Dynamic landscapes of Lavasa - valley, mountains and river

I had absolutely fallen in love with the landscapes of Lavasa. The main reason being the various vantage points while getting to and moving around Lavasa. 

So the series continues with a few more shots of the valley and mountains. The flowing river and dramatic clouds add to the dynamism of the landscape, to which, I hope I've done some justice.

Now, let's try create a bit of drama through HDR.

And here's the original for reference.

Worth hearing your comments and feedback for the HDR effort. 


 

Aerial view of Lavasa - hills, valley, civilisation and river

There is little doubt in Lavasa being a serene and picturesque hill station with a lot of it natural beauty still intact. Here are a few aerial views depicting the hills, the valley, civilisation and and the river along with the dam.

An HDR aerial shot of the main town and waterfront

 

 

The Picturesque Pawna Lake

Pawna Lake, alternatively spelt as Pawana, Pavana, Pavna is located on a slightly off-beat route from Lonavla towards Paud. The lake is because of the Pawna Dam, which acts as a reservoir and hydro plant.

Nestled between the mountains, the view is simply breathtaking and serene! The drive is wonderful during the monsoons and the roads are largely pretty good. 

Once you've enjoyed the tranquility out here, the Lohagarh fort isn't very far or like us, you could continue on your way to Pune/Lavasa.

The Lonely Tree in Solitude

Day 2 of Project365 continues with a landscape shot from Lavasa. Anything standing out, always catches one's eye, and so did this lonely tree in solitude. Accompanying it for a change was a pleasant cloud cover. 

I also pondered what it would be to be staying in those little houses seen in the background on the foothills.

Lavasa Waterfront at Twilight

After a long hiatus, I return for Project 365, where either I'll upload or take a photo each day. So, we restart from where we left, Lavasa, a beautiful hill station nestled in Maharashtra. 

Here are three shots of the Lavasa Waterfront, which is the promenade, around the twilight hour. Let's have your pick off the three shots. 

Included are parts of the Dasvino Club

A close-up

The dense cloud cover as the shot dates back to the monsoons

I'd love to know your personal favourite off the three and also if you've got any suggestions on the shots.

A Paddy Field

A Paddy Field

 En route Lavasa, we came across this small paddy (I hope I've got this right) field with a bunch of farmers. The sight was quite pleasing for us to see but certainly quite a task to be doing in those conditions.

The old-school manual way of ploughing a field using bullocks

 I certainly have tried my hands at this; have you ever tried manual ploughing?

A dense cloud cover

A Dense Cloud Cover

Hill stations offer tranquility and scenic views and one such view is a dense cloud cover that literally gives a 'walk in the clouds' feel. 

Doesn't it? 

For those who love soaking up to a downpour, it's all just begun!

Travel and Photos

Travel and Photos

Travel and photos; the return. It's been almost a year and a half since I have unwillingly been away with this blog and my fellow blogger friends. I've also, sadly, not been able to spend enough time with my camera and on my travels.

But then, the time seemed to have come when this aloofness has started to hit me. And here I am continuing where I left to share and learn. 

It's the peak of monsoons here in Mumbai, India, so what better way to start with the current feel and mood!

As always, feedback appreciated and criticism welcomed.

Both shots, en route Lavasa

And I do sincerely hope to be here regularly and respond to comments and email; and of course, kick start Saturday Sareenity very soon!

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Saturday Sareenity - Weekly Challenge 9

Ran a little late again this week but, welcome to Saturday Sareenity; a weekly meme where you can submit any photo that you think symbolises something calm and serene. It could be nature, landscape, critters, children; absolutely anything.

Based on the voting, we'll have a 'Featured Photo of the Week' in the following week's challenge.

In addition, you can still participate if you don't have a photo that qualifies for symbolising 'calm and serene', but then it cannot qualify for being the featured photo, even if it gets the most votes.

And yes, please do link back to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity.


The voting was a little low last week but there is a clear winner from last week. And it is Carole's Creative Corner - Serene Scene.

This shot has come all the way from Australia and the shot speaks for itself. The stillness of the water, the reflections and the tones in the sky, all just make such a perfect setting don't they?

Congrats, and feel free to grab your 'Featured' button!

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="hhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUs7okLJXlDaCXH-5dN13QA1B3Mn8mYZK3kNbT219RsBK8Qi5nG1clGy9mHHsCYEbq7LUhkN-s2F59yhzbUYkehb60CQY_9drd5Mx0S419HG_NtGLyvh6dklWivaw_8uAO6CFMA4iLnY/s1600/Feautred+at+Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>

And now for this week's challenge. 

For those who are new, here are a few simple rules to play by:

• Do link the permalink of the blog post that you're submitting and not you're blog URL
• Please do try visit fellow participants; should help in discovering other good photography blogs and in learning
• You can submit your entries Fri-Tue and then come back to vote Tue-Thus
• It would be nice if you could follow
• By contributing to the meme, you give me permission to use the submitted photo on my site and even feature it if its the top pick of the week
• You must link up to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity for others to join and I'd appreciate it if you can add the button

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdApxybvxi5aF-DAos_5zTAdmF9Xp_HhbuuJJG7jgraiyDF4Un5XLlc5RT1QeVIkdtABQdTT3Blfy8nfi9UOJB2nZWe0Z1FeqoSz-7BrnNzOkkZPtwWfHJSPXvLAZHvkSPS3-dS6MYZZ0/s1600/Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>  

PS: 'Sareen' is my last name and hence the creative liberty of spelling serene :). 

Cheers!

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Saturday Sareenity - Weekly Challenge 8

Ouch! My sincere apologies to everyone at Saturday Sareenity for an unsaid week long (actually two) break and not being able to participate myself. Work's been chaotic, but good, which is satisfying! Sometimes, passions and hobbies take a back seat, don't they?

