Grey Junglefawl Male

After taking photos of Ashy Wood Swallow myself, Virenbhai n Pravinbhai on the way to Vansda coz my friend Pragnesh was waiting there for Breakfast.we reached around at 8am n took breakfast.one of mine n Pragnesh's common friend Vijay also came n talked after so long time,he told to call him after finishing the trip for lunch. Then we moved towards Vansda National Park in our cars,after driving of 2+km, mine n Pravinbhai's car were parked at one point where that person knows Pravinbhai.After parking of my n Pravinbhai's car,we all set in Pragnesh's car for National Park.
We entered National Park around at 9am after processing of entry.just crossing 700+mtr we saw male Grey Junglefawl n sarted clicking as never seen before.it was with 2 female n aprx 100+mtr away in the low light area.Before we got shots they noticed us n run away inside.all shots were lil hazy at some parts of Grey Junglefawl due to they are behind the small branches n grass.so wanna clear shot of it n still in my wishlist

i wanna dedicate This beautiful image to my friend Pragnesh coz he was driving car n Grey Junglefawl was at my side so he didn't got good shot. this image credits to him coz he parked the car at a point, from where i took this beauty n it was in my wishlist.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /10 || Shutter speed 1/400 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Vansda National Park,Navsari, Gujarat.

Ashy Wood Swallow

All set for Vansda Nation Park on 21/2/16.wake up around 5am n after tea n breakfast on the way to Bardoli in my car to pick my friend Virenbhai,as per plan i have to reach Virenbhai's home at 6.15 but was delay of 10-15min n reached at 6.30 outside of his society due to one important reason.Virenbhai's son Ansh,10yrs old also die hard bird photographer n wake up at 6.30am so Virenbahi came out before he wake up.
we had seen clouds so we were going slow and we have to meet my friend Poff Pravinbhai at Anaval.we reached at 7.10am n called him to ask we were at three road near lake,Anaval and seen his car coming towards us.He told that he had located Ashy Wood Swallow n asked follow his car.i was so excited to see this bird coz it is sighted only this area of south Gujarat n i think sighted only in 2-places of Gujarat.
We parked our car beside road near canal,Proff. P C Pated told us due to cloudy we didnt get good shot but you will see lifer.we walked towards birds with taking record shots,they were only 3 in numbers at one point they sighted us n fly away,we waited behind one hut but they didnt came again as they were 500mtr away n enjoying there. so we decided to move as we have to reach Vansda at 8am.
on the way Pravinbhai was in his car n we were in my car,sudden Pravinbhai overtake my car n stopped at one point.he told to came out as we can also sight 3 Ashy Wood Swallow here,we clicked good shot with better light n also shoot a video.

Credits to this Lifer is Prof. Pravin Patel
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /10 || Shutter speed 1/800 || ISO 400 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Anaval, Gujarat.

Alexandrine Parakeet

Yesterday morning around at 9am my frnd prof. Pravinbhai called me to click Alexandrine Parakeet as i had told him 1-2month back.he told me that our friend HOD & Prof Anilbhai had clicked Alexandrine Parakeet n asking to come there,i was on duty so planned to go there next day.
wake up Around 7am n get ready to go at 7.45am.while driving n before reaching PC's home,its a 10min away from my home,i called him to get ready.he told that due to fog we have to wait n there is a open plot which open after 8.30 so we met our PC'S home n PC made a tea for me.
we reached there at 8.20 n called Anilbhai,he came but the open plot gate was still locked so we walked towards the Indian coral tree where Alexandrine Parakeets came.we clicked below the tree n sighted male-female golden Oriole in shadow so images were not up to my mark.the gate is open at 8.45am n we approached from there,now sunlight was OK.
we all get good shots even framed flying shots.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /11 || Shutter speed 1/3200 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat, Gujarat.

