YuGWoRLD

World Sparrows Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 14:19:00 +0000

World Sparrow Day is celebrated or observed annually on March 20. it is a day to raise awareness of the protection of sparrows. World Sparrow Day is an initiative started by the Nature Forever Society of India founded by Mohammed Dilawar, A conservationist along with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation of France and many other organizations around the world. And has since then become an important global event.

The house sparrow, which is also known as the common sparrow, is a small bird that is found all over the world. However, its population has been declining in recent years due to various factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and the use of pesticides. The purpose of World Sparrow Day is to draw attention to this issue and to encourage people to take action to protect these birds.

Male

Female

On World Sparrow Day, various activities are organized to create awareness about the conservation of sparrows. This includes birdwatching events, talks and presentations on the importance of sparrows, and initiatives to create habitats for these birds. Schools and educational institutions also organize events to educate children about the importance of birds in our ecosystem.

Times magazine declared Mohammed Dilawar one of the 30 “Heroes of the Environment” in the list of the most influential environmentalists in the world on October 2008

Mohammed Dilawar started his work of helping the house sparrow with the campaign to provide special care for house Sparrows in Nashik thus 1st World Sparrows Day was organized on 20th March 2010 and this awareness of the house sparrow becoming the state bird of Delhi in 2012 by Chief Minister Sheila Dixit.

Postal stamp of House Sparrow was released by India Post in 2012

photo credit : https://www.collectorbazar.com/item/2010-india-stamps-pigeon-sparrow-2v-set-19253-s-85173

Many countries like Bangladesh, Maldives, Canada, Belarus, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Moldova, Belgium, Kyrgyz, Malawi, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Denmark, etc

In India there been 7 types of Sparrows are sighted.

1. House Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

2. Russet Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

3. Eurasian Tree Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

4. Spanish Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

5. Sind Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

6. Pale Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

7. Yellow-throated Sparrow

IUCN Red Data Status : Least Concern

The house sparrow is the most common bird in the world, but in the past few years, this bird has been on the decline stage over much of its natural range, both in the urban and rural areas. The decreasing number in the house sparrow is an indicator of the continuous degradation of the environment around us.

Theme "I Love Sparrows " and " I ❤️ Sparrows" was given in 2022.

Overall, World Sparrow Day serves as a reminder that we need to take care of our environment and protect the biodiversity of our planet. By working together, we can ensure that these small but important birds continue to thrive in our world.

The decline in the population of sparrows is a matter of concern for scientists and conservationists around the world. Sparrows are not only important for the ecosystem, but they also play a significant role in controlling the population of insects and pests that can damage crops and gardens. Furthermore, sparrows also have cultural significance and are a part of our daily lives in many ways, such as in literature, art, and even as pets.

To address the decline in sparrow populations, various initiatives have been undertaken across the globe. These include creating artificial nesting sites for sparrows, reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and creating green spaces in urban areas that can provide habitats for these birds.

Apart from conservation efforts, World Sparrow Day also aims to raise awareness about the importance of birds and biodiversity in general. This can help in promoting a culture of environmental conservation and sustainability.

In conclusion, World Sparrow Day is an important global event that highlights the need for the conservation of sparrows and other common birds. By taking steps to protect these birds, we can contribute to the health of our planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LN43v3qmL14?feature=share

The World Of Fireflies

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 09:15:00 +0000

A Plan Trip for Milky way and it's a four hrs drive from my home so departed timely in noon to reach before sunset. after reaching Ahwa, South Dang i met with my old friend Bharat Patel and he told me to go for fireflies or Milky way so i decided for my long awaited Wishlist and here is the result.

