The great divide, or the shape of things to come in advertising!

I usually don't post graphics or pictures created by others, but I felt that this infographic created by http://www.voltierdigital.com/ is a really useful one for everyone who wishes to remain relevant as a brand in the foreseeable future.

Have a look... and in case you are not able to see the infographic properly go to this mashable post where it is very clearly visible - http://mashable.com/2011/10/30/inbound-outbound-marketing/

10 ways to get the top 25 videos about the 5 best things that the 20 top people use for the 100 best sites about the 5 best things that use the 10 biggest mistakes that get the 10 best results!

When will everyone get tired of the 10 ways, 25 top things, 100 best sites that seem to have taken over the entire Internet, from social media to blogs to whatever, everything is about 10 ways…

The Internet needs a new way to share content and write headlines. Any ideas?

The Vinoculars, what I’ve imagined and dreamed of for years now, are actually here! Yipeeeeee… And now for the price…

Many a times I thought and labored about why a binocular and a digital camera cannot be merged into one awesome birdwatching device. I have searched the internet in vain looking for something that can do this.

Now, it is finally here - the ultra-awesome Sony Video Binoculars or Vinoculars, a dream come true for birdwatchers in all aspects (except the price)!

There are two model DEV 3 and DEV 5, and since for us birdwatchers there is no question that it is the ultimate device, let me get to the price right away. They plan to price them at $1400 (Rs. 64,300) and $2000 (Rs. 91,800) each.

That’s a lot, so let me start telling you about what they can do.

Go on! Click on it for a much bigger image. 

Primarily, they can take 7.1 megapixel still images and 1080 high definition video. Their magnification is 10X optical through Sony G lenses (F1.9 to F3.4) with optical stabilization, and a very useful feature, a pair of backside-illuminated CMOS sensors that help capture good photographs in low-light situations. The 7.1-megapixel still images are captured in 4:3 aspect ratio and they also capture 5.3-megapixel still images in 16:9 aspect ratio.

There is built-in optical steady shot image stabilization and auto focus or manual focus.

Also there is a powerful microphone so that you can record bird song. Man… what a dream device!

The video capture is incredible, in 1080p high-definition recording at 60 frames per second and 24 frames per second. There is also 3-D still and video capture that sounds like an unnecessary extra, it must have gone a long way to increase the price of the Vinoculars!

By the way, the more expensive Vinoculars also have 20X telephoto like magnification through digital zoom, and geo-tagging through a built in GPS receiver (so you can tell others exactly here you were when you saw that rare bird!).

They weight 1200 grams as compared to 850 grams for a typical Olympus 10 X 50 binoculars. That’s just 350 grams heavier than a normal pair of binoculars.

This is all I need... no food no water no nothing, just Vinoculars!

These awesome devices work through two small cameras inside the Vinoculars and the 2-D still and Video happens through one of them, while for the 3-D both camera record.

I want them! I want them now! I am starting to save money right now for the November launch of the Vinoculars…

Birds-ctasy!

A little rain in the night meant that it wasn’t a very bright morning, so it was all very well that our plan got delayed. We were to reach the Ridge near the polo grounds by 7.30 am, but reached only at about 8.45 am.

A little bit of mist was still there in the air, as we turned our car into the first left after the statues of Gandhi Ji and his followers at the end of SP Marg. It was going to be our very first birding jaunt in this part of the Delhi Ridge. Right after the turning there were a few tenements of construction labourers, whom we asked for directions. We were told that the army polo ground was just down the road.

We drove over the rough road, and suddenly came upon a large regal tree, and the polo ground behind it. Oh the joy of discovering a beautiful place which is so near yet so completely hidden from us. The polo ground and the area around it was like a wind-blown hill station, especially on that winter morning. We got out of the car, and were struck by the crispness of the air and the sheer beauty of nature all around.

The tree next to the polo ground

We walked along a motorable road lined by tall trees, with the polo ground on our left and inviting forests to our right. We could hear a variety of birdcalls right away, and there were so many, that we quickened our steps to get into the forested area.

The road leading into the forested ridge

Birds, trees and butterflies at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park! - A Photo Walk.

