[Leica] Chambal Area

[Bernard Quinn]

As ever, another excellent series. My bit those crocs have some heavy duty teeth! My favorite one is  the crane taking off.

Barney





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Barney Quinn, WK3Z
301-775-1386



> 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
> 
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