Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2019/04/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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