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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

Camouflage Insect - Mantis  : Praying Mantis are very difficult to find because its color is green which is nature friendly color so even it stands on a tree you can have to see very sharply to find it. Mantis are insects of Mantodea order . It has more than 2500 spices in 30 families. The largest family is Mantidae. They generally found in forest area also in green tree leaves too. Mantis found worldwide.

About Praying Mantis Insect :

• They have triangular face or head.
• They have bulging eyes on neck.
• They have not wings to fly.
• Their forelegs are very useful for catching and gripping during hunt.
• Total 4 legs and 2 arms of Mantis.
• Color of Mantis is total green which helps to hide from predators and prey.
• Mantis are ambush predators or They are sit and wait predator.
• They mostly live for a year and lives in cooler environments.
• Adult Mantis lay eggs and die in autumn season.
• The closest relatives of Mantis are Cockroaches and Termites.

Mantis are silent killer. They wait for their prey and feed live prey within thier area. With the help of green color they can hide themselvs from others. Larger Mantis eat their own spices too. They feed lizards, frogs, fish and small birds. When Mantis are very hungry they migrate from their place to another.

I found Mantis at my farm first time. I planted mango trees in my farm and i see mantis first time on mango tree leaf. I surprised on creature of God. I also found it at another places too like Jessore sanctuary and Narmada River Dam outskirts. I frankly say that i don't like any insects not because of i am scared of it but not like . But when i got chance to get photograph then i don't miss it with a macro lens. I clicked Mantis photo when i was new with my canon 100mm macro lens so don't know proper use of macro lens and aslo dont use flash during macro photos.

Camera used : Canon 6 D , Canon 100 mm Macro lens.

Indian Peacock or Indian Peafowl is National Bird of India. It is swan size bird and very colorful bird with long tail of feathers. There are two types of spices fo Peafowl found. In India and Shri Lanka Indian peafowl found and Green Peafoul found in IndoChina and Burma. The male is known as Peacock and female is known as Peahen. It is large flying bird.

About Peafowl Bird :

• It has large and colorful feather with blue and green color.
• Its body about to 35 to 50 inch long and the tail is about 5 ft long.
• It is the largest flying bird.
• It average life is 20 years.
• In plumage Indian peacock blue and green plumage but green peacock has green and bronze body.
• Females are smaller then male.
• The peacock is the mount of Lord Kartikeya.
• Peafowl are eat mostly plant parts,seeds,flowers and insects etc.
• They put their nest on ground  but roost in trees.
• Baby of Peacock called Peachick.

Peacock is the symbol of Pride and Vanity. India declared Peacock as National Bird of India in 1963. Indian Peacock is one of the National Symbol Of India.

Two of photos are Peahen. Peahen photos taken at Thol Bird Sanctuary and Peacock photos taken at Jim Corbett National Park. Generally Peacock or Peafowl found at my village also near to me. It is very comman that you can found it in agriculture areas. The feather of Peacock is very colorful and it alwasy on Lord Krishna's Crown. Dancing peacock pictures are taken from far so low quality images but it is wonderful time that to see dancing peacock.

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

In the canidae family of Jackal there are three types of Jackals.

• Black Backed Jackal
• Side Striped Jackal
• Golden Jackal

GOLDEN JACKAL AT CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

Golden jackal is a carnivorous mammals. Native of Golden Jackal is southeast Europe, southeast Asia and south Asia. Golden Jackal looks like a Indian Wolf but it little bit smaller in size compared to Arabian Wolf and Indian Grey wolf. The Golden Jackal's coat can vary  in color from pale. In summer its color pale creamy yellow and dark tawny beige in winter. My first siting of Golden Jackal was in Jim Corbett National Park. I found a Golden Jackal during my morning safari at Corbett National Park.  Golden Jackal is from biological family Canidae. 

