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Grey Headed Swamphen Or Sultana Bird: Purple swamphen bird is water bird and also a backyard bird too. There are six spices of purple swamphen. It is also known as Sultana Bird. Purple swamphen bird is chicken size bird. It has large feet  and bright plumage and red bill. It is generally found near lower water areas in wetlands. It is easily identifiy and also easy to find because of its color purple catches easily to your eyes towards it.

Six spices of swamphen are : 

• Western Swamphen 
• African Swamphen 
• Grey headed swamphen 
• Black backed swamphen 
• Philippine swamphen 
• Australasian swamphen. 

In Gujarat generally it found at wetland areas like Thol Lake, Nalsarovar, Pariej wetland etc. Also some low water area they are found.  

Some Facts about Grey-Headed swamphen : 

• Purple swamphen can fly long distance . 
• They are good swimmer too.  
• They can make loud bleating and hooting call. 
• They are seasonal breeders. 
• Swamphen live in pair . 
• They eat small fishes and snails like invertebrates. 
• Color of Purple swamphen is like a peacock and a red bill on its head looks beautiful. 

Purple swamphen is very good in color so the pictures are looking bright. Some of pictures are taken from my old camera so they may be not so good but i tried my best. Above image taken from my canon with 100-400 mm lens and in background and foreground a green grass make my image really fantastic.

Birds of Gujarat : Purple swamphen generally found in water areas and wetlands. My nearest place and bird sanctuary is Thol Lake. I often visit Thol Lake for birding. During winter season lots of Migratory birds came here and stay during winter. Swamphen bird is residence here and you can get them the whole year. They also breed here. 

Gear used : Canon 100 - 400 mm lens, Canon 6 D , Canon 1000 D 

Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary , Near Sanand , Gujarat

Flycatchers are really beautiful birds. All species have their different specification and different from other birds. Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher bird is one of them.In India it found in north side at Himalayan Mountain range.I got shot at manali when i was on trek of chandrakhanipass. Beautiful Bokeh with Flycatcher bird is really cool.

Binominal name : Ficedula Strophiata 

Family :Muscicapidae 

About Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher Bird: 

• Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher is resident bird of Himalayas.
• Male Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher has dark olive brown upper parts, blackish face and throat.
• Male  flycatcher has prominent white forehead and eyebrow.
• Small rufous patch in center of grey breast and large white patches at sides of tail in male Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher. 
• Female Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher has less distinct eyebrow, duller and less distinct rufous.
• Also female has paler grey face and throat.
• Juvenile Rufous gorgeted flycatcher has tail pattern as adult, underparts spotted with orange buff and orange buff throat and breast.
• Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher bird call is a thin zreet-creet-creet-chirt-chirt ......

Manali is beautiful place to visit during winter and also in summer. If you go in winter you can see live snowfall and that is amazing experience. While if you are nature lover then go by trekking and enjoy untouchable nature. You can find lots of birds around you while you are on a trek to manali. It was my first long trek experience when i go. But i must say it is the only way to feel nature closely you go by trekking. And if it is Himalayan trek then no word to say, it is marvelous. 

Photos taken at chandrakhani pass manali. Chandrakhani pass is the last point of our trek at about 10000 ft height. Its  a heaven for bird watching and bird photographer. We really want Himalayan Monal at this point but we are not lucky enough to get it. But we are not disappointed because we found more than 30-35 spices of birds during our trek. We found good number of flycatchers at manali himachal pradesh. Rufous gorgeted flycatcher is beautiful bird and its color is grey so it mix up with tree so difficult to find. 

Camera used : Canon 1000 D with 100-400 mm lens.

Indian Wild Ass known as Gudhkhur, Khur or Indian Onager in local Gujarati language. The population was estimated around 4450 before 5-6 years. Indian Wild Ass population increasing in numbers and extending its range from Little Rann of Kutch to Great Rann of Kutch. Little Rann Of Kutch where found  the world's largest population of Wild ass .The wild ass eat grass, leaves and fruits. Wild ass is very shy animal. If you want to go closer to them they ran away. I shoot photo from far distance with my tele lens. There was very low light at sunset and with tele lens u cant go much brighter image but i tried with sunset and wild ass together. Wild ass with sunset photo looks awesome. 

