Story line posted in Ruddy Turnstone (Breeding Plumage) with Video of my journey to Modhava Beach.it was a great pleasure to see breeding plumage and Greater Flamingos.As i was specially for Breeding plumage of waders so avoid to click flamingos. But cudnt resist myself to click flamingos as i see good frame or close shot,i had clicked.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/8000 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Mandvi Beach, Kutch,Gujarat.
I never forget 10th April'16 coz i was with my close friend Pankaj n his family at Vansda National Park.Pankaj came from Bharuch in early morning and reach near my home around at 6.30am.we reach there around at 9am n started birding but what a bad luck we didn't get a single click of bird whole day.
we came out around at 5.30pm and he dropped me at Vansda coz my other friend Viren,Hiren,Aneeket n Dhrameshbhai was coming for night photography.we went to Dharmeshbhai's Farmhouse n taken dinner there,the taste was superb n unforgettable.around 8pm we went for a shot of train,before we reach there we met our fb friend group of Urmil,Hardik, Kiritbhai n other who were came from Jamnagar. we were getting late n went in hurry but as expected we didnt got our desire frame.
now there is no way to go for milkyway at our spot.we went there n till rising of milkyway enjoyed lot with different different types of experiments coz we have to wait till riding of milkyway n its just before 2am.
when i see the rising of milyway,its a awesome experience coz its 1st time for me.the problem came with me again,i forget the extra battery at farmhouse but friend is friend,Dharmeshbhai gave his Canon 5D Mark 3 with Samyang 14mm f/2.8 and took this superb shot.we had waited till 2.15am n see the Rising of Milkyway.
Special thanks to Dhameshbhai
Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark3 with Samyang 14mm f/2.8
Manual Mode
f /2.8 || Shutter speed 30 || ISO 3200 || 14mm || White Balance : Auto
Vansda, Navsari,Gujarat
After good morning session with my friends at fort mahadev,kutch we had decided to go at one place specially for crocodile.around 12.30pm we reached there,it was around 42degree temperature.we had searched crocodile but cudnt locate.
Hiren and Viren were busy in clicking pond heron and myself,Pankaj n Nirav were searching crocodile.sudden Viren came n told me...doctor look at this,its a pond heron or else? i was shocked coz its a Yellow Bittern.we all move there n started cliking but its a very shy bird n try to hide in bushes so went inside and then fly away.i had tried for flying shot n run towards where it gone,searched for 10-15min but failed so again came back in tree shadow.
Nirav told us that tree has a habitat of Spotted Eagle so Viren told me to locate as he didn't clicked it till now. we moved there n searching Spotted Owlet but cudnt find.in between we had spotted babies of Yellow Bittern n we had started clicking them.
Around 1.25pm that Yellow Bittern came n sit just away from us,we were lucky to frame it in open background.even i had shoot a video.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/6000 || ISO 1250 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
i was interested to click Short-toed Snake Eagle as one my friend had clicked in our area so i told him for location n he shared on phone so i went on 31/12/15 around at 8am on bike as unable to reach thru car due narrow road.
Reached around at 8.30am but didn't seen the Short-toed Snake Eagle on a cut coconut tree where this beauty regularly sit.waited for 30-40min but it didn't come so thought to go ahead for another birds.enjoyed clicking Indian Roller,Black Drongo,Stonechat,etc n return again that place after 1hour but bad luck continued n decided to go back home.
while i was driving bike,i was looking both side of road n after drive of 1km stopped the bike as i had seen different looking bird far away from road,focused in camera but unable to identify bird coz it was more then 800mtr away.parked the bike n started walking towards it very carefully n also clicking for record shots.
at one point i reached and clicked,identified as Black-eared Kite so lil disappointed as its commoner n thought to return but its looks different mood with elevated feathers like in excited phase.so very carefully again approached for close shot n luckily it didn't fly away even i am noticed and here is result.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/500 || ISO 500 || 600mm ||5200K
Surat outskirt, Gujarat
i was on family trip to Saurastra last year end and on 24th November we were at Gir National Park for Lion safari,story posted at The Lion.
