower for cross pollination. (Special thanks to Mr. Shrikant Ingalhalikar for the information) |
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 14, 1/250 sec, -1 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Upper Kaas Lake
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/800 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Utricularia Pupurascens, सीतेची आसवे
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 18, 1/25 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue, mutiple, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Indian sunbeam Curetis thetis
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/1600 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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indian sunbeam Curetis thetis
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 10, 1/1600 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Murudannia Lanuginosa, अबोलिमा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/125 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Murudannia simplex,निलिमा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 16, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Murudannia Lanuginosa, अबोलिमा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/160 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Murudannia simplex, निलिमा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 14, 1/500 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Utricularia Pupurascens, सीतेची आसवे
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/200 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Utricularia Pupurascens, सीतेची आसवे
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/400 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Utricularia - variation (missing purple color) सीतेची आसवे
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/400 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Eriocaulon tuberiferum, पाणगेंद
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/320 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Eriocaulon tuberiferum, पाणगेंद
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 18, 1/160 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pleocaulus ritchiei, टोपली कारवी
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 18, 1/100 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Variation of Impatiens Lawii (pink- white), गुलाबी तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 16, 1/125 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 14, 1/800 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/1000 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii variation violet-white, जांभळा तेरडा
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 8, 1/800 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Dipcadi montanum surrounded by Impatiens Lawii
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 8, 1/640 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pogostemon Deccanensis, जांभळी मंजिरी
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pogostemon Deccanensis, जांभळी मंजिरी
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Pogostemon Deccanensis, जांभळी मंजिरी
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/125 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii and Senecio Bombayensis flower beds, जांभळी तेरडा, सोनकी
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/200 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii and cattle grazing
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 11, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Vulnerable Nest of Malabar Crested Lark in the green grass.
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 5.6 , 1/200 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Exacum lawii, लहान चिरायत
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 13, 1/200 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii and Utricularia Pupurascens
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/250 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Impatiens Lawii
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 18, 1/200 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Drossera Indica, गवती दवबिंदू
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 22, 1/15 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Drossera Indica, गवती दवबिंदू
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 16, 1/30 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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Drossera Indica, गवती दवबिंदू
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Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 150 mm macro lens,iso 400, f 16, 1/125 sec, -2/3 EC, Kaas platue, Satara, Maharashtra |
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The Road from Kaas to Satara town
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Canon EOS 350D, Canon 100-400 mm L IS Lens ,iso 400, f 5.6, 1/3200 sec, -1 1/3 EC, Satara, Maharashtra |
| Contact me at kale_v@rediffmail.com for any queries and suggestions.
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