Facts about Indian Wild Ass :

• The range of Indian Wild Ass is western India, Pakistan and Afghanistan .
• In India Indian wild ass found only in Gujarat in Great Rann of Kutch , Little rann of kutch in Wild ass Sanctuary.
• In Gujarat Indian wild ass also found in small numbers in Banaskantha, Surendranagar, Mehsana and some outskirts of wild ass sanctuary.
• Indian Wild ass feed grass, leaves and fruit plants.
• Indian wild ass is the fastest animal of India.
• Speed of Indian wild ass is around 70 to 80 km per hour.
• Monsoon is matting season of Indian Wild Ass.
• Indian wild ass related subspecies are Mongolian Wild Ass, Turkmenian Kulan, Persian Onager and Syrian Wild Ass .
• In India there is another Wild ass spices named Tibetan Wild Ass found in Leh Ladakh and Tibet areas,

About Wild Ass Sanctuary Gujarat : 

Little rann of Kutch has two good sites one is Bajana where you can enter LRK from forest office. Another site is Dasada where good wetlands and outskirts area of amazing agricultural lands. From Bajana entrance route you can find amazing migratory birds and wild ass too. Lots of winter visitor birds and raptors found here. Best time to visit for raptors is November to February. Dasada village has good wetlands. Also some good wetlands area outside LRK where you can find migratory birds and some resident birds too. Also short eared owl found here and also endanger Bastard bird is found here. LRK is prefect sanctuary for wildlife and birders. Here you can find all types of birds and mammals. In little rann of kutch spices of invertibrates, insects, spiders, amphibians, reptiles, lizards, snakes etc are found. Sanctuary is in a desert of Kutch.

At the edge of sunset wild ass is beautiful subject to shoot. LRK has good horizon site  to capture 360 degree view . Little rann of kutch is very good sanctuary for birders too. In winter season LRK, little rann of kutch is best place to visit for raptors. Lots of migratory birds and raptors are found here . Wild ass is looks like a donkey. Same body structure as donkey but only the difference is color. LRK is good place for wildlife photographer bcz you found mammals , birds, migratory birds, raptors and also owls and endanger spices of Bastard found here.

The running wild asses make frame very attractive. Also a golden light with Indian Wild Ass looks beautiful frame and theme photo of colors of rann. 

Best time to visit LRK is November to march. You can go from Bajana wildlife sanctuary gate to enter.

LRK : Little rann of Kutch

Nearest village :: DASADA, BAJANA

From Ahmadabad to LRK distance about 100-120 km

Gear used : Canon 1000D, Canon 6D, Canon 100-400mm lens

Janmashtami is a hindu festival. A day when Lord Krishna born called Janmashtami. Janmashtami is occured on eight day of shravan month. Lord Krishna is the eight AVATAR of Lord Vishnu. Lord Kirshna born in a Jail at midnight of eight day of shravan month ( Gujarati Month ).Thats why all pooja conduct at midnight. The next day is also celebrated for PARANA . On that day all people of hindu religion swinging a Jhula to lord Krishna. Janmashtami is celebrated all over India.People decorate BAL GOPAL with jhula and decorate with balloons, flowers and also new cloths for Bal Gopal.

A story of Birth Of lord krishna ::

As per hindu tredition Lord kirshna was born in jail of Mathura. After his birth his father Vasudev immidiately took young krishna to Nand (vasudev's friend ) who lived in Gokul. Vasudev took him to Nand because Krishna's uncle Kansa wanted to kill lord krishna. After took lord krishna to Gokul he grow up their and thats why Krishna is called as Nand Lala. Lord krishna was born to free the earth from asuras.

On Janmashtami day people make fast for full day. Also awake for midnight for born of lord krishna and sing Bhajans. We have also celebrated Janmashtami at our home too. We have Bal Gopal in our home temple and we decorate it with flowers and ballons. 

Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Krishnashtami, Shri Krishna Jayanti. We decorate Bal Gopal from last two years at our home. Its a joy to decorate and wait for midnight 12 for birth of lord Krishna. 

Short Eared Owl is generally found in grassland. It is in family Strigidae. Its ear cannot be visible in regular pose so may be it called short eared owl. You can see its ears only in defensive pose of it. It is generally found in open area and grasslands. But the color of feathers is simillar to dry grassland so to find it is very difficult in grassland. In Gujarat it found in Little Rann of Kutch mostly and easily. Little rann of kutch is very popular place for birding and specially for Wild Ass.

Description of Short Eared Owl :

• It is medium size owl.
• Length of short eared owl is 34-43 cm and weight is 475 gm aprrox. 
• It has short , black and strong bill.
• It has big head, large eyes, wings are broad and a short neck.
• It is  described as moth and bat like in flight.
• Its wingspan almost 33 - 43 inch.

Some Facts to know about Short Eared Owl :

• It is simillar in looks with Long Eared Owl just difference is ear tuff of long eared owl can easily visible.
• It breeds in Europe, North and south America , Asia and Caribbean etc.
• It is known to relocate to area of higher population of its food.
• Breeding season is once in  a year around in March or April in Northen Hemisphere.
• It nests on ground in medow and it made by grass and vagitations.
• They hunts mostly at night and mouse or rat is favorite food of its. It also feed small mammals like squirell, mole, rat, bats etc.
• It is listed endangered in Mexico.
• 4 to 7 eggs approx. found in Short eared owl clutch and eggs  incubated  by female in 20-35 days approx.
• It is partially migratory.
• Call of short eared owl is waowk....waowk......waowk or toot.....toot......toot . During breeding it sounds also like eeee - yerp sound.

Birds of Little Rann of Kutch :

Little rann of kutch is very well known for Wild Ass. But its is heaven for birding too. Lots of migratory birds and Specially Raptors found during winter season . Short Eared Owl is also resident bird and breeds here too. Lrk is sanctuary that you can take 360 degree horizons view. Beautiful sunset and sunrise locations here. There are also many outskirts area near LRK is good for birding and horizons photos.

How to Reach LRK :  Little rann of kutch is about 165 km from Ahmedabad. You can go by own car inside sanctuary. 

Nearest Airport is Ahmedabad.

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

Phuket is on southern province of Thailand. Phuket is the largest island of Thailand. Phuket is near to Krabi Island and connected with Sarasin bridge. You can go by road and also Ferry service by sea too. Phuket is another beautiful place for beach lovers. Lots of blue sea and white sand beaches in this Phuket island. An island tour by ferry and by speedboat you can enjoy. Also some good hotels at some island so you can enjoy night stay at island and that is a good experience. Phuket area is 576 sq.km. Phuket is on major trading route between India and China. My tour to Pukhet is really amazing with family.

Phuket Weather :

Phuket weather throught year is pleasant. Average temperature of Phuket is 25 to 35 degree at day time and at night it fall about 5 to 10 degree. So average temperature of Phuket is around 30/25 degree. Monsoon season in Phuket starts in June to October. Best season to visit Phuket is November to February.  

4 Island Tour Phuket :

By ferry boat you can enjoy beautiful view with blue sky. There are also some snorkeling sites here also and some water activities too. So if u go by ferry you have to change your boat in between.  Phuket is prefect holiday destination for beach lovers and also nature island lover. Also its cheap holiday destination in compare to other foreign destinations. 

Price for Phi Phi island tour to phuket is around 1400 THB to 2400 THB depends on places they cover. You can book direct and get good deal on www.phukettoursdirect.com/ 

Best Beach Phuket to Visit :

Phuket is one of the best place for beach lovers. At 4 island tour there are best beaches to stay and have an beach night. Also some good beaches near city are Pa Tong beach, Karon beach, Rawai beach etc. 

Phuket Tour Itinerary :

Day 1  Phuket city tour with Gems Gallery and Phuket Fantasea Show.

           Karon Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint, Promthep Cape Sunset View

           Point, Wat Chalong, Gems Gallery visit and evening visit Fantasea show.

