European Roller

i like Monsoon season for photography due to greenery everywhere but cloudy weather give dull color n sometimes background worsen the image.
usually i prefer morning time for birding but on 6th September'15 i was on morning shift n went around at 3pm on my favorite route for birding.
Sighted many birds n around at 5pm on the way to home.sudden stop my car n went reverse on the road coz,European Roller was siting on a Electric wire n just close to road,even road was lil higher so thought for good shot.parked my car lil away from it n came out.very carefully approached towards it n got this shot.
this shot been even better if background color is other than white,even i don't know how to change it.

----: exifs :----
Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/320 || ISO 400 ||
Surat, Gujarat

The Reflection

Sometimes when you don't get birds while you are on birding,look around n do other than birding.i was on May vacation at my home town,Udvada.which is the Parsi's holy place.
i was looking birds on beach of Udvada n get nothing other than Sand Plover.so after one hour of waiting for birds on beach,decided to return home as it was 11am.i had seen some crabs were running inside their burrow very quickly as i pass even lil away from them.
i had ignored but at point the water is very clear n one Crab didn't run so very carefully approach to it and click only 2shot as i don't wanna click it.yesterday when i was looking my old pics n seen this amazing reflection so sharing it.

----: exifs :----
Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 500 
Udvada, Gujarat.

Indian Pond Heron

i was on mission on Lesser Flamingos on 14/04/15.i had clicked many flamingos with all types of angles.even clicked Indian Pond Heron with catch.Again i was looking for good shot of Indian Pond Heron n got this shot.

 ----: exifs :----

Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/800 || ISO 150 
Surat, Gujarat

Green Imperial Pigeon

On 22/01/16 After check in at Neil island hotel just close to beach,we get refresh n then took lunch around at 2.30pm. Now Time for exploration so take my Camera n get ready,My Friend Dr.Jayesh also asked to come with me so we both went towards beach side.
Walking of 100+mtr,hear a sound n try to locate but failed as trees are very high n green so birds cant seen easily.so we moved ahead,after walking of 50+mtr seen one bird fly away above us n sit on a branch. focused on it n got jackpot, its a Green Imperial Pigeon.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/3200 || ISO 2000 || 150mm || White Balance : 5200k
Neil island,Andaman, India.

Barn Owl

You will be more happy when you sight accidentally which is in your wishlist.Same thing happen when we were returning from Shoolpaneshwar to home and we sighted Indian Grey Hornbill,so i had stopped the car n came to click them.we got record shots.
i was still go inside n Vijayendrabhai called me in very law voice, who is 100mtr away from me.So i went there n asked,what??? he saw the location from n told there must be an owl.so i clicked from far for id n when see in cam's display we were excited coz it was Barn Owl.
we approached very carefully coz it was partial sleeping in burrow of a tree.But we noticed n fly from burrow n sit on a tree.Luckily we got good shots.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /16|| Shutter speed 1/180 || ISO 800 || 150mm || White Balance : 5200k
Shoolpaneshwar ,Narmada, Gujarat.

Kid Tribe of Shoolpaneshwar

Starting with Best picture of my birding trip to Shoolpaneshwar.it was planned 15days before with my friend Pargnesh as he is coming for 2days family get-together but i was not ready to go any where.due to festive season leave problem but my leave was confirmed n i asked to Pragnesh for birding and he also talked with my other friend Vijayendrabhai,he was also ready.we were 3 n Vijayendrabhai talked with Dr.Hiteshbhai n he been also ready.now all set.
Some work on PC i sleep around at 12.15am and My alarm was set at 3.30am for 23/03/16 but Pragnesh called me at 3.20am for wake up me as he came Surat from silvasa around at 2am and didn't sleep. My wife made breakfast for us n make everything ready for me till i get ready.i left my home around at 4.05am to pick Vijayendrabhai to his home n reached there at 4.10am but Vijubhai was lil late for 10min n we reach around at 4.30am to meet Pragnesh.parked my car there n all goods to Pragnesh's car.Pragnesh told me to drive car as he wanna sleep.we were on the way to Bardoli to pick Dr.Hiteshbhai.
Our Talks were on and Pragnesh forget to sleep...lol.we reached after 5.30am at Baben near Bardoli..winning awards from Gujarat Government consecutively due to development with nature conservation made by NRIs.
we were on the way to Dediyapada,Narmada District.its 90km and we reached there around at 7am.took tea n breakfast there and after 10min we were on the way to our destination. Dr.Hiteshbhai told to call your family member coz there were no network so we all did.
we had stopped at one place, where local tribes were dancing n they had wear traditional get up.clicked 20-30 photos and we were on way to checkpoint to give entry fee.
clicked many birds from many different places till 11.30am,as we were in the car n seen group of tribe was on the road as we gave 10 Rupees as token to give entry as they took from all people who pass from road during this holi season,even they dont forced to give more than 10 rupees,they were happy.we saw a kid in traditional dress n looking so nice. we all came out to frame him and result is here.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /9.5 || Shutter speed 1/350 || ISO 800 || 150mm || White Balance : 5200k
Shoolpaneshwar ,Narmada, Gujarat.

