[Leica] Chambal Area

[Jayanand Govindaraj]

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
> >
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