Golden Jackal facts :

• Golden Jackal is similar to Grey wolf but smaller in size.
• Shorter legs, short tail, muzzle is narrow and more pointed and less prominent forehead of Golden jackal in compare to Grey wolf.
• Golden Jackal Male length approx. 70-85 cm and Golden Jackal Female length around 68-73 cm.
• Male Golden Jackal weight around 6-13 kg and female Golden Jackal weight around 7-11 kg.
• Shoulder height for male and female golden jackal is 17-20 inch.
• The skull of Golden jackal is smaller then Grey wolf and also weaker too.
• Golden Jackal develops a horny growth on a skull which is known as " Golden Jackal's Horn ".
• The Jackal's fur is short and golden in color so its called Golden Jackal.
• The Jackal moults twice in a year. Spring Moult and Autumn Moult. The spring moult starts from February or middle March and Autumn moult starts in September mid.

Black Backed Jackal : 

During my Kenya trip i accidentally get Black backed Jackal at Lake Nakuru. Lake Nakuru is very famous for Rhinoceros  ( Rhino ). Here i found Rhino and also a Black Backed Jackal . Also African Vultures i found in a group. 

• Black backed jackal found in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and Kenya.
• It is listed in IUCN least concern spices.
• It is also called Fox.
• Black backed Jackal has two sub spices 

            1 ) Cape Black Backed Jackal 

                2 ) East African Black Backed Jackal

Side Striped Jackal   : 

Till Now i doesn't get side striped jackal but it also found in southern Africa. It is smaller than black backed Jackal.  I have no images of it and no more information about it.

Please feel free to comment and any suggestions for my blog article and any content related query. Also if you like then share it to your friends too.  

Scientific name of Golden Jackal is Canis Aureus

Camera gears used : Canon 6D with canon 100-400 mm lens

Kalij Pheasant is a bird of Phasianinae family.It generally found in forest area. It is a heavy body ground feeding bird which known as Galliformes in Order. It is also a game bird in Asia many years ago but now this bird is not use a s a game bird. Many years ago it spell also Kaleeje Pheasant. The Binomial Name of Kalij Pheasant is  Lophura Leucomelanos. A beautiful bird found in India at Corbett National Park also found many other areas but i don't know all places. I shoot at Jim Corbett National Park during safari ride in the morning.

Subspices of Kalij Pheasant :

Total nine subspices of Kalij Pheasant

• White Crested Kalij Pheasant
• Leucomelanos - nominate at Nepal
• Black Kalij Pheasant
• Oates' Kalij Pheasant
• Lineated Pheasant
• Black Backed Kalij Pheasant
• Horsfield's Pheasant
• Williams' Kalij Pheasant
• Crawfurd's Pheasant

About Kalij Pheasant :

• Size of Male kalij pheasant is 24-30 inch and female about  20-24 inch.
• In plumage Kalij Pheasant is glossy blue back and underpart have white rump.
• Crest is white in all spices.
• In some subspices underpart and tail are white with feathers bunch.
• Female Kalij Pheasant is brownish.
• Underpart of female is black and whitish.
• Kalij Pheasant is Least Concern spices of IUCN bird list.

Jim Corbett National park is one of the best place where you can found birds, mammals, reptors and reptiles too. While i am at safari i was looking for Tigers but on the road Kalij Pheasant Pair are wondering and i don't miss the chance though they are far from me. The result of images is very low but it easily helps to identify it. A record shot for me of Kalij Pheasant at Corbett national park.

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

Saw scaled Vipers snake also called Carpet Vipers . Its suborder of Reptiles is serpentes. It generally found in dry regions. It found in India, Shri Lanka, Pakistan, Middle East and Africa. Most snakebite death causes by viper snakes. Genus Echis is latin translation of Greek word Viper. My first siting of Viper snake at Jessore sloth bear sanctuary Gujarat. Viper snakes are one of the spices among 4 dangerous spices of snakes in the world. It is one of the Poisonous Snakes Found In Gujarat

Interesting things About Saw scaled Vipers snake : 

• Saw scaled viper are small snake.
• The largest spices length is almost below 90cm and the smallest is about 30cm. 
• The head is small and short but wide pear shaped and distinct from neck.
• The venom of this viper consists mostly of hemotoxins and cytotoxins. 
• Venom toxicity is different among different spices.
• They have characteristic threat display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce sizzling warning sound.
• They eat spiders, worms, scorpions, frogs, reptiles etc.
• Grey skin with black spots on body

Generally most of snakes are non poisonous but Viper snake is not. Venom of Viper snake may cause bleeding anywhere in the body and also hemorrhage. That may cause of death to humans and also animals.

