Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2019/04/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ric, Thanks for looking Cheers Jayanand On Tue, Apr 16, 2019 at 8:56 AM CartersXRd via LUG <lug at leica-users.org> wrote: > what a gorgeous bunch! > > you?re a wonder > > ric > > > > On Apr 14, 2019, at 3:34 AM, Jayanand Govindaraj via LUG < > lug at leica-users.org> wrote: > > > > Before I went to Ranthambhore last month, I visited the Chambal River > area > > for the first time. Chambal, save for the last 30kms before it flows into > > the Yamuna (which carries enough pollution from Delhi and Agra to kill > all > > humankind) is said to be the most pristine river system in India. > > > > This is the last redoubt of the fish eating crocodilian, the Gharial, for > > which the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary has been set up, > on a > > stretch of river bordering three large states. Once common in the > riverine > > systems of North India, it is now estimated that only 300-800 remain in > the > > wild, thanks to the usual pollution, over fishing and entanglement in > > fishing nets. They are among the largest crocodilians, males have been > > known to reach 20 feet. On this stretch where both the Gharial and Mugger > > Crocodiles are found, the Gharials did look much more massive to my eyes: > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3822.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3767.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3570.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3868.jpg.html > > > > The Chambal system is also known for its bird life - we saw 120 species > on > > the river alone - I had an ace birder couple with me who were taking > notes > > on the sightings! The main attraction is undoubtedly the Indian Skimmer: > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3906.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3677.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4470.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4335.jpg.html > > > > Among the other birds we saw were the following: > > > > Lesser Whistling Duck - > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4276.jpg.html > > > > Great Thick-knee - > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4644.jpg.html > > > > And finally, the most surprising sighting, a good 10-15 minutes with the > > normally shy and reclusive Jungle Cat: > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190311-3356.jpg.html > > > > The other area which is of interest around this area is a village called > > Saifai, smack bang in the middle of the constituency of a major political > > strongman, Mulayam Singh Yadav. Because of the political patronage, it > is a > > very prosperous area, with 4 lane highways connecting villages, and ample > > water from two major rivers, the Yamuna and the Chambal, ensures very > > fertile land. The fertility of the land attracts birds: > > > > Black-necked Stork: > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4141.jpg.html > > > > Saras Crane Take Off: > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4070.jpg.html > > > > Saras Crane Dance: > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4188.jpg.html > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4203.jpg.html > > > > Finally a pair of River Lapwings in their noisy, careering flight: > > > > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/jayanand/Ranthambhore_001/2019/Chambal/ChamBharat-20190312-4092.jpg.html > > > > Please see LARGE > > > > Comments and criticism, as ever, welcome > > > > Cheers > > Jayanand > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Leica Users Group. > > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information