[stormerider]

I love wildlife. Hence wander around at any given opportunity. Have been mad about jungles for about 5 years now. It all started with a trip to Ranthambore in 2010 and spotting 3 tigers in a single safari. This mad love is greatly supported by my better half who is equally eager, if not more, to take it to the wild. Our excursions had come to a halt in 2013 when my princess was born. But now all three of us and friends have started going out again. A new found love for birds is also pushing us. Being based out in Jaipur helps us in this matter further with Ranthambore and Bharatpur in 200km radius, we can go there for a day-trip on a Sunday also.
Being an amateur, would request the pros to be a little lenient toward my photography. Any tips and suggestions are always welcome.

The Majestic Tiger



Spotted Deer in the wild



Saras Crane

[stormerider]

The photos in this travelogue come from various places and many trips. Apart from the rhinos, all the birds and animals you will see are from Ranthambore Tiger reserve, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, and lakes around Jaipur.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
The well known Tiger reserve of Rajasthan is situated in Sawai Madhopur district and is easily accessible by road and rail. It is 175 km from Jaipur. The road is good sans a stretch fo 35-40km. Apart from Tigers, the reserve is home to a large variety of birds and is a treat for bird watchers and nature lovers. For going inside the sanctuary one can either book a gypsy or a canter from the forest office. Online booking system is also there, but its a rare chance that one would be able to book a gypsy for core zones(1-5), as the local hotel guys keep them pre-booked. A lot of hotels are there and one can find a hotel/resort for every budget.
The park is closed during the monsoon season from july-september. Inside the park lies the ranthambore fort, now in ruins, reminding us of the bygone era. The fort also houses a famous Ganesha Temple. Vehicles are allowed to the temple round the year during day time with a chance of spotting wildlife, sometimes even tigers. We have spotted tigers 3-4 times while going to temple, and once a leopard also. One of those times, a tiger crossed the road right in front of my safari.

Keoladev Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur
Another well known sanctuary and pilgrimage for bird watchers. Located around 200 kms from jaipur on the jaipur-agra highway. This park boasts of more 350 species of birds! It used to be a duck shooting reserve earlier and was converted into a sanctuary. Tourists can visit all the year round. One can either walk, rent a bicycle, hire a cycle-rickshaw/tanga/golf cart. One can also hire a guide for assistance. A lot of hotels are there in every price range.

Chandlai Lake, Jaipur
Huge lake at around 30kms from jaipur on the tonk road. This lake is one of the lesser known areas, but houses a lot of birds and some rare ones like the flamingos. The lake grows in size during monsoon and covers a lot of farm lands. hence there is no cultivation in the submerged farms for 4 months and one can see a lot of birds nesting in this area. The villagers are very helpful around this place. One of them even guided us deep inside the water logged farms for spotting a group of flamingos.

Jal-Mahal, Jaipur
Largest water body of jaipur. Houses the famous Lake palace. This place acts as a tourist attraction and hangout place for walking and chilling in evening. A lot of common, and some rare water birds can be seen depending upon the season.

Nahargarh Biological park, Jaipur
This park Lies on the North of Jaipur and comprises of the hilly area around the Nahargarh and Jaigarh forts and extend till achrol. One can easily spot sambhar, spotted deer, Blue bulls, etc. If lucky, one might see a leopard. The forest area has 2-3 small water holes and lakes for bird spottings.

Jhalana Forest Reserve
Similar to Nahargarh Biological park but located on the East side of Jaipur covering the Jhalana Hills.

Now lets let the photographs do the talking.


A squirrel



A Turtle taking a stroll at Bharatpur





Indian rhinos at kaziranga, Mom I am hungry


Finally some relief


A bull chasing a female in heat



A Chameleon at Hampi





A larger cousin - Monitor Lizard



Much Larger Relative - Crocodile at Ranthambore

[stormerider]

Few clicks of the majestic tigers of Ranthambore -

Walking and stalking



Who's watching?





