[robimahanta]

It’s been a long since I visited the “Little Rann of Kutch” (LRK) for birding.

A link to my last trips in 2010 and 2013.
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...tologue-3.html (The Little Rann of Kutch-Gujarat is everything but little: Photologue)

I had couple of days off and when a good nature photographer friend of mine pinged me to join him in a trip to LRK, I couldn’t resist.

Caught an early morning flight to Ahmedabad and as usual drove the GTI to the airport and left it at the long term parking.



After a 2hr drive from Ahmedabad airport, we checked into our resort near the fringes of the “Wild Ass Sanctuary”.



A quick lunch and we were out in the rickety Mahindra Thar Di’s for an afternoon session in LRK. Over the last few years, the migratory bird numbers have dwindled in LRK. There is definitely a lot more people and factories (salt, chemicals etc) which have come up over the last decade. In 2010, I clicked a photo of each and every bird I saw and didn’t care much about light, composition etc. This time I was a lot less trigger happy and decided to experiment a lot more. Even then I couldn’t resist clicking pictures of birds on a nice perch with a clean background but these were much less in number. This trip we dedicated time for each unique species and were not roaming around trying to see everything that LRK offers. I am happy to say that I managed to complete 5 sessions without charging the camera batteries even once during the trip. That too when using a mirrorless camera. With the extremely fast fps and amazing focus tracking it is very easy to fill memory cards with GB’s of trash which we will never process and just transfer to another storage for eternity.

Our ride for the two days


The terrain



Waiting for the sun


We packed breakfast and had it everyday at a salt workers hut. They made some amazing tea for us.



The harsh working conditions of the workers, now solar panels have replaced the diesel generators for the pumps



The salt crystals they get after the evaporation



Roaming around in Rann





Lovely hues of sunset, it is a great place for astrophotography and I am sure someone like BHPian Graaja will love it.





Gear used: iPhone 11P and Canon Mirrorless with a telephoto prime, I carried just one lens and a camera. So all the photos are with the same combo, other than the phone images.

[robimahanta]

Time for some birding,

First up, the flamingos. They are always found in large groups and is a major attraction of Rann.

Solo


Minimalistic


Two to tango




Three is company


Four of them


A larger group


Flock of flying flamingos




Striking a pose


Busy searching for food


Solo flying


Breaking the norm of negative space or walking away from the industries


Against the sun

[robimahanta]

Peregrine Falcon

The peregrine falcon is a lovely migratory bird and we saw two of them. An adult female and a juvenile.
It is known for its speed, reaching up to 200 mph during its characteristic hunting stoop. Like other bird-eating raptors, peregrine falcons are sexually dimorphic, with females being larger than males. It is amazing to see how aerodynamic the bird it. Even its nostrils have baffles to prevent its lungs from exploding during the high speed dive.

Portrait


On a typical perch


Cleaning its talons


Checking out a swift dzire


Backlit portrait


Flying away


Into the sun


Taking off like a fighter aircraft






The target, a black winged stilt


Hunt successful




Flying with the kill


Ripping it apart and eating it




The remains of a black winged stilt

[robimahanta]

Indian Wild Ass (Khur) is unique to this place and a close relative of the Tibetan Wild Ass in Ladakh (Kiang). The ones in LRK are however much fewer in number. We had a glorious sunset with a pair of them.

Khur


Wild Ass looking at the industries


Trying some mirage experitment


Couple in love


Lot of silhouettes and backlit images

[robimahanta]

Other miscellaneous birds and photography experiments

Another winter migrant, the short eared owl







Pelican ground level




Bar-Headed Goose, known for extreme altitude flying (even over Mt Everest)


Common crane but different perspectives




A monotone egret scape


Crested lark on a nice perch pattern


Glossy Ibis with all its gloss in the morning light


Grey heron typical pose


Desert Wheatear portrait (loved the light and background)


Green Shank synchrony


Plover in early morning light


Some tern action


Harrier vertical takeoff


Sandgrouse family


Eastern Imperial Eagle


Steppe Eagle Portrait


Taking off


Black eared kite flying towards us


Finally, did manage to see the MacQueen's Bustard. But it was just a fleeting glance and quite far off. Apparently their numbers have reduced drastically over the last few years.



Cheers!

Until next time.

[Vid6639]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[graaja]

Incredible pictures, Robi! The composition of the flamingos, wild ass, the falcon... Each and every picture is art. Looking forward to many more birding trips from you.

[megazoid]

wow wow wow. Lovely images Robi. Short eared owl being a favourite and the peregrine falcon makes me want a remap. Thanks for sharing these snaps. More power to you.

[Dr.AD]

Wow! What an amazing photologue @robimahanta! Each picture is fantastic. I also loved the captions. Precise and concise captions make this very easy and joyful to read. Thanks a lot for sharing these photos and report.

This is totally inspirational stuff. Although I do not know anything about birds or bird photography, your report makes me want to close my laptop, take my car keys and camera, and go somewhere. That is the power of your pictures.

Tough thought on this Monday. But thankfully the Friday is not too far.

Originally Posted by megazoid

the peregrine falcon makes me want a remap.

For some reasons, maybe some of our past conversations, any mention of Peregrine Falcon reminds me of your lowered white 330i. More power to you too!

[GForceEnjoyer]

Having tried my hand at photographing birds once before, I have insane respect for your skill! Those photos are simply stunning. I'm a fan of the Desert Wheatear portrait and the Harrier's vertical takeoff pictures in particular.

I thoroughly enjoyed this, hats off.

[megazoid]

Originally Posted by Dr.AD

For some reasons, maybe some of our past conversations, any mention of Peregrine Falcon reminds me of your lowered white 330i. More power to you too!

hahaha. I remember those conversations well. Have always had a fascination for that name. Anyway, Robi brought it to life with the camera. Great shots!

[haisaikat]

What a grand show of photography. Loved going through the birds, especially the group of cranes with sun down would be my best pick of the lot. Kudos, rating well deserved 5 stars

[darklord]

Superb set of photos .

Hoping to glean some information: Is there a dedicated entrance/office/gate for the sanctuary? Is there an entry fee? Are guides available for hire? Can one take a private vehicle inside the sanctuary area?

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by darklord

Superb set of photos .

Hoping to glean some information: Is there a dedicated entrance/office/gate for the sanctuary? Is there an entry fee? Are guides available for hire? Can one take a private vehicle inside the sanctuary area?

Thanks.
Yes there is a gate/entry point where the permits are checked. This can be easily arranged by the homestay/resort.

Yes most of the jeep drivers are guides too. Again the place of stay can easily arrange it.

Yes you can take your private vehicle inside but I would suggest taking a jeep with a guide if you are going there for photography. Unless of course you have something like a convertible Thar.

[fhdowntheline]

What a magnificent spectacle.The only eyesore in this are the looming industries in the background. Which telephoto lens have you used?