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Vijay vilas palace is located in Kutch, Gujarat near Mandvi beach. Vijay Vilas Palace is popular tourist destination who visited Kuch and Bhuj.The resort was built as summer resort. It was built by Maharao shri Khengarji III for his sons Yuvraj shri Vijayaraji.  The palace was built by red sandstone . It described the Rajput architecture. Vijay Vilas Palace is about 21 km from Mandvi beach. Total time for visiting vijay vilas palace is around 1-2 hours. Vijay Vilas heritage resort has own private beach. Vijay Vilas Palace is also a heritage hotel which provide A/C tented rooms with beach facing and access to private beach. you can have more details on Gujarat Tourism Vijay Vilas palace.

About Vijay Vilas Palace :

• ·         Vijay Vilas Palace was built by Maharao Shri Khengarji III.
• ·         Vijay Vilas palace covered total 700 acre area.
• ·         It has central high dom on pillars and Bengal domes on sides.
• ·         Windows are covered with colored glass and Jalis.
• ·         The palace is in the middle of garden where marble fountain and water channel are passed.
• ·      The Jalis, Jarokhas, Chajas, Chatris , colored glass work and stone carving made by craftsman of Jaipur,Bengal, Rajasthan and Saurashtra.
• ·         On the top of central dome open balcony where you can view 360 of surrounding area.
• ·      Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach. You can stay at palace with chargeable basis.  Now its for museum purpose also.
• ·         In Vijay Vilas palace many bollywood movie shoots like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Commando, Lagaan etc.
• ·         Palace construction started in 1920 and completed in 1929.
• ·         Inside palace you can see drawing room.

Entry Tickets for Vijay Vilas Palace Bhuj:

Entry fees for Vijay Vilas Palace is INR 20 per person. Also Camera fees extra around INR 200 and photography charges around INR 50 .

Vijay Vilas Palace Bhuj Timings :

Timings for Vijay Vilas Palace visit is morning  10 AM to 1 PM and in evening 3 PM to 6 PM.

Vijay vilas palace is closed on Thursday for visitors.

Nearest places to visit :

Mandvi Beach is the nearest place to vijay vilas palace  around 20km distance. Beach is very neat and clean and lots of water activities are done here.  It is not white sand beach but you can say its almost white sand beach.

Bhuj city is another place to visit around 65-70 km distance. In Bhuj you can also visit Aina Mahal, Chatradi, Smruti Van, Vandematram Memorial, Bhujyo Dungar etc and also local shopping too.

You can stay at Mandvi there are lots of hotels and resorts near to Mandvi beach. Or you can drive to Bhuj city where you have lots of hotel options to stay and also bhuj is main city of Kutch so you can easily go to White Rann from Bhuj, Dholavira, Road To Heaven, Kadiya Dhro etc.

Baboons are Old world monkeys. In Kenya and Eastern Africa yellow baboon and olive baboon monkey spices found mostly. There are total 6 spices of baboon monkeys as below.

• Chacma Baboon – Found in Southern Africa
• Guinea Baboon – Far western Africa
• Hamadryas Baboon – Southwestern Arabia and Horn of Africa
• Olive Baboon – Savanna or North central Africa
• Kinda Baboon – Central Africa
• Yellow Baboon – Eastern Africa and South Central Africa

Well during my trip to Kenya I found Yellow Baboon monkey at Amboseli National Park and Masai mara National Park. I also found Vervet Monkey which is also a family of Old World Monkey too.

Yellow Baboon  :

In Greek Yellow Baboon spices mean DOG HEAD as it has dog like shape of head and muzzle. Yellow Baboon found in Savanna , Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and light forest in eastern Africa.

• Yellow Baboon has long arm and legs. It has slim body.
• It has yellowish brown hair so its called yellow baboon.
• Male yellow baboon can grow 84cm approx. and female around 60cm.
• Tail is almost as long as its body.
• Lifespan of Yellow baboon is around 15-20 years.
• They live in a group of 8-200 individuals.
• As yellow baboon is omnivorous they eat plants, fruits, leaves, seeds, warms, fungi, spiders, insets and small mammals.
• Male yellow baboon leads the group and females and and baby stay in center.
• Baboons are very strong. Weight of baboon monkey is almost 35 kgs.
• It has sharp teeth as long as lions.
• Yellow Baboon is in Least Concern in IUCN list.
• Yellow Baboon is a family of Cercopithecidae.

During morning safari at Amboseli  National Park I found Yellow Baboon monkey family. They were too far but I catch them with my camera with good quality pictures. I shoot alone Yellow Baboon and also I take a picture of Yellow Baboon with Kid on his back. Baby looks very cute.

