Laggar Falcon in Action [Female] @ Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Laggar Falcom (Falco jugger) [Female] is a fast, attractive and active migratory bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, the state of Rajasthan, Northwestern India.

The photos were taken using Nikon D500 paired with Nikkor 500 PF lens, ISO 500, F 5.6, 1/4000, EV -0.3.

Bird Photography Trip to Rajasthan, Northwestern State of India

It was the first bird photography trip to the state of Rajasthan, in Northwestern India during winter. The locations include Tal Chhapar, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. The three places are considered the most exciting bird photography and bird watching locations in the state of Rajasthan, where each place offers completely different species of birds and wildlife with its endemic species.  

Tal Chhapar

Tal Chhapar can be reached in approximately four and a half hours drive from Jaipur International Airport. Tal Chhapar sanctuary is an open grassland with scattered trees and it is home for blackbuck also known as the Indian Antelope. It attracts raptors during migration period in winter. Other places of interest are salt pans area which is adjacent to the sanctuary which is home to waders. Gousala is another exciting area for bird photography and bird watching in Tal Chhapar. The place is home to vultures and raptors, not forgetting an endemic bird; Spotted Treecreeper.

Bikaner

Bikaner is approximately 340 km from Jaipur International Airport or approximately 131 km from Tal Chhapar. It can be reached in 6 hours from Jaipur or 2 and a half hours from Tal Chhapar by car respectively. Bikaner consists of desert area with scattered grazing land in the Thar Desert. It is home to desert mammals, migratory birds and raptors in winter.

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is also know as "Golden City" because of it uses yellow sandstones for buildings. It is part of Indian Thar Desert and border to Pakistan. The area consists of sand dunes and yellow sandstones with scattered grass land. It can be reached in approximately 10 hours by car for a distance of 600 km from Jaipur international airport or 7 and a half hours drive from Tal Chhapar for a distance of 422 km or 5 hours drive from Bikaner for a distance of 330 km respectively. Jaisalmer is home to a famous Desert National Park (DNP) which is the main reason for bird photographers and bird watchers to be there. Desert National Park is one of few places where Indian Great Bustard and Macqueen's Bustard can be found, beside many other small endemic desert birds. 

Why Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the biggest state in India. It land covers 11 percent of total land area of India. The state has more than 600 species of birds to offer to bird photographers and bird watchers, not forgetting the flora and fauna. It is a low land where famous Indian Thar Desert is located. 

Rajasthan has an impressive biodiversity, especially fauna. Due to its geographical location, it is a destination to many migratory birds in winter, more specifically for raptors and at the same time it is home for endemic desert birds and other mammals. 

In terms of accessibility, being the biggest state in the country, Rajasthan is very accessible, be it via road, rail and air. There are abundant hotels, resorts, villas and guesthouses of different standards and prices in each city and town in the state. Not forgetting restaurants, cafe, convenience shops of all kinds and standards. 

Best time to visit Rajasthan

For purpose of bird photography and bird watching, the best time to visit the state is during winter; from October to March. During this period, temperature is between 15 - 20 degree centigrade during day time and it goes down to between 5 - 10 degree centigrade during night time and early morning. Hence, prepare for suitable clothing. No rain is expected during this period hence, outdoor activities can be carried out whole day long.

Bird Photography and Bird Watching in India

Bird photography and bird watching in India have been getting very good attention and have captured overwhelming response from both the local and foreigners alike. This can be witnessed by number of professional, enthusiast, serious hobbyist and beginners, men and women bird photographers and bird watchers at any birding location in the country.

Bird photography and bird watching business ecosystems have been mushroomed throughout the country. That includes, lodges built in the middle of the jungle, hides, birding tours and bird guides. It has become one of the upcoming lucrative businesses in the country which attracts both local and foreign bird photographers and bird watchers.

 

Best Way to Go

Both local but non-native to Rajasthan and foreign bird photograpers and bird watchers, prior arrangement with local bird guide is highly recommended as transportation to go places and knowledge on locations of specific species of birds are needed to ensure satisfactory result.

In view of the distance between one place and the others, it is recommended to plan those destinations with local bird guide beforehand as special vehicle is needed to enter those places, especially desert area. One of the best route is to start from Jaipur to Tal Chhaper. From Tal Chhapar continues to Bikaner, then to Jaisalmer. The same route for the return. By doing so, it breaks a long distance drive. 

Common Kingfisher @ Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a colorful, attractive and active bird among many hundred of bird species can be found in Ranthambore National Park. It can be found at lower elevation in the forest of the park.  