After entrance of park,we had sighted lots Spotted Deer,while i was clicking our guide told to avoid clicking as we will seen many deers in park coz our target was lion so replied "ok".after 15-20 minute,i saw a Spotted Deer (Male) sitting close to road n i asked to stop as it was awesome frame.And as expected got superb shot.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/160 || ISO 1000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Sasan Gir, Junagadh, Gujarat
On 24/05/16 i have to go at my Birth town Udvada.so get ready till 8.30am n went through my car,it was 140km away n reached around at 10.30am.as we own a large farm n still under developing for birding,even though many species came there n clicked.
Went at my birding spot in my farm but as expected didn't get any bird till 11.30pm coz it was still hot n humid there. decided to return n seen two crow were sitting closure.thought for matting of crow n very carefully approached.as they were sitting in lil darker side mean in shadow of tree n due to wind many branches came across of them so unable to focus but some how i had clicked some beautiful moments of love couple.
On 22nd November 2015 i was at Diu, while i was on Saurashtra trip with my family and in-law.we had did check in around at 12pm n took lunch then taken rest till 2.30pm.Then went to Nagoa beach for beach activity n have lots fun with kids.
Sunset was near so all were enjoying in sea water n i was framing fun in my camera.while i was taking pics of all family member n now turn to focusing on my prince,the best moment captured of my son till now.
This photo was taken at 5.32pm and everything was good but background have lots white like back-lit photo.so i had worked at least 5hour to correct background,it was 1st time for me to spent this much time for post processing of one photo.i think photo would look more beautiful if i darken the background lil more.
As Story posted at Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Close up (Male) we reached at Fort Mahadev for our next day session with our friend Nirav Pomal,we were searching Black Francolin since we reached there but we cudnt find.Even we cant seen Grey Francolin so we lil disappointed and stopped the car at one point n came out to relax.
Pankaj came with bino and searching thru bino n sudden some birds fly away,they were Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, we missed shot.after 1-2 min we decided to go further inside so i went towards my seat n sudden i saw a movement far away from us.its in bushes so we cudnt seen even thru camera n bino.i asked Nirav to we shud go there n very carefully Nirav drive his car at that point n we all shocked coz it was Jungle Bush Quail.
i was sitting at backseat n right side so unable to frame this beauty but later on we didn't came out from car so they walked towards us n went inside.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/3000 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200K Fort Mahadev, Kutch,Gujarat.
As long story posted Saker Falcon Flying Shot , we had clicked Saker falcon,Peregrine Falcon and other birds in Little Rann of Kutch.we were in the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary.we were traveled 100+km since 3pm to 6pm,our last click was of harrier n our guide Becharbhai told us u were in wild ass Sanctuary n u must click Indian Wild Ass with Sunset so be fast n sit in jeep.we went at one point from where we can see Indian Wild Ass were going n Sun was set behind them.even watching them is pleasant experience.
As at first avoid to click but tried one click n its superb so run myself to frame group of wild ass.sit on ground set my camera on tripod n waited for shot.click...click...click but Sun was lil above them so again run to frame them after 500+mtr from our jeep find the best place n click...click...click.now got good result.
This Shot was clicked at 6:30pm.its a first try of sunset photo n in hurry forget to change the camera setting.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 2000 || 150mm || White Balance : 5200k
Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
Awesome story line posted in Ruddy Turnstone (Breeding Plumage) with Video of my journey to Modhava Beach.all Credits goes to my frnd Dilipsinh Chudasama & Nirav Pomal who came with us from his busy schedule n we got un-believable frames of Breeading Plumage of Waders.
we reached on beach around at 6.40am after drive of 10km n parked car then walked inside towards sea,i think we had walked 1-2km in sea sand.it was very pleasant morning with cool sound of ocean waves.even there were no human except we.
finally we find the birds n moved towards them,after walking some steps we all crawl to go further closure to them n we succeed.it was my 1st experience of crawling in sand n sea water,we all were wet with sea water.somehow we had managed to avoid our camera from wet.
After crawling here to there we had clicked this image around at 8.15am.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/6000 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Mandvi Beach, Kutch,Gujarat.
It was 11th April'15 n i saw pics of Flamingos on my friend
Dr.Divyang Dave's Facebook update, so i msg him for location. He is very
kind person n guide me for location. i am very thankful to
Dr.Divyangbhai Dave.The place is just 10-15km away from my house so i
was excited to see them with my eyes n wanna frame.