Vervet Monkey :

• Vervet monkey is also a old world monkey.
• It has black face and body hair color is grey.
• Vervet monkey have been noted for having human like characteristics.
• Weight of vervet monkey around 3 to 9 kgs.
• Vervet monkey range from Southern and east Africa, south Sudan to down south Africa.
• Vervet monkey killed by Pythons, eagles, leopards and baboons mostly.
• Vervet monkey is omnivorous so they eat fruits, flowers, vegetable , grains, seeds etc.

During my trip to Amboseli national park I found vervet monkey at my hotel play yards. They are cute and very friendly to humans until you do not disturb them. We stay at Ol-tukai resort at abmoseli national park. Good resort to stay and good hospitality. In amboseli National Park there are also huge number of African Elephants you can find. A group of elephants easily found in the Amboseli National Park. Also if weather is clear then you can see Mount Kilimanjaro during safari. I also wonder a shot of elephant with Mount Kilimanjaro but weather did not support me. 

Gear Used : Canon 6D, Canon 100-400 mm lens.

Location : Amboseli National Park , Kenya , Africa

Bar Headed Goose is high flying geese generally found in Asia. Bar Headed Goose and Bar Headed Geese both name you can use and both are same. It breeds in central Asia. It found many states in India during winter. In India its a winter visitor and breeds also during the month of November to April. For identification its looks simple because of it looks separate from other goose. There are black bars on head makes them different from other goose. It found in lakes and grasslands. I shoot them in Thol Bird Sanctuary near Sanand, Gujarat.

Migratory Birds In Gujarat : Bar Headed Geese/ Bar Headed Goose

You can call Bar Headed Goose or Bar Headed Geese also. It is migratory bird in India and also it can fly long distance and also at high altitude too.  Some description and interesting facts about bar headed goose are as follow

• Bar headed goose size around 70-75 cm length and weight around 2-3.5 kg
• Bar headed Goose color is pale grey. It is easily different from other geese birds as it has black color bars on head so it is called bar headed goose.
• Bar Headed Goose call is like typical goose honking.
• Bar Headed Goose breeds in Central Asia near mountain lake. Also breeds in winter in south Asia.
• Bar Headed Goose lays 3-8 eggs at a time.
• Bar Headed Goose known for high altitude flying bird because it fly over the Himalayas. Before crossing Himalayas it migrate from South Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia.
• Bar Headed Goose is one of the Wolrd's Highest flying birds. 
• Some report says it fly over Mount Makalu ( fifth highest mountain in World ) around 27825 ft and also from Mount Everest around 29029 ft but this report has no verification but we must say that Bar Headed Goose is high Altitute flying bird. It is an interesting subject to study for Naturalist that why Bar Headed Goose flying so high and extream altitude.
• Bar Headed Goose built their nest in Tibetan Plateau.
• Bar Headed Goose has little large area of wing than other goose because of their weight.
• Bar Headed Goose can migrate around 1600 km in a day.
• Rajhans is the Gujarati name of Bar headed Goose.
• Bar headed Goose eat plants and invertebrates.
• Bar Headed Goose is Least Concern in IUCN list.
• Bar headed Goose Binominal name is Anser Indicus

In Thol Bird Sanctuary lots of migratory birds found and more than 150 different spices of birds found . Main attraction of Thol Bird Sanctuary is Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican , Bar Headed Goose, Ducks, Waders, Blue Throat, Flycatcher, Greater spotted Eagle, Pochard and many more. 

During winter to summer season this bird is found at Thol Lake. I often travel to Thol Lake because its very near to my house. I reach early morning and back after half day. This time Bar headed goose is very close to me. I am so lucky that i got very sharp and clear blurred picture.The bird looks awesome in solo picture and in duo and also in a group. Bar headed goose is very shy bird so its is too difficult to get them very close. They are also high altitude migratory birds and passes over Himalayas from migration time.

Camera Used : Canon 6D, Canon 80 D, Canon 100-400mm lens

Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary, Sanand, Kadi

Places to Visit near Thol Bird Sanctuary : Adalaj Ni Vav, Motera Sun Temple, Little Rann of Kutch, Mahatma Mandir Gandhinagar.

Asian Woolly-necked Stork is the large wading bird and it is also known as Asian Woollyneck . It is a spices of Stork family and large wading bird. It is widely spread spices  and it breeds in Asia , India and Indonesia. It generally found at wetlands, agriculture field, cliff, and on trees. It also build nest on trees, mobile towers. Asian woolly necked stork found in Gujarat at many places like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Velavdar Sanctuary, and many more agriculture lands and wetlands, small ponds etc. I shoot it at agriculture land near vamaj village neat to kalol. 