Video & Photo Taken in Sony a7r3 with Sony 50mm

Connect with me through Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dr.anand.patel/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/dr_anand Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/YuGWoRLD/ Website : https://www.yugworld.net/ Music : Relax Music Meditation

Common Hoopoe Dust Bath in SLOW MOTION

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:07:00 +0000

Common Hoopoe is the winter Migratory birds for Indian Subcontinent so comes before starting of winter. Its a Winter evening and i was searching Pipits & Larks. Sun was about to set and darkness was on its way. sudden i saw 3 Common Hoopoe and they were busy for searching their food.

i had clicked many photos of this beauty but didn't have sharp photo of spread crown of common hoopoe so get closer of it and lye down on ground to wait for moment but one of Common Hoopoe started dust bathing as its very common for many birds do in the evening and morning. so thought to frame it in slow motion and i had captured many videos, some of them were out of focus, little soft so i had compiled it. Hope you like my work. Video & Photo Taken in Sony a7r3 with Sony 200-600

Passage Migratory Birds to Gujarat

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 17:56:00 +0000

Passage Migration mean its a short time stop for passing/travelling from one place to another place. For Birds it may be a seasonal migration, pre/post breeding migration, long/short migration etc. Mainly passage migratory bird do migration for food and weather.

Passage Migratory Birds are mainly sighted in Rann of Kutch and comes between August to October. it is best time for birds because its time of post Monsoon in India, specially in Kutch there is less rain so many insects are easily available for them in these months.

There are mainly 9 Passage Migratory Birds. Photographers must plan to clicking them in once in a lifetime opportunity.

So lets talk on this Topic.

1. Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Scientific Name : Cercotrichas galactotes

Size : 15cm

Synonyms : Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, Rufous Scrub Robin, Rufous Scrub-robin, Common Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Rufous Bush Chat, Rufous Bushchat, Rufous Bush Robin, Greyish Scrub Robin, Grayish Scrub Robin, Grey-backed Scrub Robin, Gray-backed Scrub Robin, Rufous-tailed Bush Chat, Rufous Warbler

Red Data Status : Least Concern

2. European Nightjar

Scientific Name : Caprimulgus europaeus

Size : 25cm

Synonyms : Common Nightjar, Eurasian Nightjar, Goatsucker, Persian Nightjar (unwini), Hume's Nightjar (unwini)

Red Data Status : Least Concern

3. Common Whitethroat (Greater Whitethroat)

Scientific Name : Curruca communis

Size : 14cm

Synonyms : European Whitethroat, Greater Whitethroat, Indian Whitethroat

Red Data Status : Least Concern

4. Spotted Flycatcher

Scientific Name : Muscicapa striata

Size : 15cm

Synonyms : Brown-streaked Flycatcher, European Spotted Flycatcher

Red Data Status : Least Concern

5. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Scientific Name : Merops persicus

Size : 24 - 26cm

Synonyms :

Red Data Status : Least Concern

6. Eurasian Cuckoo

Scientific Name : Cuculus canorus

Size : 32 - 34cm

Synonyms : The Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Asiatic Common Cuckoo, European Cuckoo, Gray Cuckoo, Grey Cuckoo, Kamchatkan Cuckoo (telephonus)

Red Data Status : Least Concern

7. Eurasian Roller

Scientific Name : Coracias garrulus

Size : 31cm

Synonyms : Blue Roller, Eurasian Roller, Common Roller

Red Data Status : Near Threatened

8. Red-tailed Shrike

Scientific Name : Lanius phoenicuroides

Size : 16 - 17cm

Synonyms : Turkestan Shrike, Pale Red-tailed Shrike, Red-necked shrike, Rufous Shrike, Rufous-tailed Shrike, Steppe Shrike, Western Rufous-tailed Shrike

Red Data Status : Least Concern

9. Red-backed Shrike

Scientific Name : Lanius collurio

Size : 17cm

Synonyms : Red Backed Shrike, Redbacked Shrike, Red-necked shrike, Red-back Shrike, Common Shrike

Red Data Status : Least Concern

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My favorite bird guide is Mr.Vikramsinh Sodha. he is much knowledgeable person and knows the exact locations for these birds.

You can contact him thru

https://www.facebook.com/sodha.vikramsinh.75

see his premises https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4526535150712542&set=pcb.4526535457379178

You can also visit his wide collection of fossils and its a one of largest collection of fossil by a private person.

https://www.instagram.com/sodhavikramsinh/

Number : 09725339185

Horn-eyed Ghost Crab

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:28:00 +0000

5Yrs ago i went Kutch,Gujarat for birding 1st time, clicked so many birds in morning session and in the evening again went for birds but sighted less birds than morning session. So went more away from parked car and saw Horn-eyed Ghost Crabs. They were gathering sea sand and making pillers of sand to attract female for matting so i get down, crawled and took some photos. bit difficult for me to get closure and took photos coz they were moving fast and unable to focus so tried for video.

i had taken 4 videos but 2 were out of focus so merged them and also added photos. Hope you like my effort. do comment and Like

for detailed story, see my older post : https://www.yugworld.net/2016/05/horn-eyed-ghost-crab.html

Share it.

