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UPAYAN CHATTERJEE

Independent Documentary Photographer

Tryst with the Owlets

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THE FIRST ENCOUNTER : This was ...nd around this particular tree.

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THE FIRST ENCOUNTER : This was the first time that I encountered the spotted owlet in 2017. Over the next two years, I spent long hours, observing their behavior in and around this particular tree.

WATCHING THEM SLEEP : Observing...l hours of watching them sleep.

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WATCHING THEM SLEEP : Observing owls during the day is essentially about long, peaceful hours of watching them sleep.

NESTLED : This particular branc...eryday, over the winter months.

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NESTLED : This particular branch is a favourite resting spot for the owlets. I watched them at this very spot almost everyday, over the winter months.

DREAMS OF AN OWLET : There is n...e person. Strange. Fascinating.

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DREAMS OF AN OWLET : There is no conclusive evidence as to whether owls actually have dreams but, seeing an owl in the dreams, is though to bring wisdom to the person. Strange. Fascinating.

ACCUSTOMED : It was beautiful h...autiful to experience the bond.

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ACCUSTOMED : It was beautiful how the owls would look directly look into the camera, the very moment they woke up. It tells me that they had been aware of my presence for the entire while but still decided to stay. It took a lot of effort to build this trust, but it was beautiful to experience the bond.

THE PIRATES : The owls, waking ...r seemingly comical activities.

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THE PIRATES : The owls, waking up from their slumber, present these opportunities to photograph their seemingly comical activities.

INTIMATE :Their waking up, in c... that I get to spend with them.

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INTIMATE :Their waking up, in complete acceptance of my presence, is also the most intimate moment that I get to spend with them.

OBSERVANT : Observing the owls ...their surroundings, when awake.

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OBSERVANT : Observing the owls is, in itself, an exercise of being observant as owls, themselves are intricate observers, scanning every bit of their surroundings, when awake.

EYES HAVE IT : The lustrous, ro...fely rotated about 270 degrees.

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EYES HAVE IT : The lustrous, round eyes of the owl are equipped with disproportionately large eyeballs for excellent night vision. However, the owls for this very reason, can't move their eyeballs in the sockets and have had to come up with the incredibly flexible neck, that can be safely rotated about 270 degrees.

THE SILENT UNDERSTANDING : This...he most magical moments of all.

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THE SILENT UNDERSTANDING : This is about the conversations that happen in silence, over the long hours of just sitting with each other, in complete peace of mind. Perhaps, the most magical moments of all.

A LEAFY ABODE : An owl peers th...at has caught it's eye.

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A LEAFY ABODE : An owl peers through the foliage, intently observing something that has caught it's eye.

THE PROLIFIC POSER : An owlet a...gular structure of tree trunks.

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THE PROLIFIC POSER : An owlet almost poses for the lens before a soft background of foliage, framed by a triangular structure of tree trunks.

THE LAST ENCOUNTER : This was t...re lock-down forced me indoors.

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THE LAST ENCOUNTER : This was the last encounter that I had with an owlet, before lock-down forced me indoors.

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Public Project

Tryst with the Owlets

Copyright UPAYAN CHATTERJEE 2024

Date of Work Dec 2017 - Ongoing

Updated Aug 2020

Location Howrah, India

Topics Birds, Documentary, Emotion, Environment, Essays, Forest, Photography, Spotlight, Wildlife

I have long been frequenting a local garden, aiming at documenting the species that call it home. The journey has been amazing so far and I have had the privilege of sitting amidst the lush greens of nature, observing and documenting resident, migratory species of birds, insects and reptiles, including ancient colonies of turtles.
And yet, amidst everything, I developed a very strong personal connection with a pair of spotted owlets, after unexpectedly stumbling upon them. I have followed them ever since, over two years and wish to continue with it as soon as the situation allows me to. With the lock-down forcing me indoors, it has been 6 months now since I have last seen them and this photo-story is a celebration of the very special bond that I still share with them

My article tracing my relationship with this space appeared country-wide on the Evoke Inspire Column of The Times of India news platform.

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