Had been to a one day workshop with Pixetra on sunday. We went to Banerghatta and there were about 10 of us. It was a very very good workshop and I learnt a lot. Also got to try some cool lenses which I plan to buy in the future.
After a good breakfast, we headed into the jungle and after a good walk, we spotted some social spider webs and some birds which ofcourse a lot of people were able to identify better than me. Further up, on top of a hill, we managed to find the nest of a stone chat with a chick and a egg still inside. Couldn’t get a good enough photo with my lens though. Then we took a different route as we headed back to where we had made camp for the day and this route took us into the thorny area of the jungle so to speak. But all the thorns and the discomfort was worth is because we managed to find a Slender Loris. We were able to get a very good look at this elusive animal and it was the first time anyone in our group had actually seen it in the wild. Also, finding this particular animal at banerghatta at was rare in itself.
After a good lunch, we settled down and looked at the photos that we had taken and then analyzed and critiqued them.
It was a wonderful day and it was nice to meet a lot of fellow photographers who share the same interests.
I have uploaded some of the photos here..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53311023@N00/sets/72157603812279040/detail/

Also, Pratik was one of the members who had joined us, and after a brief chat, we realized that we had actually met when we had both gone to purchase our DSLRs.
Its a small world after all.

Came home, took rest for a couple of hrs and then went to a dhaba to meet some of my college friends.
Overall a wonderful weekend.

I’ve been up and running with my camera off late. Now that I have a DSLR I can very clearly see the advantages of  it over a Point and Shoot. I have nothing against P&S… but I like what  DSLRs offer.

Been taking my camera wherever I go, so that I can shoot whenever I can. Learnt a lot of things off late. Also, attended Pixetra Club Meeting on Saturday. H V Praveen Kumar, who is a wildlife photographer since 1995 was there to show some of his photographs and also talk about travel to sanctuaries, photography tips, behavioral patterns of animals and birds. All in all, it was great experience and got to see some wonderful photographs. There was a good talk on Tiger conservation as well.

amoghavarsha

 and 

anushsh

 showed up as well.

The weekend overall was pretty relaxing and the weather also improved…so it was good.
 

Been a bit busy with work over the past week. Haven’t had time to do much of anything else. Office from 10-8 can really take it out of you.  But seems like things are getting better even though am working a bit more.

Finally, I got myself a Digital SLR. A Canon EOS 350D.

I got the camera with the kit lens, 4 GB Card and a small pouch for around 28k. Pretty good value for money I felt.. and having used this camera with Amogh  previously felt it was pretty good as well. Managed to sell my Panasonic Lumix FZ8 to my uncle so all in all everything went well.

In other news..i joined Pixetra. I had joined a few weeks back when they had organized a workshop at Bhadra, but I couldn’t go because of Conjunctivitis (Madras Eye). But I got my welcome kit ( a shirt i.e.) yesterday and my membership card. So now I consider myself an actual member.