Hyderabad: A successful chef, teacher, and well-known bird photographer – Srinivas Mallela dons many hats.
After being a chef with several renowned restaurants, including ITC hotels for years, Srinivas is now enjoying being a teacher at the Shri Shakti Institute of Hotel Management. And, although he has a hectic schedule, every Sunday, Srinivas leaves his house early morning to reach a forest reserve area nearby Hyderabad.
Lotens sunbird
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“I find watching the birds quite relaxing,” shares Srinivas, adding, “No matter how busy my week has been or how hectic the week ahead is going to be, I always make sure that I go to a forest reserve or national park to spend some peaceful time amidst nature. It recharges me for what lies ahead.”
Spot bellied eagle owl
Recalling how he was always into bird watching, Srinivas says, “I think the fascination for birds was always there. I remember my parents would take me to the Nehru Zoological Park, where I loved looking at the birds. I rejoiced when the sparrows would come home every day. I didn’t know the names of even common birds back then, but they made me happy.”
Growing up Srinivas prioritise his education, and couldn’t devote as much time to his hobby. Years later, however, he not only started watching the birds again but started clicking their pictures too.
“Along with my friends, I used to go on long bike rides. Since we crossed several green spots, we would stop our bikes to just look around. I started noticing the small, chirpy birds again there. Slowly, as my interest grew I became part of the birding groups in the city. I also purchased a good camera to click the birds. Interestingly, I have been able to spot a few very rare birds. In fact, I am the only bird photographer in Telangana who spotted and clicked White Bellied Minivet — a species which is spotted very rarely in this State,” shares a smiling Srinivas.
While watching the birds can be very peaceful, Srinivas shares that the hobby comes with its own challenges.
“It’s all about patience and how calm you can keep yourself while inside the jungle. The smallest of sounds can scare away the bird,” he says. Sharing a recent anecdote, Srinivas says, “I was in the Nallamala forest, and knew that one could spot the Spot Bellied Eagle Owl. I spent the entire day there and couldn’t spot the bird. It was only after walking for hours, that I was able to click the owl, that too while the sun was still out. I have also had days where I have waited for hours and haven’t been able to click anything worthwhile. So, for those who want to do bird photography, I suggest you practice sitting on one spot for long hours,” he says.
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