So, without wasting anymore time, welcome to Saturday Sareenity; a weekly meme where you can submit any photo that you think symbolises something calm and serene. It could be nature, landscape, critters, children; absolutely anything.

Based on the voting, we'll have a 'Featured Photo of the Week' in the following week's challenge.

In addition, you can still participate if you don't have a photo that qualifies for symbolising 'calm and serene', but then it cannot qualify for being the featured photo, even if it gets the most votes.

And yes, please do link back to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity.


This week, well I was simply shoddy not being able to drop by or conduct! So, without much delay, the winner from last week is Marit's - Skjell, which I'm guessing means shells.

This shot is from Norway and one look and you know if probably the most beautiful and creative interpretation of shooting a shell!

Congrats, and feel free to grab your 'Featured' button!

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="hhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUs7okLJXlDaCXH-5dN13QA1B3Mn8mYZK3kNbT219RsBK8Qi5nG1clGy9mHHsCYEbq7LUhkN-s2F59yhzbUYkehb60CQY_9drd5Mx0S419HG_NtGLyvh6dklWivaw_8uAO6CFMA4iLnY/s1600/Feautred+at+Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>

Also, thank you for contributing on the voting feedback...we'll be voting for three favourite entries! 

And now for this week's challenge. 

For those who are new, here are a few simple rules to play by:

• Do link the permalink of the blog post that you're submitting and not you're blog URL
• Please do try visit fellow participants; should help in discovering other good photography blogs and in learning
• You can submit your entries Fri-Tue and then come back to vote Tue-Thus
• It would be nice if you could follow
• By contributing to the meme, you give me permission to use the submitted photo on my site and even feature it if its the top pick of the week
• You must link up to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity for others to join and I'd appreciate it if you can add the button

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdApxybvxi5aF-DAos_5zTAdmF9Xp_HhbuuJJG7jgraiyDF4Un5XLlc5RT1QeVIkdtABQdTT3Blfy8nfi9UOJB2nZWe0Z1FeqoSz-7BrnNzOkkZPtwWfHJSPXvLAZHvkSPS3-dS6MYZZ0/s1600/Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>  

PS: 'Sareen' is my last name and hence the creative liberty of spelling serene :). 

Cheers!

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Saturday Sareenity - Weekly Challenge 7

Welcome to Saturday Sareenity, a weekly meme where you can submit any photo that you think symbolises something calm and serene. It could be nature, landscape, critters, children; absolutely anything.

Based on the voting, we'll have a 'Featured Photo of the Week' in the following week's challenge.

In addition, you can still participate if you don't have a photo that qualifies for symbolising 'calm and serene', but then it cannot qualify for being the featured photo, even if it gets the most votes.

And yes, please do link back to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity.


This week was great - the quality of photos coming in were absolutely breathtaking. There were at least 5-6 shots that I absolutely fell in love with and could easily by classified as stunning by all means! And the others too were lovely and serene in their own right.

This meant that voting was very tough; even I had a very had time picking and casting three votes. But the good part was that as many as 11 entries got voted, which means that not only was voting turnout good but also that it was really hard to choose a favourite; we all have our preferences given the mood we are in don't we?

Anyways, without much ado, the winner from last week is LadyFi's - Frozen Lilac.

This shot is from Sweden and shot...well, I wonder if I really have to say anything about it?

Congrats, and feel free to grab your 'Featured' button!

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="hhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUs7okLJXlDaCXH-5dN13QA1B3Mn8mYZK3kNbT219RsBK8Qi5nG1clGy9mHHsCYEbq7LUhkN-s2F59yhzbUYkehb60CQY_9drd5Mx0S419HG_NtGLyvh6dklWivaw_8uAO6CFMA4iLnY/s1600/Feautred+at+Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>

I do have a little question; how does everyone prefer voting? Do you prefer voting for just one entry or are happy to vote for 3? Or would you like to vote for 5 entries and want to see the top 3 featured? I'd appreciate your feedback on this. 

And now for this week's challenge. 

For those who are new, here are a few simple rules to play by:

• Do link the permalink of the blog post that you're submitting and not you're blog URL
• Please do try visit fellow participants; should help in discovering other good photography blogs and in learning
• You can submit your entries Fri-Tue and then come back to vote Tue-Thus
• It would be nice if you could follow
• By contributing to the meme, you give me permission to use the submitted photo on my site and even feature it if its the top pick of the week
• You must link up to My Third Eye or Saturday Sareenity for others to join and I'd appreciate it if you can add the button

<center><a href="http://3rdeyelens.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Sareenity" target="_blank"><br /><br /><img alt="Saturday Sareenity" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdApxybvxi5aF-DAos_5zTAdmF9Xp_HhbuuJJG7jgraiyDF4Un5XLlc5RT1QeVIkdtABQdTT3Blfy8nfi9UOJB2nZWe0Z1FeqoSz-7BrnNzOkkZPtwWfHJSPXvLAZHvkSPS3-dS6MYZZ0/s1600/Saturday+Sareenity.jpg" /></a></center>  

PS: 'Sareen' is my last name and hence the creative liberty of spelling serene :). 

Cheers!

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Scavenger Hunt - Week 12th February

This is an entry for the Scavenger Hunt - Week 12th February.The five submissions were for Facial Feature, Shadow, Spicy, Gold and Fabric.

Here is my interpretation and entry for the Scavenger Hunt.

1.Facial Feature
 You'll get it aplenty in a bride

2.Shadow
Follow me...

3.Spicy
Fiery!!!

4.Gold
Chuuda and Kalere of an Indian bride

5.Fabric
Batek Fabric Art - traditional to Malaysia

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