That day was
last day of my prince's exam so we were in movie and came home at around
at 1am even though i wake around 7.30am,get in hurry to go there and
reached around there aprx 8.15am.
when i had seen flamingos 1st
time from far away i was so excited n started taking pics with going
towards them but my bad luck was started. a Raptor was on hunt n all
Flamingos fly away.i thought,i have a time to approach inside where
flamingos would come so moved inside.after waiting of 30-40min they
again came but far away from me n this time it was very bad situation,i
cudn't go further inside to them coz there was tide came in river n
every where was wet n mud but some how i managed to go lil closure and
again started clicking.got some good shots but after 10-15min that
Raptor again came for hunt n all flamingos fly away so far.
i was very disappointed coz didn't took close up shots.Returned home n thought to will go again there for best shots.
As
per plan i had decided to go there again after of 2 days mean on 14th
April'15.Thought to wake up at 7.30am but due to subconscious mind
effect i wake up around at 6.30 am.Reached there before 8am and find
closet location n sit there.taken few shots, flamingos are coming
towards me but sudden they turn back and going away from me, i was
surprised that why this happen!!!,i saw some photographers are taking
shots in standing, handheld n they are going towards these flamingos so
these wildlife Photographers been noticed by Flamingos n went
back....some fly away.My mood was upset n much anger. i had waited n
waited for long time but Flamingos didn't came n did time pass with taking
photos of mud-skipper,pond heron etc. After 2 hours+ of waiting they
again came n got good shots of flamingos in group n single flamingo,even
recorded videos.
Exifs :
Canon 600D
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /18 || Shutter speed 1/800 || ISO 640
Tamron 150-600mm Surat, Gujarat.
Morning session was excellent for us during i was at Modhava beach.As expected for breeding plumage, we get excellent clicks.the time was going n sunlight was started to burn us around at 9am so we decided to try for another 30-40min n moved further inside.
as i was exhausted so i was walking slower then my other friends n i see them taking snaps of western Reef Egret n intermediate Egret,while i reach there my frnd Pankaj told me its a white morph of Western Reef Egret so myself also lying down on ground n i was so happy that i had clicked Western Reef Egret Black Morph and White Morph (Breeding Plumage) in a single frame.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /13 || Shutter speed 1/1500 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Mandvi Beach, Kutch,Gujarat.
We went again at Modhava Beach around at 3pm on 30/04/16 for frame Flamingos with Sunset.but our bad luck was there.The sun was playing hide n seek in the clouds n falmingos were also fly away so i was lil disappointed coz we went there for this moment n traveled aprx 700km n we lost moments.
But thanks to our friend Nirav Pomal who told us to frame crab known as Horn-eyed Ghost Crab, scientific name is Ocypode brevicornis.at first i had avoided to click but Nirav,Pankaj and Hiren were lying down on ground so i haven't choice to do other coz there were no birds.there were many crabs and we were very close to each other so myself moved at other side n clicked some good shots then seen big crab n moved at that side,lying down myself n very carefully crawl till better view for photo and video.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /5.6 || Shutter speed 1/1500 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200K
Modhava Beach, Mandvi , Kutch,Gujarat.
These are usually on sandy beach near or above the high water mark. It is said that when tunneling out their burrow, the crab carry sand to about 50-100 cm away from the burrow entrance, then toss the sand as far as it can. This behaviour probably explains the typical "spray" pattern of sand around the burrow. The burrow can be quite deep.
Body width 6-8cm. Body squarish box-like. Usually bluish grey with brown markings on the back, often in the shape of an "H". But a variety of other patterns also seen. Pincers long, downward pointing often with white or pale claws. Has a vertical ridge on the inside of the 'palm' that produces a rasping sound when rubbed against the rough surface of the face. This is probably done to declare their territory. Legs long with pointed tips. Large eyes on short stalks which can fold away into grooves on the body when the crab burrows into the sand. Adult crabs have a characteristic tall skinny point or 'horn' on top of each eye (called the stylophthalmous), usually darker in colour. The horn is shorter in females and absent in juveniles (2.5cm or smaller). A study found that juveniles can change their body colour and pattern to match the surrounding sand, usually becoming lighter during the day and darker at night.