Day 2 Full Day Phi-Phi Tour by Big Boat include local lunch

          inclusive of Insurance, Life jacket, Local Thai Lunch, Fresh fruits on

          season, Soft drink, Tea/Coffee & Snack served on-board, English speaking guide

         on cruise (Tour covers: Phi-Phi Don + Phi-Phi Ley, Maya Bay, (pass-by

         sightseeing), Viking Cave (pass-by Sightseeing), Ton Sai Bay, Monkey beach

         (pass-by Swimming)

Day 3  Transfers from Phuket Hotel to Phuket International Airport

Amazing island tour from speed boat. Also weather is good here in every season except monsoon.

Phuket Nightlife : 

Well in Phuket nightlife is similar to Pattaya and Thailand. During day time you can not find any pubs and dance bar but at night the whole situation is changed. Pubs , bars, live shows all are active at night and also go go girls. Here sex is legal so any single man want to enjoy. There are lots of massage parlor on road with foot massage , body massage etc. They are offering cheap massage but they want just your money. If you want to good Thai massage in Phuket then find 5 star hotel and go inside hotel massage or if you are staying in good hotel then they also provide good therapist at hotel. But if you want some happy ending massage then go to Christin Massage in Phuket. A pink color building and christin massage is good for single man. Don't go any other massage parlor for happy ending because there are also some ladyboys you can not differentiate them.  There is also a walking street in Phuket like Pattaya where you can enjoy nightlife of Phuket.

Places to visit in Phuket city tour :: 

During Phuket city tour of half day many good places to visit. 

• Patong beach is one of the best place. 
• Also a Caron beach is good option. 
• Phuket Fantasea Show is major attractions of Phuket.
• The Buddhist Temple Wat Chalong,
• Gems gallery and The white Big Buddha statue Phuket  is a good view point. 
• Dolphin show is really awesome and i must say don't miss it. 
• Phuket Fantasea show tickets rates are 2200 THB for adult and 2000 THB for kids. Note that in Phuket Fantasia show they are not allow mobile or any camera inside so u can not take photos videos during show and put them in locker so plan accordingly.

Phuket Resorts and Hotel :

Lots of good and nice category hotels and resorts in Phuket. Once again i suggest don't waste your money in Hotels if you are good traveller and want to explore the place. In Phuket  i stayed in Ashlee Heights Patong Hotels & Suits . We search this hotel near to Vegetarian Food on walking distance. Hotel is good , clean. Find out on google for best rating hotels and resorts as per your choice. Most of good hotels in Patong Phuket.

The Wat Chalong temple.

The below image shows Wat chalong Temple Phuket. During city tour of phuket there are 4 destinations you can go in a day. So i suggest to visit Wat Chalong Temple it is very beautiful and peaceful i love it very much.

The Big Buddha Phuket :

The Big Buddha or Great Buddha of Phuket also include in Phuket City tour. Must visit place because Buddha Statue is on  Nakkerd Hills so place is amazing with panorama view of phuket. Also you can see caron beach from here. Amazing sky and landscape view from here. The Height of Big Buddha Phuket is 45 meters. and it complited in 2014.

Thailand is good place to visit in any season. In Phuket you can enjoy beautiful sea food and night life also. Lots of Bars and pubs at Bangla road. Phuket Walking street is most famous place for nightlife but Don't go with your children. Return from Bangkok to your home with lots of shopping. Yes in Bangkok huge market of garments , electronics and many more and cheapest too. But i recommend only buy Garments and Ladies purses. For electronics items and watches just avoid.

Phuket currency also TBH Thai Bath and language also Thai. Currency exchange available at regular distance so you can exchange your money anywhere. US dollor is best way to take less currency with you. Also Forex card is easy to carry and no loss of money during travel. Manage local travel to get good deal in your package. 

Ants are generally found everywhere.They are also in home garden area and also inside home. Two types of ants found near you are small ants and Giant Ants. They also have different colors in small and giants like black and red color ants. Big black ants are also called Black Carpenter Ant. Giant black ants found mostly in forest environment.Carpenter ant have known for extensive tunnel construction. They pass their food from lead to end. Carpenter Ants are good example of Unity and strength. They eat small Insects and predators.