Red-necked Phalarope

The red-necked phalarope is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.
if m not wrong,This beauty was 1st sighted n clicked by Prof. Pravin Patel & Prof. Anil Bhatt in our area of Surat and they had shared on Facebook,so i was very excited to frame but i was unlucky coz whenever i went that area,i didn't sight. 
One day i had contacted Prof.Pravinbhai on Facebook n ask for location,they told me the area.so on 3rd November'15 i went again there but unable to locate,so i called my friend Vijayendrabhai for location n he guide me the exact area.i was there before n clicked 2-3 types of water birds. but cudn't find phalarope.i moved back to my home as it was very cloudy day n didn't succeed to sight phalarope.
i was looking my clicks on pc after transfer to pc, when i zoom one of image of sandpiper,i was shocked coz it was a phalarope. i missed good shots.i went next 1-2day but didn't sighted.

Size

Body length: 18 cm

Wingspan: 31 – 34 cm

Weight

up to 48 g

Exifs :
Canon 600D
Aperture-priority AE Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/1600 || ISO 200 || 600mm
Tena,Surat, Gujarat.

Saker Falcon

Details from Google

Male length: 45 cm

Female length: 55 cm

Male wingspan: 100 - 110 cm

Female wingspan: 120 - 130 cm

Male weight: 730 - 990 g

Female weight: 970 - 1,300 g

The saker falcon can be both highly agile and extremely fast as it hunts close to the ground , capable of diving for prey at 200 miles per hour.( source )

Read full Story here http://www.yugworld.net/2016/02/saker-falcon-flying-shot.html

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 1000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Pacific Swallow

We were very excited to travel in cruise for Havelock island.Approx 6am we reached on a jetty of Portblair.as usual i was looking for birds but due to lack of sunlight the activity of birds r very less but i find Pacific Swallow sitting.took shots from different angle.
During this photo shoot of Pacific Swallow,most of people was looking me n little laugh on me as i saw some but i ignored them coz Pacific Swallow is find only on Andaman & Nicobar island.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/50 || ISO 2000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Portblair, Andaman, India.

Dalmatian Pelican

After successful framing of Common Starling,we were returning on boat,after reaching halfway we see The Airbus A380 aka Dalmatian Pelican was sitting on a pole made in the Lake.it was a pleasant light to take this beauty so i asked to our boatman for direction n got good approach from front.
Dalmatian Pelican was looking so beautiful like as in breeding. we stopped at a safe distance n started clicking,even shot a video(will post in next post). As i noticed,Dalmatian Pelican was ready to fly so i was ready n well focused.Pelican had spread its wing n started clicking with moving my bazooka.Luckily my all 35 shots were in focus,in some photo the wings were little cut as we were close.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 250 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat.

Common Starling

Waiting of many days n post pon of great trip of Nalsarovar n LRK had started.myself, Dr.Pragnesh n Viren Desai were on way to Ahmedabad on 5th Feb'16 around at 3pm by Ciaz of Dr.Pragnesh n we reached our hotel around at 10pm.all credit to Dr.Pragnesh's Friend Shree Jaypalsinh Jadeja for instant kind help.
we have to start our journey to Nal sarovar as early as possible n before sunrise n decided to sleep before 12am but time passed in talks n discussion till 1.30am. Still Dr.Pragnesh wake up at 5am n myself at 5.15am.Around 5.30am my guide Akbarbhai call me to come at 6am but we are 40min late.
Finally we were at Nal sarovar aprox 7am.our guide told us, he have to wait for some work but his brother Latif will join us. The whole environment was change as Gujarat's Chief Minister Anandiben was coming for opening ceremony of Bird Festival in noon.
We paid for entry ticket n by one boatman n Latifbhai we were on birding.we had sighted Brown-headed Gull,Black-headed Gull, Pallas's Gull, Caspian Gull(it was confirmed after my best friend Dr.Pankaj told me for different type of Gull,looking like Pallas's Gull ), Pelican, White-tailed Lapwing but i was waiting for main part mean Common Starling.
As its name Common Starling we thought its common n sighted normally but it is very uncommon.we reached at a location where they normally seen in morning time.very carefully we moved on that little island in Nal sarovar n searching Common Starling.our Guide Latifbhai sighted n we all started clicking as they are just 2 in number n before we get closure they fly away.i am little disappointed coz now they came in evening n we have to reach 3pm at LRK.Sudden Latifbhai shouted to come at other end of island as he sighted 5-6 Common Starling.He told to go in boat at that end for good use of sunlight,we were there after 5min and stated clicking.But 2nd time our luck was far away coz this time Ruddy Shelduck noticed us n they fly away so Common Starling also fly away.
Latifbhai read my expression n his eyes was on Common Starling group n told that luckily they were still at other end of island where we take photos.again we went there in boat but this time we all took many good shots n i shoot video too.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /13 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 500 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat.