Facts and description about Asian Wooly-necked Stork :

• Binomial name of Woolly-necked stork is  Ciconia Episcopus.  
• Wooly necked stork is medium size stork in stork family
• It is around 75-92 cm in height.
• The iris of wooly necked stork is crimson or similar to wine red.
• Overall body is black in color . Neck is white and underparts are glossy purple or dark green. under tail and lower belly are white in color.
• It has long legs and heavy bill.
• Asian Woolly necked stork breeds singly. It breeds in India, Asian and Indonesia. 
• They are attracted of fire in farms and agriculture because they found insects easily run away from fire .
• It has long and browed wings to travel long distance.
• They are generally in solo, pair or in 4-5 group. Flocks are generally found in summer when wetlands are very few.
• Asian woolly necked stork generally eat insects, reptiles and amphibians.
• They build nest in agriculture area on trees. They lay 2-6 eggs.
• Population of Asian woolly necked stork population is decreasing . It is now in near threaten  ( NT ) in IUCN list.

Well Like Asian woolly necked stork the other stork spices found in Gujarat is Painted Stork too. Size of both are almost same but difference of color. In Gujarat there are lots of bird sanctuary where we can found woolly necked stork and painted stork. My nearest bird sanctuary is Thol bird Sanctuary. In Thol Sanctuary there are more than 150 spices found by bird watcher. 

Gear Used : Canon 6 D , Canon 100-400mm lens

Location : Near vamaj village at agriculture area. 



Gandhi Kutir is a convention center is located in Gandhinagar in sector 13 C. It is also known as Dandi Kutir. It is inspired by life of Mahatma Gandhi. It is spread in 34 acers area so it is the biggest convention center in India. Gandhi Kutir developed by Government of Gujarat. Many business summits like Vibrant Gujarat held here. Government of Gujarat developed Mahatma Mandir as a place of development and Unity. It was  built by L&T . The design and planning of Mahatma mandir is environment friendly. Gandhi Kutir is a 41 meter high dome represent the famous Dandi March by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi Kutir Museum built on life of Mahatma Gandhi . It describe full life about Mahatma Gandhi from childhood to Purna Swaraj against British. In the Gallery there are different levels . At different levels different techniques used  like 3D mapping , 3D holograph, 360 degree projection, Interactive Audio , LED screens and photographs.

There are three part in Mahatma Mandir area :

• Convention Center :  Convention center is column free air-condition hall. Total capacity of convention hall is around 15000 people at a time. Theater style hall can accommodate around  6000 peoples. It has 4 seminar hall with capacity of 500 of 3 hall and 1000 of 1 hall. Convention and exhibition area has natural light and air spaces. It is also equipped with sufficient lighting and waste water management.
• Memorial : Memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi . It was constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji and company limited. In the memory of Dandi March a suspension bridge was built. A dome like structure made by concrete and it represent salt mound  houses, library and research center. Outer side of Dome structure a beautiful garden made for sitting. Also a Chakra or Spinning Wheel was built.
• Central Vista :  A 3 km long and 162 mt wide road constructed to connect Mahatma Mandir and Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Road has three lanes both side and between road there is a garden.

Entry Fee for Gandhi Kutir : 

An entrance fee for Gandhi Kutir is 10 INR for Indians and 200 for foreigners. Free tickets for school and collage students but they have to submit request on school or collage letterhead. Free entry for disabled. 

Timings for Gandhi Kutir :

Timings for Visit Gandhi Kutir is Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM . Monday Gandhi Kutir visit is closed.

How To Reach Mahatma Mandir :

Nearest Airport is Ahmedabad. From Ahmedabad airport to Mahatma mandir is around around 20-22 km distance.

Nearest Railway station is Gandhinagar railway station.

Hotels near Mahatma Mandir : The Leela Hotel located on Railway station near to Mahatma Mandir . It is 5 star hotel so bit costly. Also cheap hotels available in Gandhinagar too. 

Places to Visit Near Mahatma Mandir : Adalaj ni Vav is the nearest place to visit which was in between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Also Narendra Modi Stadium which was world's largest cricket stadium.

Ruddy Shelduck is migratory bird in India and also in Gujarat. It is generally found in many wetland areas and bird sanctuary like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar , Little rann of Kutch , Pariej Wetland etc. It is known as Brahminy Duck in India. They are resident in Northwest Africa and Ethiopia. Their main breeding area are southeast Europe, China and Mongolia. Ruddy Shelduck is common winter visitor in India during  October to April.  Ruddy shelduck generally found near lakes, rivers , reservoirs and water bodies. Ruddy shelduck is the member of shelduck Genus Tadorna in wildfowl family Anatidae.

