Demoiselle Crane Family

Birding with close friend n family gives lots fun.its very difficult to bypass many friends when you go for birding on long distance. it hurt many friends,but need some privacy with close friend n family while we go for birding on long distance.Apologizes
we started our journey from Surat in noon around at 1.30pm of 26th Oct'16 by driving Cheetah.its about around 600km drive from south Gujarat to Western Gujarat.we reached there around at 10.30pm and Pankaj came from Patan,North Gujarat, he reached there around at 10.15pm.
we wake up around 8am and went Lakhota Lake for birding and enjoyment for our kids.As my Son and Pankaj's Princess meet 2nd time till now,both get little time for adjustment and they enjoyed lot in park.we did birding but very few birds are there.then contacted my birding friends at Jamnagar before my trip and Dhairya Jhaveri called me,he told me for birding sight. he had given one number but that person didn't came.Meanwhile Pankaj also called another person and we were lucky to have a guide cum bird watcher cum naturalist cum good human being,Krunalbhai.
Till noon we enjoyed there and returned hotel for lunch.Krunalbhai was waiting for us and went 2 places for birding but dint sighted much.
Next day we have to go at 4.30am and started our journey around at 5am.we reached there around at 6.30am with one stop for breakfast.i got my 3lifer.Around 8am we were on the way to our next destination,place name i don't know and sudden Krunalbhai told me to turn right after 500mtr and we entered at small lake.
sighted many birds there and here is another Family pic of  Demoiselle Crane

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/4000 || ISO 1250 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200K
Jamnagar outskirt, Gujarat

Little Heron

i had planned to visit Nal Sarovar with my close friend Dr.Pankaj on 14/04/16,my another friend Hiren Joshi also joined me from Surat.
Hiren came from Bardoli to Surat around at 4 pm and we went to Ahmedabad in my car. After drive of 300+km we reach at Hotel Stay inn,Changodar, Ahmedabad outskirt around at 11.30pm.did check in and after fresh, we went for sleep coz we have to wake up at 5am n have to drive aprx 70km.
Wake up around at 5am an after refresh we were on the way towards Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary.due to traffic we reach around at 6.30am,we meet Pankaj there n with our favorite guide Akbar & Latif we went inside the lake after paying entry fee n camera fee.
we had clicked more than 300 photos till noon and took break for lunch.while we were taking lunch,we ha decided to go 20-30km for Red-necked Falcon.as m so much exhausted, having so much headache but for my friends,i went. i had avoid to click some good shot coz it was very hot climate and we have to walk 1+km.then we were on the way to return so i took some sleep n feel fresh.
Even after sleep and some lemon water,feel little headache.Akbar told us to go at one place we can click common kingfisher,it was around 4.30pm and sudden we saw Little Heron aka Striated Heron.i had clicked flying shots and got only one clear shot.my friends went towards it and i was sitting there due to extreme exhausts and again it gives me a 3flying shots.
during my whole trip,i did manual mode and most of shots are little soft due to shutter speed set as 1/1000.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 640 || 350mm || White Balance : 5200k
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Ahmadabad,Gujarat

White-naped Woodpecker

Dr.Pragnesh Patel is friend since we were in MBBS at Baroda and now we are birding friend too.i had clicked Malabar Trogon male and Female last year,since that time i was failed to fulfill his dream to click Malabar Trogon.
Malabar Trogon sighted in Vansda National Park during Summer and This Year some birders had clicked so again Pragnesh tried to click it there.He went alone on 23/04/17 and he sighted but missed to click.don't know what but luck or whatever,he called me and i was ready as promised last year.
i was at Vansda with my close friend Viren Desai from Bardoli,he came with his son Ansh,he is 15yrs old n he also do birding.we reached at our regular meeting point of one hotel around at 6.20am after drive of 140km.ordered a tea,while tea was ready n come on our table Pragnesh Came from Silvasa.
After drinking our tea,we were on the way to vansda National Park,which was 15km away from Vansda.did our entry and Pragnesh parked his Ciaz then ready our camera with proper settings.Dawn all Window glass of my XUV500 and our journey began.i was driving,
Viren was beside me,Pragnesh was back seat of Viru and Ansh was on back seat of me.we were talking regarding  future birding n we all saw one woodpecker crossed us and i told "i have shot White-naped Woodpecker in single frame but that time i was newbie in wildlife and i have 600D,also didn't know the proper settings so that shot was full of noise n soft." so i want a good shot of it.
we had driven approx of 1.5km and Pragnesh sighted a Woodpecker, told me to stop the cheetah so i did.he was unable to sight it due to it was on top of tall tree and it was hiding behind the leaf,so Pragnesh told me to Reverse the car,again i did,still result was same so Pragnesh n Viren came out of car n trying to focus it.after 1+min both got succeed in click but failed to id it coz of side poss n i told for Lesser Flamback so sit in car and we can go ahead while i completed my last word, Pragnesh clicked back pose n told me that"it's a White-naped Woodpecker" so i came out hurriedly n trying to focus it but failed as we were exact below the tree. so i ran at other side, from where i can see back pose of it n clicked shot but not up to my mark and it flew away.luckily not go far away from me.now i can see it clearly and called my friends.we all clicked more than 30 shots with different different angles and frame.
Here is one of the best shot out of them.