Common Pochard

Me ,my close friend Dr.Pankaj & My friend run a whatsapp group at Gujarat level birding for sharing location n tips.After 1+yr we had decided to make a meet but due to some problems the program was postpone since many time and finally we decided a date 0n 28 feb'16 and place was at Thol Bird Sanctuary.
i had started journey around at 12.30am from Surat with my friends Virenbhai,Dharmeshbhai,Hirenbhai,Aniket & our driver. after starting of journey of 5min we were discussing from where to go and entered in wrong area. finally we came on main road toward Surat to Kamrej for National Highway.
Around 1am we reached at Kamrej NH8,the problem was not to stop, a police man stopped our car n wasted our time for 30+min,even i asked my position,even my friend told his political contact but everything gone wrong.finally settled in Indian manner.
Around 2am we reached at Ankleshwar, we stopped there for fresh n contacted our other birders who r also in their car.we talked for highway jam on River Narmada so take old highway.we crossed the Bharuch and i think we were 1km away from highway, fit in traffic jam.waited n waited for 30+min but zero movement in traffic jam.even we cant take reverse n go wrong side so we called our other friend to take a turn on wrong side.they did n crossed us.after 10min i saw there was a lil space from where car can go so talked with car owners who were before us n luckily we were on NH8 after total 50+min.
My all friends were sleeping but i didn't till we reach at our meeting point.we reached around at 8am.we were 45 friends n some them i met 1st time.we take breakfast which was sponsored by our Friend Anandbhai Verde.around 8.45am we divided in 6-8 group n went for birding.i was with my car group and other r my old birding friend Sagar n Payalben, Pankaj also added his nephew Shrey who is 16yrs old n doing good photography.
Surprisingly i met one of my in-law.at first i ignored because of don't wanna disturbed n walked away.but he came from behind shouted n we stopped,talked little n he asked for his photo,my friend Sagar did some portrait photography n we walked after 5+min.
we take stands as i sighted Darter as my target for thol was Darter n Bar-headed Goose. we took some shots but Darter was far away so we again walked ahead.while we were walking on the bank of lake we sighted a duck which i thought for Eurasian wigeon so take a position again n waited for 5min luckily it comes towards us lil n take this photo.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /9 || Shutter speed 1/400 || ISO 500 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Thol,Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Red Munia Male

On 15th March'16,i had called my friend Paragbhai,we called him as Munia Master coz whenever he went for birding,he clicked Red Munia so i also wanna frame but close shot on tripod.so day was finalized on 17/03/16 n we meet at our meeting point at Vesu,i parked my car n went on his Activa around at 8am.
After 10min we reached at our destination.we hear calling of munias n searching here n there.we located but  we cant go closure coz there was an iron wire fencing.sudden one truck pass from there with too much harsh noise n fly away.
i was waiting there n Paragbhai moved,he again sighted group of Red Munia n  i walked there but same thing happened,now one old lady was shouted to take away birds from wheat crop, who is working as scarecrow with shouting....lol
Again we are on back foot. Paragbhai told me,i will take my Activa which was parked far away from us so he walked and i walked on opposite side to find Munia.after 20-30 steps i had sighted group of Red Munia,2-3 ft away from road.very carefully i walked but same story happened again,this time one car pass n blow a horn so they fly inside.
i thought its time to take position so walked fast n take a close position at iron wire fencing n withing 1-2min group came but  away from me n sit on other side of iron wire fencing.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /11 || Shutter speed 1/320 || ISO 400 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt, Gujarat.

indian Roller extreme close up

As i had posted the store on 5/3/16 that i had clicked one side of face of extreme close up of indian Roller n tought move so release my foot frm break pad.my car was little moved but this beauty still there n again stopped my car.click 2 shots then it fly away.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /16 || Shutter speed 1/400 || ISO 640 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt, Gujarat.