Ghost crabs are well adapted for life out of water and are among the few marine creatures that roam the beaches at low tide, particularly at night. They run rapidly on the sand and can burrow quickly into wet sand. They can stay for a long time away from the sea because they can absorb water from the wet sand through special hairs on the base of their legs by capillary action.
Ghost crabs can really run fast! As suggested by their scientific name ("Ocy" means swift and "podi" foot in Greek). They literally fly over the sand and their movement has been described as a small leaf blowing over the sand surface. In fact, they may be among the fastest land creatures, moving at 100 bodylengths per second. In comparison, the cockroach does 50 bodylengths while the cheetah does a sluggish 10 bodylengths. Ghost crabs are only beaten by tiger beetles which do 171 body lengths when they are really scared. Being fast moving creatures, Ghost crabs have excellent eyesight to see where they are going. So, if a ghost crab was of comparable size, they’d be running at something close to 340 and 530 Km/h!
Same as Human they are also right n left hand sided mean if it have big claw on right hand side then it is a right handed.
They make small mountain to attract the female for mating,i was lucky to film the making of this mountain.they are Nature's Architect.
When you got un-expected thing,your happiness goes high n high.me n my frnd Hiren Joshi was searching birds out side the national park as hear that bird activity was sighted outside the park.but due to we were late,we didn't got good shot even we sighted woodpecker,oriole,shama etc.
After 30-40min of driving we decided to return n at one tree we stopped to drink a water.we both came out side the car n looking here n there again as usual but same result...no bird activity.suddenly i see a nest of spider n its different type so we both went closure n sit near to nest,its wow feeling came when Hiren told its Funnel Web Spider Nest.Hiren told me that if spider is hungry then it came out when wind come n swing its nest so be ready.
i went towards car n changed my bazooka to 50mm f/1.8 n get focused at nest.luckily after 5+min of wait it came out n clicked continuously but it went inside.while i had seen in my camera's lcd,got only one shot where Funnel Web Spider was framed.in other 2 shot only nest...very quick. taken at f/8 but if i had increased f number then image shud be more clearer...better next time.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperuture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/60 || ISO 200 || 50mm || White Balance :Daylight
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat
Again i was with my frnd Hiren Joshi at Vansda National Park on 13/05/16 for Malabar Trogon as last year seen this beauty there.we decided to go in evening session so entered after 2.30pm,clicked some rhesus monkey and then went directly towards new watch tower for woodpeckers but it was very hot so no bird activity found.
we sit there n were talking with guard who was there n waited for call but till 5pm we didn't hear any sound except Vigor's Sunbird near us.we clicked some shots n in between m suffering from severe headache as i forget to take painkiller n temperature was 40 degree with 60+% humidity, i was wet with perspiration.so removed my shirt,even my vest was wet but feeling lil chil when wind came.around 5pm we hear a calling of Grey Junglefawl so we went in our car towards call cause m much exhausted n need AC.after a drive of 700+mtr sudden i sighted this beauty n we stopped.clicked record shot,i came out for my shot but they fly away,they were 2 male n 2 female.with headache,i walked 500+mtr to click my 1st sexiest encounter with Malabar Trogon (Male).lil bit succeed but due to handheld image was not upto my mark.still happy to frame clean shot of Malabar Trogon (Male) at Vansda National Park.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperuture-Priority AE Mode
f /13 || Shutter speed 1/350 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance :Daylight
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat
Watching Greater Flamingos at beach side is a pleasant experience.i was at Modhva beach near Mandvi,Kutch on 30/04/16 for Breeding Plumage of Waders.we reached at beach around 7am with my friends.read a full story at Ruddy Turnstone (Breeding Plumage) with video
i had mentioned as i was specially there for breeding plumage but seen 500-1000 Greater Flamingos there n cudnt stop myself to frame them.as i had avoid to approach closer them but happy with some clicks.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/8000 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Mandvi Beach, Kutch,Gujarat.
yesterday i had posted story in Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Close-up (Male) and promised for male n female in single frame with video,m posting today.also see spikes besides Sandgrouse,give much pain while pricked.during crawling i thought for grass or else but realize i was wrong after experienced pain of this spike.
female is little softer in this frame,tried with different setting but unable to get sharp pic as i was 10ft away of both beauty.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /13 || Shutter speed 1/500 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200K Fort Mahadev, Kutch,Gujarat.
