delhi

It is a joyous sight to behold Amaltas trees in full bloom, as the bright yellow flowers light up the entire neighbourhood. In my home state, these yellows combine the reds of the Gulmohars and Palash flowers, and the purples of Jacarandas to form a beautiful backdrop to Bihu – the Assamese spring festival.

Back here in Delhi, I am lucky to be living in an area with a profusion of Amaltas trees across the neighbourhood. So every season sees me walking around with my camera in hand like a man possessed – trying to capture on camera what what my eyes see – beautiful droplets of yellow gold tapering down from every branch as some fresh new leaves spice up the scene with their reds, orange and green hues.

Here is this season’s catch!

It sounds unbelievable. In the midst of one of the most polluted cities in the world lie 435 acres of unspoilt forest, home to a number of wild animals – neelgai, foxes, peacocks, pheasants, mongooses, and of course, monkeys. I consider myself extremely lucky to live just five minutes away from this paradise – the Jahapanah City Forest. I feel like Alice jumping into the rabbit hole when I enter the gates to Jahapanah and enter into this peaceful, soothing world that helps me get back in touch with nature.

Thanks to the profusion of flowering plants and trees present there, in my mind I see Jahapanah having two clear “colour seasons”. The season that is currently on is the “red season”, thanks to the bougainvilleas that are in full bloom across the forest. The Coronary Crisis lockdown is unfortunately preventing us from enjoying this season to the full. Hopefully, the forest will be reopened in time for the “yellow season”, as the Amaltas start flowering.

I would like to share the sights of this red season with you all, so here are some photos taken during my walks and runs there before the lockdown started. All photographs have been taken on my trusty old iPhone. Hope you enjoy them. Please leave your comments and suggestions if you can.