White-browed Wagtail

While i was on family vacation with my in-law at Somnath on 22/11/15,we had check out from our hotel.our next destination was Diu.Before we start our journey, we went to Triveni Ghat for 10-15min.we were doing mobile photography and took some family portraits in my other dslr.i seen this Wagtail,just 20+ft away from me.i had ignored 1st time coz thought for White Wagtail n its common but don't know how i clicked 2shot.after 4month i was looking my old photos n shocked after seen this pic coz its a White-browed Wagtail.i missed good close up shots.
don't avoid to click any bird even if you had clicked in past...lol

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/3200 || ISO 1000 || 600mm
Somnath, Gujarat

Indian Pitta

After 1month of Yes/No for birding of Indian Pitta, finally i was at Hingolgadh on 11th July'15. on 10th July, i went from Surat at 11.50pm by train n reach Ahmadabad at 4am. how can ppl sleep in train coz i hd tried but failed even can't sleep for a min.
my frnd Dr.Sagar picked me frm station n we r on the way to S G Higway,  before we reach there we pick Dr.Payalben. at near iscon mall we meet my close frnd Dr.Pankaj n Viralben n started journey,it was amazing morning trip.
we reach Hingolgadh around at 8.20am,at entrance gate while we were entering one car was reversing,Sagar was pressing horn continuously even though that car stuck with Sagar's car n made dent on front.that was very bad moment, how ppl say " forget it, i said sorry to you"...hooh..
finally we reached at camp site n searching for our hero "Indian Pitta n Asian Paradise Flycatcher" as Pankaj, Viralben n Payalben sighted last month.but till 9.30am we can't find them. we find other birds n enjoying there,sudden rain started.we met Niravbhai who is very popular in Raptors' Photography.also met with some Bird watchers, enjoyed their talks.
After Rain stopped we all moved as hear call of Drongo cuckoo n i seen it 1st time. i moved from there n sudden find Indian Pitta n gave close photos from 10-15ft distance.
After 1-2 hour of those photo session again we find n we all took sharpest images with styles.it was a amazing experience for me till now.

Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/800 || ISO 3200
Tamron 150-600mm 
Hingolgadh, Gujarat

White-bellied Drongo

While we were 2-5 km away from Zarwani Waterfall as i had mentioned that stopped my car for Minivet. i saw a very tiny bird jumping on branches of tree from far n thought for Woodpecker.i was right when i clicked 1st shot,it was a Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker.
After taking good shots of woodpecker,seen drongo like bird n focus,luckily it was a White-bellied Drongo.While i was ready to click after focus,sudden it jump down n got this beauty.
size : 24cm

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Exposure Mode
f /9 || Shutter speed 1000 || ISO 400 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k || Exposure Compensation -1/3
Zarwani , Narmada, Gujarat

Black-hooded Oriole

i was returning towards my friend Hiren around at 5pm,sudden i see Black-hooded Oriole n stopped my car,immediately came out frm car n started clicking as it was not much above.taken 3-4 shots n fly away.lil bit happy as got good shot compare to my previous click coz seen Black-hooded Oriole at very high level of tree n got lil lower level.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /10 || Shutter speed 1/250 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Vansda National Park,Navsari, Gujarat.

Jungle Owlet

Around 1pm we were going at new watch tower after lunch,and i told my friend Hiren to look outside for woodpecker.sudden Hiren told to stop,as m on speed of 10km n slowly stopped as i dont wanna disturb any bird.Hiren told to reverse car as sighted small bird,after reversing car,he saw me.i was so excited coz its a Jungle Owlet and seen 1st time.so told Hiren to down the door window glass n take pic as we were hardly 50+mtr away but noticed us n fly away.
sudden came out n told, whatever happen or time pass, we should take even a record shot.myself,Hiren n our guide went all direction to find.within 5min our guide find it.so i went there n clicked 2-3 shots.it was in very dark but managed angle n took another2-3shots,then it fly away.we again follow n find again but it was hiding in tree branches so cudnt get good shot.

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

indian Scimitar Babbler

Whenever i went Vansda National Park,sighted new species.un-expected quick plan made with my friend Hiren Joshi on 8/3/16.my phone's alarm ring at 4.45am but i sleep again as routine but my wife wake up me at 5.10am told plan cancelled??? i smiled n get ready till 5.30am n drive for Chamunda Hotel,Bardoli.Hiren came at 6.30am n we were on the way to Vansda National Park,reached at 7.30am n entered with guide Rashik.we were here n there till 12pm,got regular birds then went outside behind the park for some snacks.there was a little shop,we take some snacks n surprisingly shop owner lady make rice for us.we eat plain rice,it was from government rationing rice, amazing experience to eat with red dry local chatni but very spicy.
After 30min of break we again went inside the park n search was on till 4pm.we were sitting at small ground level pot made by park for waiting of birds but due to group Rhesus macaque were there n bird didn't came. so my friend ask to go at other side n he went with our guide while i was went inside of forest.after walking some distance again i was came on road,sudden seen a bird jumping on tree n focused on it.surprisingly it was indian Scimitar Babbler.tried to frame but due to very active cudnt got good shot.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /10 || Shutter speed 1/250 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Vansda National Park,Navsari, Gujarat.