Oriental Scops Owl

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:53:00 +0000

As Posted Oriental Scops Owl Blog Post in 2016, again i feel to make a combine 2-3 clips and upload again so presenting with you with new style of post processing.

Hope You like my work, do appreciate by commenting

Rain Quail

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:23:00 +0000

During Searching of bitterns in July 2020 with my friend Dharmesh Kantahriya, we had heard call of Rain Quail and vigorously we searched for it but cudn't sighted but finally Dharmesh found the beauty in June 2021 and he called me.i was so excited to see this beauty in my area but due to covid duty cudnt managed to go.

finally i got a leave and called DK to go birding and next day 7am we were there. this beauty was giving call continuously but still we failed to see. around 8am we saw 4 Rain Quail, taken photos and videos from distance. ended our session due to harsh light. again we go next day morning and clicked good photos and videos. sharing with you, hope you like my work.

Sri Lanka Junglefowl

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 17:22:00 +0000

Hope you like this video coz didn't have time to edit, arrange photos coz having hectic & busy duty in covid management.

it was a family trip to Sri Lanka in May 2018 for 7days. During whole trip, i wake up early and went for birding outside the hotel and clicked so many endemic birds but spared one day for Sinharaja National Park also known as Sinharaja Rain Forest.

Had wishlist of so many birds but Sri Lanka Junglefowl is in Prime list because it is the one of most beautiful junglefowl sighted in Indian subcontinent. it was a long long story wrote in as Sri Lankan Junglefowl Mobile Click

Red-breasted Goose

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 17:18:00 +0000

Hope you like this video coz didn't have time to edit, arrange photos in heavy and hectic busy duty in covid management.

Its a Well planned trip, reached in midnight 3.30am After Long & night drive. we tried for sleep but didn't take a small nape of sleep. Finally reached the location before sunrise but searched it for 1hour but failed, after big disappointment, we were returning and sighted this beauty but much far away. though taken shots as it is a lifer for me. taken 4-5 shots and video from long distance, may be more than 500mtr, it flew away, but i press the click button and framed 27 shots. i was happy for flight hot but it was just for 10sec coz i forget to increase shutter speed as setting was for low light and many photos are with blurred wings, again big disappointment.

Now its very difficult to find it again in large area, though we went there and started searching and luckily sighted it after 1hr and 20 min. we were lucky coz now we can approach by crawl. started crawled and got beautiful shots and video. i had crawled more than 200mtr on wet ground due to mist so my cloth were also wet outside by mist and inside by perspiration.

Striated Heron

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:09:00 +0000

i was Searching Black-bellied Tern (uploaded in last Video) https://youtu.be/R6AvDgMN_YE and sudden i saw this beauty. i had clicked this bird 4yrs back and then didn't get chance to click it but this sighting was above expectation.

i had ignored this beauty as it was busy in search of fish.

Black bellied Tern

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 14:25:00 +0000

it's Long awaited bird since 5 years coz its endangered bird species by IUCN. As common terms in bird photography, not to share location but somehow i find it and reached there. after vigorous search i found it.

i didn't get good shots when i saw 1st time but again waited to come on river bank, little satisfied. then after 3rd flight i got burst shot and clicked 8 shots, and all are focus then after 15 min again 9 shots. Had only one video coz i forgot to shoot videos but much happy to frame it. all photos and video clicked in Sony a7r3 with Sony 200-600mm.

Desert National Park (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 13:21:00 +0000

As i posted in my last blog,it was a Family trip to Jaisalmer and plan to visit Desert National Park for one day, just to show Vultures and Great Indian Bustard to My Son & Wife.

i was with Anwar Khan Guide , Mob : 09521054392.