In my farm and in my home garden lots of small ants and Carpenter Ants are seen. They are really good subject to shoot. If you go for some Unity theme photography then ants are good subject. A huge number of carpenter black ants found at one small place. These both pictures taken at my home. Giant black ants or Carpenter Ant on flower plant and i never miss chance to shoot them. I like to shoot Miniature photography. But have too much patience to shoot them. Also you have to be careful that they dont bite you. Well Small ants and Giant black carpenter ants bite is not poisonous to human but giant black ant bite is painful like a small needle inject.

Things Know about Carpenter Ants : 

• Carpenter ants are not generally harmful to humans but they can damage your home wood items. 
• Mostly ants are attract by sweet items in your home. 
• So place your sweet items like sugar, honey, Syrups , jelly etc at covered place or at height so ants cannot reach easily their.
• The Queen of carpenter ant is about 13 to 17 mm length. 
• After mating with male the queen looks for new nesting site. 
• The queen runs colony and if you kill queen of ants then the colony will not survive.

Above two images of Carpenter ants in black and white looks beautiful. These two photographs i put into Abstract Category. Well i love black and white imges but if you have subject in black color then i suggest to shoot in black and white that make your frame outstanding. I am testing my canon 100 mm macro lens for these images so may be clearity is low but i got good results afterall.

How to get rid of Ants ? : It is difficult to find ant nest. Follow ants and find the nest. You can protect your house by ants with good cleaning surface and use of termite protection liquid. Just block their paths with white cements or inject some acid or vinegar or liquid medical treatment for ants . Best way is Anti Termite Liquid but it smells lot for few days.

Rudabai Stepwell : In Gujarati language stepwell called Vav. Adalaj Stepwell is located in Adalaj village very near to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Stepwell also called stepped pond. Stepwell built in 5th to 19th centuries. Stepwell were made for collact rainwater. It is made from stones . Adalaj Stepwell is amazing example of architecture and designs. Thats why it attract more tourists in Ahmedabad.

History and things to know About Adalaj Stepwell :

• Adalaj stepwell also known as Adalaj Ni Vav or Rudabai Stepwell.
• It was built in 1498.
• Adalaj stepwell construction started by Rana Veer singh but after he killed in war so muslim king Mahmud Begada built it so the stepwell is Indo - Islamic architectural style.
• Adalaj stepwell is five stories deep. At the top it is octagonal in plan built on large carved pillars.
• The motif of flowers and graphics of islamic architectural bend well with symbols of Jain and Hindu Gods carved at various levels.
• Interesting thing to show carved from single block of stone is of Ami Khumbor and Kalp Vriksha.
• The temperature inside the well is 5 degree lower then outside temperature.

A story of Adalaj Stepwell :

Well like a Taj Mahal story there is a small story about Adalaj Ni Vav too. Adalaj stepwell construction started by king Rana Veer Singh of Vaghela Dynasty. Its kingdom is very small and his people suffering from water many times. Thatswhy he planned to built Stepwell and started it in 1498. Meanwhile Muslim king Mohammed Begda attack Rana Veer Singh Kingdom and Rana Veer Singh was killed in that war. Rana Veer Singh's Widow Rani Roopba also known as Rani Rudabai was beautiful lady. After death of Veer Singh she wanted perform Sati but Mohammed Begda offer her to marry with him. She agreed on condition of to complate the building of Stepwell. After complating building she jump into a well instead of Marry Mohammaed begda and end her life.

Adalaj Stepwell is located in Adalaj Village near Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. It is 18 km from North Ahmedabad and 5 Km from Gandhinagar city. It is old architectural design so it is added to Heritage buildings In Gujarat. Well managed now a days. A half day tour to Adalaj Ni Vav is must for tourist and worth to visit.  