Feeling tired



Lets rest a bit



Chilling in water





Stalkers are not letting me bathe



Lets go

[stormerider]

Monsoon is the romantic season, and this is true when you see most of the birds in pairs, mating, nesting and raising the young ones.

A male baya weaver making nest





A pair of green bee-eaters



A pair of spotted owlets



Oriental Magpie Robin



Common Myna



Purple Sunbird



Kingfisher


Pied Kingfisher



Vultures at Jaisalmer



Egyptian Vulture in flight

[stormerider]

Cattle egret collecting branches for nest





Large egret







Little egret





Thick Knee





White breasted waterhen

[Aditya]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Travelogues Section. Thanks for sharing!

[nilanjanray]

Beautiful shots there, stormrider! Thanks for sharing.

You are lucky to stay so close to the big cats

[stormerider]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Beautiful shots there, stormrider! Thanks for sharing.

You are lucky to stay so close to the big cats

Thanks Nilanjan. It is indeed fortunate that we stay so close that we go to ranthambore and Bharatpur atleast once every month. But we have travelled to a lot of other sanctuaries also following these cats, Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Gir, Daroji, Bera, etc. to name a few.

Stay tuned for more.

[stormerider]

Lets continue with a few more clicks now.

A Dragon Fly



Snake Bird/Darter



Black headed ibis at Bharatpur


Mating - Its a scene to behold when you see these large birds mating. The sound they produce, how they flap there wings, how the male either holds the female's bill or neck.



Oriental Honey Buzzard at Ranthambore





Jungle fowl



Peacock



Flamingos at Chandlai Lake



Rose Ringed Parakeet

[deky]

Jhalana hills are amazing. I used to be a regular till sometime back and have seen a lot of wildlife there. Then the FD put restrictions and hence the visits to Jhalana have stopped.

Infact, all the hills around Jaipur has a good leopard population. Ive seen them at Jhalana, at Chulgiri and even at hills around Galta ji.

Here is one that I clicked a year back or so

[stormerider]

(Contd....)

Grey Heron




Grey Heron Mating @ Bharatpur



Purple Heron



Open billed Stork




In Flight or walking on air





Spot Billed Ducks @ Jalmahal, Jaipur







Cormorant and Black Winged Stilt @ Jalmahal, Jaipur

[stormerider]

Originally Posted by deky

Jhalana hills are amazing. I used to be a regular till sometime back and have seen a lot of wildlife there. Then the FD put restrictions and hence the visits to Jhalana have stopped.

Infact, all the hills around Jaipur has a good leopard population. Ive seen them at Jhalana, at Chulgiri and even at hills around Galta ji.

Here is one that I clicked a year back or so

Attachment 1404700

That's a great shot deky.
I know that there is a huge population of leopards around Jaipur in the hills, unfortunately didnt ever get to see one. I even went to bera in search of leopards but could only see them at a huge distance. Same is the case with ranthambore, have seen a leopard there but that too at a huge distance and could only admire with the help of binoculars.

[S2!!!]

I felt like I was going through a National Geographic website. Lovely pictures.

I'm guessing this thread could be used as a 'wildlife photography thread' too to which all BHPians could contribute their awesome clicks. What do you think?

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by deky

Jhalana hills are amazing. I used to be a regular till sometime back and have seen a lot of wildlife there. Then the FD put restrictions and hence the visits to Jhalana have stopped.

Infact, all the hills around Jaipur has a good leopard population. Ive seen them at Jhalana, at Chulgiri and even at hills around Galta ji.

Here is one that I clicked a year back or so
]

Lovely shot and pose. Daylight sighting too!

[quote=S2!!!;3780687] I'm guessing this thread could be used as a 'wildlife photography thread' too to which all BHPians could contribute their awesome clicks. /QUOTE]

As a wildlife shooter, maybe not - we don't want to dilute this thread

[M35]

I am not sure how I missed this thread.
Amazing pictures !
What I loved in all your pictures is the natural pose and expressions that you captured.
Please do make this thread alive with regular updates and additions.