Read it here : Desert National Park (Part-1)

After taking Lunch we again reached DNP and the temp was about 36-38°C,there was no entry fee so liked it coz in Gujarat, you have to pay each time for entry fee, car fee and camera fee.

we were lucky to see Tawny Eagle with chicks, will make separate video on it.

Hope you like this Video of Desert National Park Part 1, i will upload Part 2 After a week so keep notified on YouTube.

All Photos and Videos were taken in Sony alpha a7r3 with Sony 200-600 lens.

Desert National Park Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 13:24:00 +0000

it was a Family trip to Jaisalmer and plan to visit Desert National Park one day, just to show Vultures and Great Indian Bustard to My Son & Wife.

We wake up around 4.30am to reach there 7.30am coz from Jaisalmer to Desert National Park is 74km. we missed sunrise but lil manage the beauty of sunrise. on 11th February, temperature was 12°C. There were 4 guides and i had hired Anwar Khan Guide , Mob : 09521054392.

Paid entry fee and we entered the park but not in fenced area coz it is only for Great Indian Bustard So we cant enter in, just we can saw the birds from outside the park. Vultures and Great Indian Bustard were inside the fenced area so its very difficult to see thru eyes but it can seen by binoculars. we had seen so many Vultures, eagle, Great Indian Bustard & other Birds.

Hope you like this Video of Desert National Park Part 1, i will upload Part 2 After a week so keep notified on YouTube.

All Photos and Videos were taken in Sony alpha a7r3 with Sony 200-600 lens

The Bold & The Beautiful Amur Falcons

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 18:33:00 +0000

it was unplanned trip of Lonavala, Maharstra for Amur Falcon on 29/12/20 and 30/12/20. Due to Busy schedule, dlayed of making video though i tried little bit on interval of 1-2 days and after 20days making premiere on 21/1/21 at 9am .

so watch it and do comments which photos you liked for my improvements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEN5jzYqoo4

Rain Quail

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 12:36:00 +0000

i had clicked this beauty in kutch but still in wishlist due to clicked in non-breeding.it breed during monsoon and many times i missed this chance.

Planned to click on 18th August and went in the morning with friends, we had searched 4 places where they had sighted but not succeed till 10.30am.

Finally saw this beauty at Last Stop and clicked desired shot at 11.45am. Tried for more but cudnt succeed.

Indian Fox Feeding her Pups

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:59:00 +0000

Many times i witnessed, i'm lucky.This incidence was happened during mine trip for Asian Dowitcher in January'19.it was long journey of 550+ km from my home and started with my best buddy Viren Desai in the noon of 18th Jaunary'19 towards Ahmedabad to pick another best buddy Pankaj Maheriya but he was busy and will came with his car so we bypass the road from Ahmedabad from kheda.
After drive of some kms,just a thought came and called Akbarbhai,my best guide of Nal Sarovar to say hi coz we were just 50km away from him around at 3pm.he told us to came there to click as Indian Fox and its Pups.as we have lots time time we went there,
reached there around at 4pm and clicked so many birds with Saker Falcon(my lifer) and take sit behind messed tree bushes for hide ourselves.waited for more than hour and finally beauty came but we were noticed.
This Photo was clicked at 6.15pm

Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark4
Manual Mode
f /5.6 || Shutter speed 1/320 || ISO 3200 || 600mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Nal Srovar, Gujarat.

Best Wildlife Photos of 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 16:16:00 +0000

Wildlife Photography is challenging most of time but it give pleasure to me.Through out the Year,i went different places and framed many birds,wild animals and landscape but few of them are special to me and making a video to showcase my work

European Nightjar

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:29:00 +0000

Many times i went for a specific bird at specific locations but Exploring the area and finding the log awaited lifer gave extraordinary happiness.
Every year i went Kutch for passage migrant during mid September,also i was at Kutch on 17th to 20th September 2018 with my besties but this time we were with Vikramsinh Sodha at Kunj Homestay.He is in my list of one of best guide due to many reasons.mostly he gave his best for desire species, confirm locations, good knowledge of many years etc.
we reached around in the evening of 17th, got Red-backed and Red-tailed Shrike as planned. then we returned and talk for real exploration in the night.so we entered the area around at 8pm,sighted jungle cat,spent 20min for good photos but didn't got so we went inside.its total darkness,we were unable to see anything except where my cheetah's headlight was falling.Drive for 30+min and then i turn my car so xuv has feature of side beam light and sudden i saw a bird was sitting.we all thought for nightjar or harrier.so i turn my xuv towards it and took record shot from distance for id,it was a nightjar.then sudden it fly but we have torch and didnt fly for long distance so Vikramsinh told to off the light and drive slowly towards it then turn to one side and i did.then i on the headlight and we came out very carefully,this beauty gave 1+min and perk is here.

Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark4
Manual Mode
f /5.6 || Shutter speed 1/20 || ISO 3200 || 400mm || White Balance : Auto
Kunj Birding Homestay,Kutch, Gujarat.

Red-wattled Lapwing

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 15:08:00 +0000

we were in search of Common Ringed Plover in morning session of my Jamnagar Trip during 19th January 19 but we cudnt find so one of our friend Vivek Mansata told to go at Studio of Jamnagar.i was shocked to see the place,it was a area where drainage water pass but got amazing shot of Red-wattled Lapwing with mirror image.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 + Tamron 150-600
Aperture-priority Av Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/2500 || ISO 500 || 278mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Indian Leopard

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:31:00 +0000

Many time, My Friend Viren's Mom had told me "you went for sasan safari many times with my son,when you are going to take us with you for safari?" and after 1+year we had finalized this family trip on 30th May to 2nd June 2019.
i had booked Morning Safari for 12 person of 31st May 2019,so we have to reach by 5am for permit letter,route allotment for safari,guide and vehicle coz there been long queue but we reached around at 5.30am and after 30+min we were on the way for morning Gypsy safari of Sasan Gir in 2 Gypsy.
Sunrise already done and enough sunlight,after drive of 20min of park entry,we sighted wild Boar then spotted owlet.Then we moved inside the jungle and We were Looking for lion,lioness and their cub as we heard the news of it but around 6.32am we sighted Indian Leopard,who was eating dead buffalo, it was my 2nd sighting of Indian Leopard in Gir Safari.1st one was sighted in 2016 when i was with my family and 2nd sighting again with my family.
it was a dried area of small river passing thru it and luckily we can easily see this beauty.i'm much surprised coz it was busy in eating and ignoring 5 gypsy,Sasan leopard are much shy and they hide them self in bushes.i had took many photos and 3-4 videos of this beauty and we were on the way in the jungle.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 + Tamron 150-600
Manual Mode
f /6.3 || Shutter speed 1/200 || ISO 2000 || 226mm || White Balance : Auto
Sasan Gir,Junagadh, Gujarat.

Curlew Sandpiper

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 17 May 2019 17:38:00 +0000

Love to frame breeding colors of birds.As i regularly went different-different places for breeding birds in Gujarat during April to May with my friend Dr.Pankaj Maheria. Last year,i had decided to visit Jamnagar for Breeding as its heaven for bird photographers and got a chance in the April end.
it was very late for breeding colors as most breeding birds were fly away in the April end but still i went there.from our hotel to this place is 1+hr drive away so we reached there before sunrise and waiting for high tide to start and bird will come closer to shore.as tide started, find the place and lye down on ground for waiting of birds to come closure to us.after 30+min they had started walking towards us but sudden fly away and our all wait was over due to one well known photographer/mentor who was clicking photos just 200+meter away from us and due to fly away of small group of bird by crawling towards them,he stand up...1year waiting was gone.too much anger but forgot it and went back where our guide was sitting.
Our Guide shows another folks and i had crawl for 100+ meter and taking photos and again this man came and all folks fly away. now we have no option to return.
Pankaj told to visit other end of beach and we find few folks but not happy with this shot.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 + Tamron 150-600
Aperture-priority Av Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/4000 || ISO 800 || 600mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Stoliczka's Bushchat