Lucky to Capture Video

Peregrine Falcon

After taking shots of Saker Falcon,we moved ahead for Peregrine Falcon where it regularly sit.it was a 20+min of drive.Peregrine Falcon was siting on a small half dried tree at a bank of river Banas,where Banas river end in Little Rann of Kutch.
we stopped little away from it as we wanted to took record shot n after taking it,our guide Becharbhai got reverse of our safari n tried to park it from where we took close shots.i think it is 25ft away from it n we all take good shots n i record 3 video of this beauty.

Details from Google

Length : 34 - 58 cm

Wingspan : 80 - 120 cm

Weight : 550 - 1,500 g 

One of the fastest species in the world, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) may reach speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour (155 miles per hour) or more when diving in pursuit of prey. ( source )

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 1000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Lucky to Capture Video

Saker Falcon Flying Shot

After much awaiting finally i was at LRK aka Little Rann of Kutch on 6th of Feb'16 with Dr.Pragnesh n Viren Desai,i was much late for birding as winter birds specially raptors might went even though i was there for Peregrine Falcon.its a wild ass sanctuary.
Around 3pm we reached at Bhavna resort & Farm after morning session at Nal Sarovar. our guide Becharbhai was ready n we got refreshed n went for birding for evening session,will share those pics later.we had finished our evening session at 7pm n returned at our hotel.took dinner n went for sleep early after recharge of battery of our camera coz we were very tired n have to wake up early.
Get ready around at 5.30am n our guide Becharbhai came n told for took tea.aprox 6am we were on our exclusive safari,it was 12-15 degree cold, i forget to take my jacket n feel freezing sensation while we were on jeep coz our location was 40+km away n we were on speed of 50+.
After drive of 1hr+ Becharbhai stopped at one point n sighted Montague's Harrier,we took shots after 5min again we were on search of raptors.after 30min of drive Becharbhai again stopped n looking in Binocular at one point where he sighted Greater spotted eagle n Imperil Egale.we went there n took record shot.while we approach for closer they fly away. i asked to go towards imperial eagle n game was on....we took shot n try to approach for closure,it fly away.this game continued for 40+min then we stopped chasing imperial eagle n went inside.
while we were going towards perching site of Peregrine Falcon after drive of 10-15min,Virenbhai seen one bird flying n we went towards there,stopped far away n took record shot.Becharbhai came with indian birds n told to show for id n we all got shocked n happy coz its a Saker Falcon.its 2nd visit of Saker Falcon in LRK(as Becharbhai told),at 1st visit no one took photo n 2nd time we sighted.Becharbhai told that we try to get closure but this bird cant give good shot so we tried to approach towards this beauty.Mostly we stop n it fly away.we tried for 6-7times in 1+hr n didin't got good close shot but i got good flying shot from front n side.

Special edit : we were 3rd to frame this beauty as my friend Vivek Mansata told,Thanks for correction.

