Sarus Cranes: Chambal Sarus Crane Conservation Area, Uttar Pradesh, India, March 2023 — The Sarus Crane Conservation area is a roughly defined and largely unprotected area of farm fields and wetlands in western Uttar Pradesh. where a growing population of Sarus Cranes nest. A number of organizations and local farmers are attempting to protect and promote breeding ares for the Cranes, which were in decline in the area, and the Indian Supreme Court is involved somehow. The Chambal Safari Lodge and a few other companies offer jeep safaris to view the cranes, but it is not a Refuge or a Reserve of the kind we are used to most places. Basically you drive one lane farm roads hoping to find the cranes. If you meet a tractor, you might end up backing up a long ways. 🙂 We did see cranes, in pairs and small groups feeding in the fields and saw several in flight. Wonderful birds, the worlds tallest crane, and worth protecting. Thankfully, Indian farmers have a soft spot in their hearts for the Sarus Crane, as it is associated with courting and marriage traditions in Uttar Pradesh, and they are making efforts to preserve the wetlands and feeding areas the Cranes rely on. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 100 and 125 @ f4 @ 1/1000th, 1/1000th, 1/640th, and 1/500th.

Ruddy Shelduck: Chambal River, Uttar Paradesh, India, March 2023 — The Ruddy Shelduck breeds mostly in a wide band starting in southeast Europe and stretching across all of Asia at that same latitude. It also breeds in much of India and there are outlying areas in northwest and northeast Africa. It breeds in Spain, and you can see it in summer almost anywhere in Europe. So pretty widespread. These two were in the sony area along the Chambal River and were photographed from our boats on the river. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 100 @ f4 @ 1/500th. +3EV.

Pied Kingfisher: Chambal River, Uttar Paradesh, India, March 2023 — The Pied Kingfisher is another bird common all over India where there are rivers and larger bodies of water…with a wide but disjointed range all through Asia and Africa. The sit on high perches on the banks of rivers and lakes, and you often see them hovering over water. This one was hunting from the bank of the Chambal River while we passed in our boats. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 125 @ f4 ! 1/500th. +.3EV.

Black-crowned Night Heron: Chambal River, Uttar Paradesh, India, March 2023 — Again, not an uncommon bird almost anywhere in the world, but good to see from our boats on the Chambal River. Sony Rx10iv at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Pixelmator Pro and Apple Photos. ISO 160 @ f4 @ 1/500th. +.3EV.