Exifs :
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/2000Sec || ISO 3200 || 600mm || White Balance : Auto 
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat

Lesser Yellownape

When you get something unexpected after your effort in real jungle,happiness is increased more than infinite.This is not a studio pic of  Ganeshgudi/Sattal or from any other location but its from Vansda National Park,where luck and timing play major role where as  light,bushes are main enemy.
We mostly manage Birding trip to specific area with close friends and my close buddies are Dr.Pankaj Maheria, Viren Desai, Hiren Joshi,Dharmesh Kadiwala,Pragnesh Patel and Abhay Naik.
As we had decided to visit Vansda National Park on 14/04/17 but on 13/04/17 we went for Night Photogrpahy, two friends Pankaj and Pragnesh didnt joined us.so went in south dang forest.story posted in Mottled Wood Owl
we reached at DK's Farm and night chit chat was on for so many future plans and time passes.we realize that we should take sleep but it was 5am so continued our talks.
Around 5.15am,old thought of mine came again n it was,i have to frame train and we at our location but we all have zoom lens so didn't succeed.around 6.30am returned to town and take a tea.Then drive towards Vansda National Park.we entered in Park and waited for Pragnesh as he was coming from Silvasa.He came around at 7.30am and parked his car then we all moved in my XUV.
After drive of 2km,we had sighted pair of Emerald Dove,clicked some shots and moved ahead.after drive of 1km, Pankaj Came behind us.he came from Patan and stayed at Ankleshvar.We shake hand and hug with my close buddy as we meet after 5month.
Reached our desired location n feel happy after seeing tree branches in the ground level water tanks,story was posted in Vigors's Sunbird and Brown-cheecked Fulvetta.Before we sit there we had decided to walk inside and sudden seen 2 birds were jumping on tree.without delay focus n boom,they were Lesser Yellownape.i was so happy coz while we stop at one location for Rosy Minivet and Abhay had clicked it but we all missed it.
When you have best gear and light was perfect,you always get best shot.Here is one of best shot from my last trip.

Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark4 + Canon 100-400 L IS2 USM with 1.4 TC
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/800Sec || ISO 3200 || 476mm || White Balance : Ambience priority 
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat

Orange-headed Thrush

Story line posted in Vigors's Sunbird and Brown-cheecked Fulvetta and we were take a position near ground level water tank.we knew that birds were come to drink water and as expected they came.
we had taken so many photos and enjoyed there movement without disturbing them.
here is the best pic,one of them

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode Mode
f /5.6 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat

Mottled Wood Owl

it was a great pleasure to meet with birding friend and went for photography in night.after long time, approx after 1year i said yes to gone for photography in night so made a plan to meet on 13th April 2017 at Bardoli.
Before 13th April only Dharmesh Kadiwala(DK) and Hiren Joshi(HJ) was in as we sighted Oriental Scops Owl on 16/02/17 in Bardoli outskirt but Viren Desai is my close friend and i forced  him to come with us.Due to his busy schedule on 13th and 14th he refused to join. around at 2pm he called me to join but only if we went after 5.30pm and i said yes. we meet his home Bardoli at 5pm.
DK and HJ went in DK's Duster and We(myself,Viru and Abhay Naik) in my XUV 500.we were in 2 car just because of we also wanna do birding in Vansda National Park on 14th and DK was not doing Birding.
After drive of 2+hour mean  5.30pm to 7.45pm,we reached at DK's farm near to Vansda National Park.we get refreshed,checked n ready our equipment like camera setting, 3 external lights and we were in the DK's Duster then we did our Dinner till  9pm.
we were in search for Leopard,Hyna,Rusty-spotted Cat and jungle cat so we had explored south dang mountain area from ahwa to saputara but find only jungle cat till 11.50pm.in between we lost our road n decided to return n on the way.3 exteranl light were projecting on both side of car mean one was at HJ's hand,one was in Abhay's Hand and one was in my hand.sudden some big winged bird crossed the road and we stopped,focused light on it get wow feeling coz it was a Mottled Wood Owl.sudden picked camera n clicked 3-4 shot.owl was disturbed as at 1st we pour light on it (while we were searching) so it flew but not went far so we also moved little in car and took shots with steady hand coz our car was on and the most images which i took previously were soft.
here is one of them.

Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark4
Manual Mode
f /5.6 || Shutter speed 1/30Sec || ISO 6400 || 371mm || White Balance : Auto || External Flashlight used
South Dang, Gujarat

Vigors's Sunbird and Brown-cheecked Fulvetta

During our visit of Vansda National Park on 18/03/17,we had observed that water level went down in ground level water tanks and birds are unable to drink water so my team(Hiren Joshi Viren Bachu Desai n myself) had thought to put tree branches in the tank. we searched for some dried, broken tree branches and put in the ground level water tank so bird can sit on it n drink water easily.even then thought that many animal also came there to drink water so this activity should be repeat after interval of days so we went Ahwa to meet our Dept Conservative of Forest,dang(North & south division) Dhiraj Mittal sir and Anand Kumar sir.we had talked with both DCF and agreed for our act and call RFO and do as we talked.Thankful to both DCF sir of Dang coz they always listen like a friend and act.

we again visited there on 14/03/17 and i am so much happy that my team had think for birds during summer as water level down in ground level water tanks (as everyone think but didn't seen,may be m wrong) and it worked mean we had seen many tree branches in the ground level water tank.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/800 || ISO 640 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Vansda National Park, Navsari, Gujarat

Grey Junglefawl

As a family trip for celebration of mine Anniversary,story posted in Tiger with Macaque kill we were in jungle of Kabini in evening Safari and clicked Tiger with Macaque kill.Then we had entered inside the jungle and seen many Grey Junglefawl but our target was big cat and ignored clicking.Primaryli i am a birder and not a single click i did so i told our guide cum Naturalist mr.Prasnna that pl stop the vehicle when you sight junglefawl in open perch.
and here is the pic

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/750 || ISO 1600 || 600mm || White Balance : Daylight
Kabini, Karnataka

Spotted Crake

i am very Thankful to Proff.Pravinbhai Patel for told me to take a chance for Photography of Elusive Species , Spotted Crake.He had sighted this beauty on 13/03/17 and we were going daily from 18/03/17 but as told its Elusive means very difficult to spot due to very shy in nature and came out in early morning and late evening.
As mentioned above we went there with Proff.Pravinbhai,Proff.Anilbhai Bhat, Mukesh Bhat and my friend Anil Bhardwaj who is a joint comm.income tax Surat.we all met there at 5.45am and wait for this beauty till 10am.This session continued for more than 15days and clicked more than 200 shots but we are not satisfied with our shots due to didn't got a good shot in open perch(only Proff.Pravinbhai have 2-3 shots in open perch).Though we are Happy coz we have Photos of Elusive one.
Even this photo had some shadows of bushes over face n body but managed to remove them and make it clear shot,thanks to Photoshop.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1000 || ISO 2500 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt,Gujarat

Little Ringed Plover

Everyone had a holiday on 13/03/17 due to Holi but i have to go hospital in noon so avoided to go on birding with my friends Pragnesh Patel n Viren Desai but decided to go coz Pragnesh was came from SIlvasa to Surat (aprx 150+km) and Viren came from Bardoli to Surat(aprx 50+km)
1st we went at Khajod Dumping Site around at 7am and clicked Red-necked Falcon, we were there till 10am and decided to return as i was 25+km away from home but then decided to go at my favorite birding spot Tena Wetland.it was about to dry and we approached inside the wetland mostly in the middle of it n sit there but nothing clicked except some good shot of Little Ringed Plover.around at 11.30am i told to return and we were walking,sudden Pragnesh Sighted Little Ringed Plover just 30ft away from us and then very carefully crawl n reach to 15+ft.we had waited for 20+min to come more close and the result is here.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/3200 || ISO 1250 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Surat outskirt,Gujarat

The Lion King

We were on family trip of Saurastra with my family n my cousin's family.as on 24th November we were at Gir National Park for Lion safari.it was around 2.30pm n our safari driver picked us from our resort.while we were on the way to park,rain showering was started n we all thought for full rain but finally it stops.Around 3.15pm we had entered in the park.during safari our guide told us some info n rules.I had told him for birding.
after 5mins we saw a monitor lizard, Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer. after drive of 30-40min our gypsy sudden stopped n guide shows the spotted owlet,it was just 10-15ft away from us.due to other gypsy came we moved ahead.
After 1+hr of drive we didn't seen a lion/lioness,most of returning gypsy driver had told us that they had not seen a lion/lioness.so we r lil disappointed but finger crossed for our kids.
Another 5-10mins of drive i saw a leopard n asked to stop the gypsy but while we stop, leopard walked inside,it was just 40-45ft away.its a 1st wow moment.our guide also told us that u r lucky to see.
We all were talking n our guide told to stop talking as he seen the other gypsy r stopped at a point n our guide shows us 2 Lions...yeah...1st time i saw them in jungle.

don't know why i always try to take close-up of all birds n animals.i think i missed some good photos.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2
Aperture-Priority AE Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/200 || ISO 2000 || 600mm || White Balance : 5200k
Sasan Gir, Junagadh, Gujarat