Rhesus macaque monkey is one of the intelligent monkey in all spices. It is one of the old monkey spices. Its color is brown grey and it has pink color face. They generally found in India, china, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc. Monkey called Rhesus on the name of King Rhesus of Thrace. The females are smaller than the male. The Rhesus monkey is in a group of 20-200 monkey which includes males and females. Rhesus monkey using a various facial expression and vocalization to communicate. Rhesus monkey is very important for scientific experiments. As humans are made from monkey their genomes and anatomy are similar to humans. Also they are easily available due to their population. So Monkeys are been widely used in medical and biological research on human and animal health related topics.

Some Interesting Things to know About  Monkey : 

• Rhesus monkey is similar to humans as their DNA similar to humans. 
• The Rhesus monkey is very intelligent. 
• The genomes of Humans and Chimpanzee are 95 % similar as research by scientists. 
• Some monkeys are highly intelligent and some are stupid too. 
• Orang-Utans monkey is highly intelligent among all monkeys and also most intelligent  in animals. In Bangkok safari world there is a Orang-Utan show where two of these monkey have boxing fight and it was so funny show that kids and adults like it most. 
• In opposite Lemur is the stupidest monkey among all spices of monkey. Lemur is so stupid that it cant recognize its own reflection. The weakness of monkeys are mischievous and unreliable. 
• The Rhesus monkey factor is not limited to humans. Although the Great Apps have same blood group types like humans.

Monkey Bite :

• It is proven that monkey bite is deadly. 
• It cause anaphylactic  shock in humans and it can kill humans. 
• As discovered by scientist a monkey which come out at night is more dangerous and its bite can kill humans.
• Monkeys sleep sitting on trees. 
• Bonobo monkey is closest relative to humans according to research by scientists by matching DNA and genomes of humans and Bonobo monkey. 
• The difference between Humans and Monkeys is Hands. 
• Humans are not the only animals to possess opposable Thumbs.  

The animals in their Habitat :: Animals in their habitat OR Animals in their environment is one of the good siting for wildlife photographer. During my trip to Jim Corbett National Park i found lots of Rhesus monkeys and Rhesus monkey baby in their habitat. They are jumping all over on the trees. Some of them are on the ground and got something to eat at ground level. So i didn't miss that moment. Some good images i capture of Rhesus monkey which explain the behavior and habitats of monkey.  

At the end the baby Rhesus monkey baby try to get down from tree . Now he is able to climb and jump over trees without help of his mother.

 Location of All photos : Jim Corbett National Park, Dhikhala 

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

Shravan Purnima :  In India there are many types of different religion peoples. And they all celebrate all Festivals together thats the biggest strenght. Rakshabandhan or Rakhi festival is a Hindu Festival.  Rakshabandhan came every year on Purnima of Shravan month.Shravan is month of Lord SHIVA. In this month people pray Lord Shiva and make fast for a whole month. On the day of Rakshabandhan every sister tie rakhi to her brothers on wrist. Rakhi is tied for to protect and to defence brother . It is also for a good and happy life for brothers. After tie rakhi brothers will give some gifts to his sisters. 

Why Rakshabandhan Celebrated ? : The Myth of Rakshabandhan

Rakshabandhan is a Festival of VICTORY. There is a long story behind this festival. A long time ago there was a war between GODS and ASURAS. The war is going for 12 years long. In this war ASURAS win all 3 kingdom of Devaraj Indra. After loosing war Indra dev go to Brihaspati and ask for help. They told Indra to Raksha vidhan on Poornima of month of shravan. In this they pack a potali with strong chanting. Devraj Indra tie potali on his hand and war against ASURAS. In this war Devraj Indra win all 3 kingdom which he lost. So thats the story of a rakhi. So that every sister tie a Rakhi on his brother for a Victory in his life.

Now a days in a market you can found very colorful Rakhi. This festival is for increase love between brother and sister. This festival make relation deep between brother and sister. Sister tie rakhi and give blessing to brother for his better life. And brother promiss sister to protect and help her for a life. Rakhi is not just a thread but its a symbol of relation of  brother and sister is unbreakable.

All these rakhi photos are taken at my home. My wife purchase it for her brother. Its small Rudraksh build with a diamond (not real) looks nice. Also not so big so easily comfort with wrist. 

Gear used : Canon 80D, 100mm canon macro lens , External light