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 15:10:00 +0000

Stoliczka's Bushchat was a long awaited bird coz it was clicked by me during my 1st visit of GRK on 14th December 16 but it was just a record shot coz i had clicked after sunset and very difficult to approach closure.Next year again i went there mean on 28th December 2017 and clicked a good close shot and satisfied with it but later i knew that this Stoliczka's Bushchat have unusual pattern of "puff and roll" while they walk on ground,again it came in wishlist.
in 2018 there is less rain in kutch region so many birds will migrate to inner areas of Gujarat and this my thought was told to one of mine best guide Akbarbhai who is from Nal Sarovar,he had sighted this beauty while he was searching a Shot-eared Owl so i made a Plan to frame this beauty along with Little Crake.
Told my Plan to my friends and in the evening of 18th March 2019 we were on the way to Nal Sarovar. we had booked a room at Bavla,it is 1 hr drive from Nal Sarovar.we wake up around 4.45am and get ready till 5.30am and on the way towards Nal Sarovar.reached around at 6.35am and Akbar was waiting for us,1st we went for Little Crake,will write on it later.Around 7.10am Akbar told to go at a place where Stoliczka's Bushchat were sighted coz its puff n roll action been captured in morning and if temperature been raised then we are helpless coz summer is already started and this region after 9am it been temperature goes above 35degree Celsius.
After Drive of 15min we were near to that area but my car was unable to cross a road coz local villager had dig a small area for water for their harvest so parked my cheetah and started walking.Akbar was continuously calling his family member who was that area,i asked him "why are you calling" then he replied "to come with bike and picked all of us".then i told why bike,we can walk.he replied sir it was 4km away and time is important.finally two guy came with two bike andwe reached after 5+min of bike ride.
one of guide show me the beauty displaying "puff n roll", lye down on ground very carefully coz there were dried branches of wild babool and i experienced its spike. i was hypnotized after watching its display of "puff n roll". clicked so many photos but unable to focus and frame its "puff n roll" coz walk here n there and also during ground level shot there may be obstacles of grass and other things which may hurdling during focus.i had avoided crawl due to pointed spikes, so walked little towards "puff n roll" beauty when it fly away and finally after 15min of efforts,took shots then tried for video.sharing both here,hope You will liked it.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 +Tamron 150-600
Manual Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1600 || ISO 500 || 600mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Nal Sarovar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Here is handheld Video

Lesser Flamingo with Asian Dowitcher

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 14:43:00 +0000

Asian Dowitcher is a Resident bird Western to Eastern Siberian steppe regions, Mongolia and North East China.Migrate to South Asia, south India, Sumatra and North & East Australia during winter.
Gujarat had record of sighting in 8th Feb 2012 by Kunal Joshi
This Rarity again sighted on 31 december 2018 by Rajdeepsinh Jadeja and have a dream to go Jamnagar but no leave option,cudnt manage for it.somehow a manage 3 day with mine off for Little crack on 18th to 19th January 2019 but this program was postponed and trip made for Jamnagar.
So i drive my cheetah to Bardoli around at 9.30am and parked at Viren's House,then we took his Elantra and driven towards Ahmadabad around at 10.30am.
Pankaj was coming from Patan to Ahmedabad and with Vivek Mansata,they will join us but due to some issue Vivekbhai told to left Ahmadabad in evening.now Pankaj was Confused coz i have to left Jamnagar by 19th and he had decided to do birding on 20th so he also came with Vivekbhai in evening.
we were near Bagodra and it was 3.30pm so we have lots time...(will share it in another article)...left Nal Sarovar at 6.30pm.
Reached Jamnagar by 11.30pm and entered in Hotel Presidency,issue begin for booking as Pankaj did online booking for 2 room and showing only 1 room but hats off to owner Mustakbhai who told to his attendant to give room and then ask to do booking online.Mustakbhai told to sit in his cabin till Pankaj and Vivekbhai came so we talked with them till 3am with very tasty tea,in between get a chance to meet Yashodhan Bhatia
Next Day we wake around at 6.30am and went location of Asian Dowitcher around at 7.30am and Kunal Joshi came there to guide us but we didn't sighted this rarity in whole morning session.So we went at other area and then went for a breakfast of favorite little Samosa.around 12pm we went at Lalabhai's shop to buy Pankaj's Nikon D850 and then went to Balachadi with Kunal Joshi for Red Knot.but again bad luck.
Around 3.30pm decided to go at Dowitcher's Site so we were in Pankaj's car.Vivekbhai called Chirag Solanki one of good guide from Jamnagar for sighting of Common Ringed Plover and he told,Dowitcher is sighted come at location,Viveknhai told we were about to reach.
After seeing me and Viren,Chirag aka Chiku, i will not let this two person to click Asian Dowitcher as they didnt told me that we were coming to Jamnagar...and smiled and hug us.We know Chiku when he come to surat and went for Forst Owlet as we know the exact location.Surprisingly we met with Ketan Shah,Dhyey shah and Anup Chavda,we shake hand and sit beside them.
The Rarity was far away and took record shot and waited for 45+min and then it started walking.we had taken so many shots with video and sharing this one,its not a close shot bu loved frame.