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park needs no introduction to the world. It is famous for Royal Bengal Tiger, the biggest wild cat alive today. The park has the most tiger population per square kilometer and it is also the largest national park in the state of Rajasthan, India. Originally as project tiger reserves in 1973, the park was declared as National Park on 1 November 1980. 

Inside the Ranthambore National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ranthambore Fort is situated. 

How to get to Ranthambore National Park

Located in a small town called Sawai Madhopur, the park can be reached in approximately 3.5 hours by car from Jaipur international airport for a distance of about 160 km. Train and buses are also available mode of transportation from Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur. 

Although Sawai Madhopur is a small town, to cater for both local and foreign tourists visiting Ranthambore National Park, there are abundant hotels, resorts, villas and guesthouses of different standards and prices. Not forgetting restaurants, cafe, convenience shops of all kinds and standards.  

Best time to visit Ranthambore National Park

For a purpose of tiger sighting, the best time to visit the park is during summer; from April to June. During this period the temperature can go up to 40 - 48 degree centigrade. Hence get ready with suitable clothing and a lot of water. Summer generally is non-peak period for Ranthambore National Park as tourists try to avoid very hot weather. However, for serious animal or tiger lovers and wildlife photographers, this is the best period to capture the mammal as they come out to find water at the designated water points.

The peak period where most tourists visit the park is during winter, from November to February where the temperature can drop to 4-10 degree centigrade in the early morning and below 15 in the afternoon. 

Ranthambore National Park is closed during monsoon season, from July to September and it is coincide with a mating season for the tigers. 

Safari at Ranthambore National Park

Safari can be pre-booked or booked from the local agents in the small town of Sawai Madhopur. However, it is advisable to pre-booked the safari as it may be fully booked and the price may be hiked during the peak season. Generally, there are two type of vehicles for safari which allowed to enter into the park, a small jeep with maximum 6 passengers, with a driver and a guide. The other type of vehicle is called Canter, a larger 20-seater modified vehicle. Both vehicles are opened top vehicle. 

The desired type of vehicle can also be chosen during the booking is made as it is different in price. 

For serious wildlife photographers, a small jeep is much desirable as vehicle can move much faster and can enter smaller roads to find animals in the park. 

The Untold Rules of Safari at Ranthambore National Park

Although the total area of the park is approximately 1,300 square kilometers, only less than 30% is opened to public. The area that opens to public is divided into 10 zones, Zone 1 - 6 are considered premium zones where possibility of sighting tiger is better than other zones and they are nearer to the town. Zone 7 -10 cover more hilly and rocky areas with less chances to sight the tigers and it takes about one hour to reach the entrance of the zone from town where hotels are located. 

Although, the zone for each safari vehicle visits is determined by the forestry department officer based on computerized system, speak to local agent where booking is made for desired zones. Beware, some local agents will charge more for the arrangement to enter the premium zones. 

Secondly, the park is opened in two time slots, morning from 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and afternoon from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. At the end of each time slot, all safari vehicles must exit the park. Hence, the effective duration for safari for each time slot is only 2 hours. As such, arrange safari vehicle for early pickup so the jeep will be at the entrance of designated zone as it opens.  

For serious wildlife lovers and photographers, request for the entire day safari without exiting the park can also be made at the local agent where the booking is made so as to allow more time to search for animal in the park. However, do expect much more expensive fee. 

What to expect in Ranthambore National Park

Visitors to the park expect to see the Royal Bengal Tiger. During summer, the chances to sight this mammal is more than 70% whist only 30% chances during winter. Besides tiger, for wild cat family, leopard, caracal and jungle cat can also be found here. 

Other common animal can be sighted in the park include spotted deer, sambar deer, antelope, gray langur just to name a few. 

The park is also a home to more than 350 species of birds, 40 species of mammal and reptiles and few hundred species of plants.

Mehrangarh Fort @ Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Mehrangarh Fort and Museum is situated at some 400 feet above the city elevation overseeing beautiful Jodhpur city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It can be reached in just 30 minutes by car or three-wheeler, climbing the hill through a small and winding road from Jodhpur city center.

Mehrangarh Fort is one of the largest forts in India. The fort was built with thick and very tall enclosure wall. It consists of few palaces and beautiful courtyards. 

Best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort

The best time to visit Mehrangarh Fort is during winter, from November to March with the temperature between 10-20 degree centigrade and a clear blue sky. 

The entrance to the fort is opened daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. A small entrance fee is collected at the entrance to the fort which is charged differently between local and foreign tourists.

The Exterior and Facade of Mehrangarh Fort

The Interior of Mehrangarh Fort

The Courtyard of Mehrangarh Fort