Ashy Drongo

i was lucky to frame Grey Junglefawl on 21/02/16 at Vansda National Park with Pro.Pravinbhai,Virenbhai & Dr.Pragnesh.we moved inside after driving of 500+mtr ,we stopped at Palash tree also known as Flame of the forest as noticed many birds over it.
We came out from Car n find Golden-fronted Leafbird,Purple Sunbird,Black-hooded Oriole & Greater Racket-tailed Drongo. we tried to frame but they fly away.we moved at other side as Greater Racket-tailed Drongo.After Hide n seek of 15min we again came at that tree where it was first sighted.
Pravinbhai told us to hear calling of  Plum-headed Parakeet n we sighted.while we were clicking sudden a Black Drongo came n sit just above us.as usual myself avoid to click as its common but Pravinbhai told to see eye colour if its red then its an Ashy Drongo,so clicked 2-3 shots then it fly away.even we moved ahead.when i transferred all pics to computer, when i reached home in night n seen this pic,its wow moment coz Ashy Drongo.
so this pic is dedicated to prof.Pravinbhai.

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

Vigors's Sunbird

on 16/05/15,i was with my family trip on Don,its a mountain area of Ahwa,Gujarat on Border of Maharashtra. i just want to see this place. after returning from top of hill to down, we had stopped at one place of road side for breakfast and find a place below a tree of Palash aka Flame of the forest.
after 2+ min hear a sound of Sunbird and when i look towards Palash flowers tree, quickly picked up my camera and focused handheld n took one shot.when i saw in lcd, it was Vigors's Sunbird. so again started clicking coz it was my 1st sighting of Vigors's Sunbird, after 5+ shot i get some good shots with this flying shot. its not sharp due to handheld, little bit difficult to lift and focus on tammy for me and bird is little out of focus.
Size 11cm

Exifs :-
Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 800 || 600mm 
Don Hill Station, Ahwa, Gujarat

The Diamond Necklace

Many friends from my birding group had visited Khajod, near Surat,Gujarat.we called them LRK of Surat coz many raptors sighted there. i had wish to go there but didn't get chance since long time.one day my friend Parag Kuberkar told me to go there n day finalised for 26/2/16.
Around 7am,wake up n got ready to go but it was so foggy morning n called Paragbhai for delay. Started driving around 8am in foggy morning at speed of 5-10km n reached at our meeting point around at 8.40am,Parked my car n went on moped of Paragbhai.he told me go for just see location as too much fog,so we went but didn't sighted any bird.
Thought to Return n on the way to back with lots disappointment.after 500+mtr,i saw a bird sitting on a small tree n thought for raptor, so i asked to stop the moped n Paragbhai told its a dove.i said yes but might be a different so i walk towards it,finally its a laughing dove.again disappointment, there was a little water collection n again i saw a movement n went there.Paragbhai told what was there,i laughed n replied there might be a new species so park moped n come.
while Paragbhai came to me,i saw this The Diamond Necklace n Paragbhai speak "wow".while i was searching bird, Paragbhai was clicking this nature's creation.we clicked with different-different settings with flash.i have Tamron 150-600 so unable to get closure due to its limitation even though clicked at 150mm.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /14 || Shutter speed 1/100 || ISO 100 || 150mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt, Gujarat.

indian Roller Extreme Close up

Many friends from my birding group had visited Khajod, near Surat,Gujarat.we called them LRK of Surat coz many raptors sighted there. i had wish to go there but didn't get chance since long time.one day my friend Parag Kuberkar told me to go there n day finalised for 26/2/16.
Around 7am,wake up n got ready to go but it was so foggy morning n called Paragbhai for delay. Started driving around 8am in foggy morning at speed of 5-10km n reached at our meeting point around at 8.40am,Parked my car n went on moped of Paragbhai.he told me go for just see location as too much fog,so we went but didn't sighted any bird.
after 30-40min of driving we returned and went to Paragbhai's home,we have a coffee n shared some tips.around 10.30am i left from there n went again at Khajod area,during driving there was lil fog but when i reached there the visibility increased to 60%. clicked some photos near ground area for testing n time pass.i left from there around at 11am as sunlight was enough n entered in dumping site.after drive of 2km inside the area,i saw an indian Roller sitting just close to road n cudn't stop myself to click.

you can see my car in indian Roller's eye.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /11 || Shutter speed 1/320 || ISO 100 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt, Gujarat.