A quiet winter morning shrouded in fog, with birds soaring gracefully overhead, says SAKSHI PRIYA
"In the presence of birds, you are never alone"
The Dhanauri Wetlands near Thasrana, Uttar Pradesh, feel like a secret nature has been hiding. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t show up on tourist maps and remains untouched, waiting for someone to stumble upon its quiet beauty. I arrived early, greeted by a thick winter fog that covered everything in a soft, blurry haze. It was so still, so quiet, that even the faintest rustle of reeds or the caking calls of unseen birds felt amplified.
Walking closer to the lake, I could barely make out the outlines of trees and water. The area was vast, with greenery stretching as far as the eye could see. At times, the water would appear in patches, while at other moments, it would vanish entirely into the landscape, making the entire place seem like an endless stretch of nature. But the real magic happened when I looked up. Dozens of birds, including Baikal teal, Sarus Crane, white-throated kingfishers, Bull - headed shrike, Black drongo, Citrine wagtail and Painted stork, soared above, their wings cutting through the misty sky, filling the air with sound.
At first, I wasn’t happy that the fog was here, thinking it would ruin my chances of getting great photos. But as I watched the birds move through the mist, the aesthetic of the fog, the birds and the calm weather captivated my mind. There was something calming about how the fog blurred everything, turning the moment into a peaceful dream.
As the sun finally began to rise around 11 AM, the transformation was magical. The fog lifted slowly, revealing a stunning world that had been hidden. The lake shimmered under the sunlight, mirroring the flocks of painted storks as they gracefully took to the sky. White-throated kingfishers darted over the water like streaks of blue lightning, while grey-headed swamphens moved through the reeds.
The crisp winter air made the colours of the birds appear even more vibrant. Baikal teal, with their striking plumage, stood out among the greens and blues of the wetlands. Every direction I turned, there was a new scene to capture, a perfect moment of nature.
What struck me most was the silence. There were no crowds, no noise, just the sound of wings, water and bird calls. It’s rare to find a place like this, where time seems to pause and all you can do is be present. Dhanauri Wetlands doesn’t demand attention, but it rewards those who choose to notice it.
For anyone who loves birds, photography or simply quiet moments in nature, this place is a gift. The foggy mornings, the vibrant afternoons and the abundance of life make it feel almost unreal, like a sanctuary that exists outside the rush of the world. If you go, go early and let yourself get lost in its beauty. It’s a spot for birdwatching and a reminder of why we need places like this, where nature thrives on its own terms.