Wildlife Photography at NPL Colony – Owls, Peacocks & Urban Nature in Delhi NCR

NPL Colony (National Physical Laboratory Colony) became one of the most unexpectedly rewarding wildlife photography locations in my journey. What started as a temporary residential stay during a personal phase of life eventually turned into a unique opportunity to observe and photograph urban wildlife right outside my home in Delhi NCR.

During this period, my wife was in the final stages of her pregnancy, and we stayed in a ground-floor house within the colony for around three to four months. The primary reason for choosing this location was accessibility—so she could easily travel to her PhD university while staying close to support systems. What I did not anticipate was how rich the surrounding natural environment would turn out to be.

A Natural Pocket Inside Urban Delhi

Despite being a residential scientific colony, NPL Colony has a surprisingly strong presence of urban wildlife and birdlife.

Daily sounds and sightings included:

• Loud calls of parakeets in the mornings

• Occasional sightings of Red Naped Ibis

• Frequent peacock movements across open areas

• Small bird activity throughout the greenery

For a wildlife photographer, this kind of everyday environment becomes a constantly evolving frame, where nature quietly exists alongside urban life.

The Owl Family – A Rare Urban Wildlife Encounter

The most memorable moment of my entire stay came when I discovered a family of Spotted Owls nesting just about 10 meters from my house.

It was an extraordinary sight—something I had never experienced before in such close proximity.

The nest had:

• Three to four owls in total

• Adult owls guarding and observing the surroundings

• Owl chicks (juveniles) that were extremely expressive and curious

What fascinated me the most was the behavior of the young owls. They would often:

• Look directly at humans with a mix of curiosity and caution

• React to movement around the nest

• Stay closely protected by the adult owls

It was a rare opportunity to observe wildlife behavior at such close range without disturbing the ecosystem.

Photographing Owls in a Residential Setting

Since the owls were nesting so close to my home, I was able to observe and photograph them over a period of time while maintaining ethical distance.

Key considerations during this shoot included:

• Maintaining a safe and respectful distance

• Avoiding disturbance to nesting behavior

• Using long-lens compositions for framing

• Working with natural light conditions

Because I was using a telephoto setup, I could capture detailed behavioral moments without interfering with the animals’ natural environment.

The experience taught me that wildlife photography is not always about forests or safaris—sometimes, it exists right outside your window.

Learning Urban Wildlife Photography

Photographing wildlife in NPL Colony helped me understand a very different aspect of wildlife photography: urban coexistence.

Unlike national parks or reserves, urban wildlife photography requires:

• Patience over time rather than short shooting windows

• Awareness of animal behavior in human-dominated spaces

• Ethical distance and minimal interference

• Observation-based shooting rather than pursuit-based photography

It also reinforced the importance of being ready at any moment, because wildlife sightings in urban environments are often spontaneous and unpredictable.

A Personal Phase, A Creative Opportunity

This phase of staying at NPL Colony was personally significant, as it was centered around family responsibilities and preparation for an important life transition.

Because of limited mobility during that time, I was not able to travel extensively for photography assignments. However, the immediate surroundings provided a rare opportunity to stay connected with wildlife photography without leaving home.

It reminded me that:

• Photography opportunities are often where you least expect them

• Nature adapts even within urban environments

• Observation can sometimes be more powerful than exploration

Final Thoughts

My experience at NPL Colony remains one of the most intimate and surprising wildlife photography experiences in my journey.

From daily sightings of parakeets and peacocks to the unforgettable discovery of a nesting owl family just meters away from home, it reinforced my belief that wildlife photography is not limited to forests and national parks—it also exists quietly within cities.

This period taught me patience, respect for wildlife, and the importance of staying observant even in everyday environments.

For me, NPL Colony will always be remembered as the place where urban life and wildlife unexpectedly came together in the most beautiful way.