Description and Facts about Ruddy Shelduck :

• Length of ruddy shelduck is around 56-70cm . With wingspan length is around 110-135 cm.
• Ruddy shelduck body is orange brown, head is paler , tail is black and wings feather during flight is black also.
• It is migratory bird in India during winter . It breeds in Central Asia, southeast Europe .
• Female Ruddy Shelduck lays around 8 eggs . Female incubate them for four weeks. 
• Ruddy Shelduck call loud nasal honking  notes in series. They can call from ground and from air also.
• Juvenile is darker brown shade but very similar to female.
• Ruddy Shelduck is mainly nocturnal bird. It is omnivorous and feed grass, plants, grains and aquatic invertibates. 
• Population of Ruddy shelduck is around 170000 to 225000 approx.
• Ruddy shelduck is in least concern bird list in IUCN list

Ruddy Shelduck found in pair and small groups. They rarely found in flocks. It had been recorded more than 4000 birds in Koshi Barrage and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Nepal. Also a 10000 recorded at Lake Duden in Turkey. In Gujarat i found Ruddy Shelduck at Thol Bird Sanctuary and also at Little Rann of Kutch. It is also found in many other wetlands like Nalsarovar Sanctuary, Pariej Wetland etc.  Nearest bird sanctuary near Ahmedabad is Thol Bird Sanctuary where you can find more than 150 different spices of birds and also a migratory birds like Greater Flamingos, Great White Pelican, Ducks, Spoonbill , Bar Headed Goose etc.

Camera used : Canon 6D, Canon 80D, canon 100-400mm lens 

Common Kingfisher is also known as Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher.  It is sparrow size bird with blue color on top of the body.  It is widely distributed in North Africa and Eurasia. When rivers freezes in winter they migrate from their. In India common kingfisher also a widely distributed in all over region. They generally found near to the water areas like canals, rivers, river birdges, ponds etc. I took a shot of common kingfisher or Eurasian Kingfisher at Thol bird sanctuary located in Gujarat near Sanand.

Description and facts about Common Kingfisher :

• It is about 16cm long and 25cm with wingspan.

• Its weight around 35-44 gm.

• It has short tail as all kingfisher tail is short.

• It has green blue upperparts and it has green blue neck stripe.

• Juvenile is similar to adult but dull underparts.

• Main flight feathers moult between july to november and it will takes 90-100 days to grow.

• Kingfisher flight too fast on low water.

• It is widely distributed in Europe, Asia and North Africa ( winter visitor ).

• Common kingfisher eats 60% of its body every day.

• Common Kingfisher lays 2-10 eggs which are white glossy in color.

Common Kingfisher in Gujarat :

Common Kingfisher or Small Blue Kingfisher found in Gujarat at many places like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary, Velavdar Sanctuary and many other outskirts of Wetlands too. They are very small and cute in look. There are lots of kingfisher bird spices found in Gujarat also. 

Bay backed Shrike is generally found in south Asia and it is resident bird of south Asia. In Gujarat it found many places and near to agriculture areas. Also found in Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Sanctuary and many other sanctuaries . It is member of bird family Lannidae. Binominal Name of Bay Backed Shrike is Lanius Vittatus. It is generally found in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan and also in Shri Lanka.  In Lannidae family there are total 34 spices of shrike found in different places.

Description and facts about Bay Backed Shrike 

• Bay Backed Shrike is smallish shrike. 
• It has long black tail and maroon brown above parts with pale  rump.
• Bay backed shrike Underparts are white.
• On the eye of Bay backed shrike there is a black strike like a bandit mask.
• Legs and bill are dark grey in color.
• It built nest in bush, cultivation area or scrubby areas.
• It lays 3-5 eggs .
• They found generally in Pair.
• For hunting they fly 2 to 2.5 mt high from ground and catch food within 10 mt radius .
• Shrike has good eyesight and sharp beaks.
• Status of Bay Backed Shrike is least concern in IUCN list.

Bay backed Shrike is resident bird in Gujarat. It is found at many places like agriculture areas, farms, scrubby areas etc. I found it in Thol Bird sanctuary first time and then at agriculture areas outskirts it found easily. They find food easily near to agriculture areas and farms so they live near to them.  