Exifs :
Canon 5D Mark4 + Tamron 150-600 G2
Aperture-priority Av Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/1250 || ISO 800 || 500mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Spot-winged Thrush

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 08:09:00 +0000

i was on a Family vacation at Sri Lanka with my Friend Dr.Pragnesh in mid May'18.for birding its a odd season due to heavy rain.even though we had plan to go Sinharaja National Park on 19th May'18.
we were stayed at Earl's Reef Beruwala,wake up at 3.15am and get ready within 15min.went at reception,surprisingly receptionist made a ready packed breakfast for us and our cab Driver Mr.Albert Christo was waiting for us.
Without delay we were on the way towards our destination.it was a journey of 3hrs.i thought for sleep but didn't because i was little afraid because its an unknown country and with unknown person at odd time drive.
Even though we both doctor are unable to speak English well and our cab driver was speaking english very fluently though we chat with each other.after drive of 1 hr our cab was stopped by Sri Lankan Police,now my heartbeat were increased even though we hv all document coz it was dark area.good thing was everything handled by our cab driver and policeman didn't ask anything to us.
Our target was to reach by 6am at entrance of Sinharaja National Park and i asked to my cab driver to stop for a coffee break but on whole way we didn't see a opened dhaba/shop/restaurant for break.Around 5am we saw a shop n drink a hot coffe,it was of great taste made by a old man and we thanked him.
After drive of 1hr,we reached around at 6.15am,a guide named Ratnasiri came to us and talked for everything.there was a system that each guide has a turn to go with guest so no other person talk with us.i paid entry fee and bought a pair of foot cover to safe us from blood leeches/blood sucker.
we started walking with our guide for birding.it was rainforest so it was not a easy task for photography even we experienced badly for 3 endemic species,we failed to frame average shot of them.
After walking of 500+meter, hill area started and there was no wind.apat from 15 degree Celsius temperature i was wet.we clicked Sri Lankan Junglefowl, Malabar Trogon,Sri Lankan Hill Myna etc bird and our guide told for Sri Lankan Frogmouth. Guide went 4-5 different place but he didnt find this beauty so we went further inside of Jungle.
Now Turn for Spot-winged Thrush.we walked down of hill after walking by bending our selves,walking thru water.guide searched it 2-3 location but he failed and after hard work of 30+min he hear a call and further we walked inside and spotted.
i clickedthis beauty at 2000 iso but it was total black because sun light was unable reach there and set iso 5000 still result was not good and set at 10k iso and clicked this shot.i know about noise grain but i have no option and happy to frame this tough endemic beauty during odd season.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 with Canon 100-400 is2
Manual Mode
f /7.1 || Shutter speed 1/320 || ISO 10,000 || 400mm ||
Sinharaja Rain Forest, Sri Lanka

Golden Eagle Mobbed by Crow

noreply@blogger.com (Anand Patel) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 15:13:00 +0000

i had shared a story of Golden Eagle which was sighted by Myank Judal and his friend at Outskirt of Palanpur in the 1st week of December 2018.
After sighting of Golden Eagle , i had clicked side pose, back pose and front pose recorded video by handheld but its too shaky so asked Dharmesh Patel to give his monopod and he gave me.captured its preening behavior in 2-3 videos and merged, sharing with you a YouTube upload.
hope you enjoy,leave a comment.

Exifs :
Canon 7D Mark2 + Canon 100-400 IS2
Aperture-priority Av Mode
f /8 || Shutter speed 1/5000 || ISO 1000 || 400mm || White Balance : Auto
Outskirt of Palanpur, Gujarat.

open Video in new tab or in YouTube for better result