Details from Google

Male length: 45 cm

Female length: 55 cm

Male wingspan: 100 - 110 cm

Female wingspan: 120 - 130 cm

Male weight: 730 - 990 g

Female weight: 970 - 1,300 g

The saker falcon can be both highly agile and extremely fast as it hunts close to the ground , capable of diving for prey at 200 miles per hour.( source )

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/2000 || ISO 1000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.

Vernal Hanging Parrot

After Cruise experience Reached Havelock island around at 12pm and check in our hotel.get refresh and went Elephant island around at 1pm for Snorkeling.reached there after 15min, did snorkeling,it was amazing experience.
our boatman told that we will here till 3pm,Now what!!!.its birding time. unpack my bazooka n searching birds here n there,sudden hear little bird chirping n fly above me.its green in color n small in size.thought to avoid, might be a bee eater but when i focus its a wow moment coz it was a Vernal Hanging Parrot.clicked 2-3 shots n fly away.shots were not clear as taken towards sun.
Started walking along beach side,after walking 500+mtr, seen Foreigner Beauties were taking Sunbath,ignored n walk ahead.at one point one big tree was on my way,crossed after climbing n sudden hear chirping of  some birds. they were minivet couple.took good shots.while i was clicking,one beautiful girl came n asked me that are you taking photos of Minivet? i was shocked,how she know. so i asked him "Yes". we had talked lil n she moved ahead.
i thought to walk further but After a few seconds again hear chirping of Vernal Hanging Parrot.Now everything was best for photography so very carefully moved towards this Parrot n took some photos n Video.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/6400 || ISO 2000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Elephant island,Andaman

 taken this video handheld so lil shaky

Pacific Reef Egret

We had reached Neil island around at 12pm on 23rd January'16. 1st we went old bridge named as hawrah bridge,it is made in british rule time n which is 400+yrs old.then went to our hotel n get refresh n took lunch.
Around at 2pm decided to go for birding on beach side n went with my friend Dr.Jayesh Kanani.Before we reach at beach, hear many bird call n searched to locate but trees are much taller so didnt got good shots of Imperial Pigeon, Hill myna,Plum-headed Parakeet etc. then we reached at beach n decided to walk along sea side area.
Got Brown-backed Needletail,White-bellied Sea eagle but not get good shot coz they are much flying much higher level. then my friend got tired so myself went alone n got Oriental white eye,Collared Kingfisher,Sand Plover.while i was clicking kingfisher sudden seen one egret was flying towards me n cudnt stop myself to frame it.the reason to frame egret is Pacific Reef Egret coz it was only found in Andaman region.due to shadow among 5-6 shot this photo was lil up to my mark.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-priority AE Mode
f /10 || Shutter speed 1/3200 || ISO 2000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Neil island,Andaman

Pied Imperial Pigeon

Before Andaman trip i made list of birds found in Andaman,it was more than 100 and i was so excited to frame those birds coz it was 9days trip n thought to cover at least 50+ birds species.But after reaching there the scenario was extremely changed coz birding was so difficult there.
Got one Guide there but charges was so high and we cudn't find bird normally there,even didn't see normal birds normally at sea side, trees are much higher so very hard to locate them, even u cant go inside the forest alone coz there was no network to contact.
10am on a 2nd day at Port blair, we 1st went to North Bay for Scuba diving,after scuba went sea side to find birds but got only sand piper n then went towards Lighthouse.i have time limit of 1hr.even i found chestnut-headed Bee eater then went to Ross island coz Ross island is closed at 3pm and we have only 1.30hr to visit this island.
i was walking with looking up but didn't find even after 20min,then sudden seen orange-headed thrush,which was hardly 20ft away from me, got good shots n moved ahead. little neck pain started coz i was continuously looking since 30-40min. sudden some one white bird fly away from one tree to another.i was searching n even walked fast n locate them.clicked continuously as one of pigeon was flying so got higher shutter but they were at very high level of branch so shots were not clear but got in pair.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1600 || ISO 1000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Ross island,Andaman