Camera Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 6D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

Meteor is a piece of rock in the sky. It is caused by meteoroid crashing through the Earth’s atmosphere. It looks like streak of light in the sky when it comes in the Earth’s atmosphere.  Millions of meteors occur in the sky. They are looks like shooting star. As per the size of meteor you can see vary of streak of light in the sky. Big meteor make big streak of light and small meteor make small streak of light.

Geminids  Meteor shower :

Meteors come from same place in the sky which is called Radiant. Meteors which appear to radiate from constellation Gemini is called Geminids Meteor Shower. Geminids Meteor shower appears in December every year. Geminids Meteoroids are 1000 years old.  Geminids Meteor shower caused by object 3200 Phaethon . Geminids are fast and bright and also it is most favorite meteor shower among all meteor shower. Geminids meteor shower rises from Northeast side and can bring 30-40 at minimum side and 100 -110 at maximum side per hour. The maximum visible of meteors are on peak day of it around 100-120 meteors per hour. Geminids meteor shower rising time around 7-9 pm and its on peak at 2 AM to early morning . At 2 AM you can see maximum meteors of Geminids.

Time-Laps Photography of Geminids Meteor Shower :

To see meteors we need a dark sky and also low pollution area.  First we need to choose best location for Astro photography or star trail photography or milky way photography or Meteor shower photography. We need to choose date when Geminids meteor is on peak . On peak date there is more chance to capture meteors in your camera. Choose an object  in foreground for time-laps photography. Set up your camera on tripod with Interval meter. Focus on subject in foreground which you choose or make your camera lens focus on infinity.  I had taken more than 200 photos in first frame and 150 photos in second frame. 

Time-Laps Settings for Meteor shower

• Set Aperture minimum as your lens supports. Best lens for star photography is 10mm, 14mm which lenses support low aperture like F/1.8 or F/2.8.
• Select manual focus for lens.
• Set interval meter shutter speed 20-25 seconds. More than 25 seconds your shutter speed may create star trail so set it to 20 or 25 seconds max.
• Set interval time around 20-25 seconds. Interval time you can decrease if you choose long exposure noise reduction off in your camera but I suggest to select interval time minimum 20 seconds.
• Set frames approx. 500 frames  
• Set ISO in your camera 1600-3200 depending on your camera noise. For low noise full frame camera is the best option.

 For finding best place for night sky photography or dark area near to you 

Best dark area finder app is

 https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#4/39.00/-98.00

https://www.darkskymap.com/nightSkyBrightness

For time and date of meteor shower visit

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/

Post Processing Time-laps photos

After taking more than 500 frames in time-laps you need to see them one by one and check how many meteors are captured in the frames. Those frames in which you captured meteors merge them in 1 frame in photoshop or lightroom.

Also you can make a time-laps video in many software with selecting all your frames. I made video in Picasa software which made time-laps video easily. Only JPEG files selected in picasa so make sure your frames may in JPEG or convert in JPEG.

Geminids meteor shower is one of the best meteor shower among all meteor shower. In India you can see Geminids meteor shower very clear from dark areas. In Gujarat Little Rann of Kutch and Rann of Kutch  area is best for Astro photography. Also Some areas near polo forest, Jessore Sanctuary and Dahod are good spots for night photography. There are also Perseids and Leonids meteor shower also most popular. But in India Geminids meteor shower is the best visible. Perseids meteor shower is occur in August but in India there is  a monsoon season during perseids meteor shower. So i guess for India Geminids meteor shower is the best

Gear Used : Canon 80D, Canon 18-55 mm lens

White Bellied Drongo is a spices of Drongo bird which is a member of Dicruridae family.  The George Edwards which is English Naturalist used name The Fork Tail'd Indian Butcher Bird. It is generally found at open forest or dry scrub areas. I found it at Thol Bird Sanctuary near thol village , Kadi taluka. It is also a Dicruridae  family bird which is very similar to black drongo only difference is white color in underparts. Tail is long and  looks like  fork .

Description and Facts about White Bellied Drongo :

• White bellied Drongo is similar to Black Drongo . It has black body , greyish throat and belly is white.
• Tail is looks like fork and less deep then black drongo.
• Male has shorter tail then female.
• White bellied drongo found in forest and dry areas. It is a resident bird in India.
• They are in group of 2 or 3 generally.
• Breeding season for Drongo is February to July.
• They lay 2 -4 eggs  on 20-30 feet height on tree.

Also a Black Drongo is very similar to white bellied drongo.  In Thol Bird Sanctuary both spices found. Also they found an many other places of Gujarat because they are resident birds. Drongo bird is also very aggressive during breeding season and after laying eggs to protect them.  

Photo Taken at Thol Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat

Gear used : Canon 1000 D with canon 55-250 mm lens