Before our trip to Mandvi,myself and Pankaj decided to go GRK for
Great indian Bustard but our friend Dilipsinh told that we can sight
only Great indian Bustard at GRK n other sighting will rare so we
postponed our trip of GRK for next time n went to Fort Mahadev
Again we wake up early aprx around 5am n check out from our hotel,started journey towards Fort Mahadev.we
stopped at one village n take tea n breakfast.we reached at Nakhatrana
where our another friend Nirav Pomal was waiting n then went to Fort Mahadev. we parked Elantra coz its ground clearance was low n went in Nirav's Car.our target was for Black Francolin,we were late.
after all we got good shots of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Male and Female, Jungle Bush Quail.
We further went inside for Black Francolin but its Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse day n sighted 4.we moved back n roaming in car here n there.it was around 10am n thought to return,sudden i see black color type bird shape n thought for Black Francolin so asked Nirav to stop the car n focused but it was a stone,we laughed.while i was looking around seen Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse female and we moved there in our car,even we made circle around this Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse in our car.from some distance we stopped n came out,started crawling towards it.while we approached to close n closure we stopped coz there was a male too...what a strange coz its so camouflage n our car might passed very close to this male n it didn't fly away.
Tomorrow i will post male and female close shot in one frame with video.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/500 || ISO 200 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200K Fort Mahadev, Kutch,Gujarat.
As a story posted White-rumped Vulture(Juvenile) we reached at Bhuj and did some shopping then took dinner there n went our destination,reached around at 11pm.did check in,get fresh n sleep around at 1am.
wake up around at 5am n get ready to go,waiting for our friend Dilipsinh as he was coming from Mundra.he came around at 6.30am n on the way for Mission Waders of Mandvi beach.
within 30min we reached there,virenbhai parked car n all ready for go inside the beach.we had walked 1-2km for our mission n seen beauties there,it was pleasant feeling to see breeding plumage with greater flamingos.
we walked further inside n Dilipsinh started crawl,so Pankaj n Hiren aso did same.i feel lil awkward as didn't do crawl in sand plus sea water even fear to enter dust n water inside the lens but for good photos i have to do.so even started same.at first clicked sand plover and grey plover,the result was extraordinary and unbelievable.
my self n Hiren was crawling at lil away from Pankaj n Dilipsinh and sudden seen Ruddy Turnstone.i had started crawl towards it n result is here.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/6000 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Mandvi Beach, Kutch,Gujarat.
Since Many days myself n my friend Dr.Pankaj had planned trip for Breeding Plumage of waders at Mandvi,Kutch.so i ahd talked with my another friend Dilipsinh Chudashama n Nirav Pomal who were residing at there n both them asked to come on month end so our trip date was fixed on 30/4/16.
Around 4am i woke up on 29th April n after getting fresh n tea with breakfast made by my sweetheart,started driving around at 4.40am towards Bardoli to meet my another friend Viren Desai n Hiren Joshi.reached there around at 5.20am n parked my car at Viren's home then we went in Viren's Elantra towards Ahmadabad.
we reached Ahmadabad around at 11am n picked up Pankaj. now we were on the way towards Bhuj,we thought for non-stop drive.after 1.30hr of drive Pankaj sighted bird flying n thought for vulture n i targeted my bazooka towards it,Pankaj was right.its a White-rumped Vulture,but it was so far away from us so we moved but within 10 second another vultue sighted now Viren park car road side n clicked some shots.then Pankaj told we were 50km away from one village n if u wanna click then we should go there for close shot,i told that it was mine 1st sighting n we came from 600+km for waders but also click other birds too.so all agree n we went a village near Dhangadhra,dist Surendranagar.
it was very hot climate but we were excited to click lifer.Pankaj told me the location but we cudnt find any vulture there so we moved ahead.i seen nest there n looking up on the tree n happiness came in my eye.it was a White-rumped Vulture Juvenile as id confirmed by Pankaj.we took some shots n seen another two Juvenile there.
we had waited for 30+min for adult to came there to feed Juvenile but they didnt came n we were getting late so we moved on the tack of Bhuj.
Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/180 || ISO 400 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Dhangadra outskirt, Surendranagar,Gujarat.
while we are in the car,accidentally i noticed the temperature display on dashboard which showing outside of car n shocked coz it was 46 degree Celsius.
