Just About Everything

Great Indian Bustard Birds of Desert National Park, Rajasthan It often surprises people to learn that birdwatchers go to deserts, hot, and cold ( Ladakh ) places in search of birds. The habitat, it seems, can't be sustaining bird life. In actuality it is quite the opposite!  A large number of species of birds are found all over Rajasthan like Larks, Wheatears, raptors including Vultures. Most of these birds are not colourful as they must camouflage themselves from predators. The Great Indian Bustard (image on the top left) is one of the critically endangered birds in India owing to hunting and loss of habitat. The habitats that these birds thrive in are dry grasslands, semi-desert regions, and scrubs. One of main reasons, for the Great Indian Bustard's reducing numbers in this region and in all parts of India, is because the earlier semi-desert lands have got transformed into farmed areas because of irrigation. These bird pictures are from the Desert National...

Demoiselle cranes, Khichan Tucked away in a rather remote area of Rajasthan is a village called Khichan. Khichan is not a place that usually features in a tourist's list. It is one of those off-the beaten destinations that is well-worth visiting though. You will likely hear of this place from birding enthusiasts, in fact  that is how I came to know of  Khichan. My  cousin Soma, who is an active birder told me about the existence of this place. She went there last winter and clicked some awesome pictures. Khichan is a must visit if you wish to witness quite an unusual sight. Would you like to see hundreds of Demoiselle cranes in one place? Khichan is where you can witness this amazingly beautiful and unusual sight. Flocks Demoiselle cranes Khichan Demoiselle cranes Rajasthan, India This migration has been happening since a very long time.The locals have helped in conserving and protecting this area. The cranes are fed grains every day and that i...