It was a dreary January 1st 2011, when at about 8 am, we set out for the Yamuna Biodiversity Park. We had only seen the directions on the website of the biodiversity park, and went straight on the ring road after the ITO crossing, looking for a place where the road was split into two by a divider. We found it and took a right turn over a 'nalla', and entered the lane alongside the 'nalla'. This lane was supposed to take us to the biodiversity park, and was also supposed to have a few signboards. There were no signboards, and it took many turns and twists before taking us to the biodiversity park. 

We had taken the wrong turning after the divider. We should have gone on straight on the ring road and taken a right turn after a petrol pump, where there was a signboard of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

Not withstanding that, we came to a road that went alongside the Yamuna river. On this road, we saw some pretty interesting areas where birding could be a possibility. Finally after reaching a place called Jagatpur, we reached the biodiversity park.

The time was 8.55 am, and we walked into the gates. We were met by a few grizzled old men sitting around a small bonfire. They told us that we could not enter the park wihtout permission or without the scientist-in-charge being there. However an old man was very helpful, and made a few calls, and on contacting one of the people in charge, he allowed us to go for a small round with one of the men  there.

The man told us that there were many snakes in the park, and in the summers they are often seen on the paths, which is why it was mandatory to go with someone from the park. 

We set out, and the first thing we saw was a signboard about the nursery.

A sign board that captures the basics of the park 

It was a cloudy day, but the park was looking wild and inviting.

The wilderness is taking shape

A very large area and clear walking routes

Thick undergrowth perfect for small mammals and birds

We saw some interesting plants, including cactii.

From cacti to all kinds of exotic flora

Arctic chemical waste dead poison river drain Yamuna - A Photo Walk!

It was a cold December morning, and we reached Okhla Bird Park. We stepped on to the bamboo bridge that joined the main path to watchtower no. 2. It was a sturdy and exciting bridge.

We walked to the watchtower and a little beyond right up to the water, but there were very few birds around. A purple heron was waiting to catch some fish.

Seeking more excitement, we came back from the watchtower and drove down the road that goes along the water body and on to the Kalindi Kunj main road. Surprisingly, there were a huge number of swallows flying over the water.

There were quite a few black headed gulls too.

We drove onto the main road and turned into the lane that goes along the 'nalla' flowing parallel to river Yamuna. We wanted to get aboat ride, but the fishermen there had shifted across the river on to the other bank. On the way back we saw a rapotor perched on a tree, it lookde like a Serpent Eagle but finally we agreed that it was nothing more exciting than a Black Kite.

On reaching the other bank, after driving into the road that heads out towards 'khader', we negotiated with a fisherman to take us around on the river. We stepped into the boat amidst an arctic landscape. It wasn't snow or ice though, it was industrial affluent foam that had formed a thick layer over the river water.

How to reach Yamuna Biodiversity Park - with photos, landmarks and contact number!

We made a few mistakes while reaching Yamuna Biodiversity park, so I thought I could take a few pictures to help others reach it (many were taken on the way back so are unclear, still they might help).

The basic route as currently given on websites and blogs is something like this, directions to Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Delhi:

Go along the ring road straight down ISBT (kashmere Gate), for a couple of kilometres beyond Majnu Ka Tila. Go towards Wazirabad, till you come to the big Wazirabad crossing (for ID – there is short divider here which splits the straight-going lane into two). Carry on straight and then take a right after the Wazirabad crossing. Go across a nalla. Once on the other side, take a left so that you are running parallel to the nalla. Now, look out for and follow the Yamuna Biodiversity Park signboards. Take a right again which will lead you to the Yamuna Biodiversity Park.

HERE ARE THE UPDATED DIRECTIONS FOR YAMUNA BIODIVERSITY PARK:

Go straight along the Ring Road pass ISBT, keep going straight till you come to the Wazirabad Crossing.

                                                        On the left it says Wazirabad! 

                                              The Road Directions near Wazirabad crossing!

At this point a divider appears on the road that splits the road in two, however there is a lot more too. There is construction happening on a large scale, and there are screening boards on both sides.