Jessore sanctuary is really a good place to reptiles. Also many other snakes spices found here but i found one only. Well i was unable to watch it but one of my friend recognized it and we have a jackpot. Also at that time i have only my 50 mm lens with canon 6d. if i bring my macro then result will be sharp n clear n closer too. The skin of this viper snake is like black spot on body. Skin color is grey and dark grey or black spot on it. 

Gear Used : Canon 6 D body, Canon 50 mm lens

Singalila National Park is located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is at an altitude of almost 7000 ft. above sea level. I visit Singalila park on 6-12 Nov 2012 participating in Nature wanderers. It was a wonderful time to spend with the wild life photography experts Shivang Mehta(Delhi), Tejas soni(Gujarat) and Shantanu prasad(Kolkata). I joined first time in wild life photography tour and had a great experience. Geographic location of singalila national park is located in Singalila ridge. There are two rivers flowing through park. River Rammam and River Shirikhola. Sandakphu and Phalut are highest peak of west Bengal.

Trek To Sandakphu : Singalila National Park is a bird sanctuary cum wildlife sanctuary. A track route from Manebhanjan - Guiribus - Sandakphu covers Singalila park. Guiribus is a base of  very rar Red Panda but we are not very lucky to catch them. Weather is awesome to guiribus.5 am sunrise u can see and at 3 pm u can see the clouds take charge as seen above picture. After 3-4 pm u cant get sunlight. Also a big problems at these places of lights. They have only solar lights. A trek to sandakphu is starts from manebhanjan. You can go by trek (by walk) or you can take a ride of Land Rover from 1960s. Rate for Land Rover is around 5000 INR for round trip from Manebhanjan to Sandakphu and extra 1000 INR for night halt per night. These price rates are in year 2012-2015 so now a days price are different. 

About Sandakphu and Singalila National Park : Sandakphu is almost 11700 ft height. Such a great place it is as per location and weather. We stay at border of Nepal-India. At sandakphu you can see beautiful Himalayan Mountains Mt Kanchenjunga, Mt Everest, Kumbhkarna Mountain etc. At this height you may also find snow in winter season. Morning sunrise and evening sunset scenery are really beautiful with Himalayan range. Amazing view of Mt. Kanchenjunga the highest  peak of west Bengal. You can get beautiful pictures of morning golden light on Mt. Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan mountains. Also the night scene is amazing. You can see amazing night sky which full of stars and milky way. You can see milky way easily from sandakphu. You can do stargazing from Sandakphu. I had done my first star trail at sandakphu.

Amazing landscape of Himalayan mountain range with clouds. The layers of mountain range with snow on last looking awesome. Singalila national park is really good for birding, trekking and Landscape photography. Here you can take good Landscape photos of himalayan range. Also Sandakphu is good place for birds too, Here you can also take good macro shots of morning frost in winter. 

The land rover car of 60's ride to sandakphu from manebhanjan. It was joy ride in land rover.

Best Season To visit Sandakphu : Amazing weather in November. Extreme cold season. You stay beyond the clouds looks like you are in heaven. Every morning some snow frost on leaf of bush. Don't go their during rainy seasons. In rainy seasons leeches are come out and they are very dangerous for us. So not in a rainy season whenever u go their just prepare urself for every challenges. For birding you can go in Febuary to June.

Wildlife At Singalila National Park : Also sandakphu trek is beautiful for birding. Bird watchers may come in blooming season for birding. Singalila national park is beautiful place for bird watchers and wildlife photographers. Lots of birds like Himalayan vulture, scarlet minivet, khalij Pheasant, Blood pheasant, Parrotbills, Tits, Warblers, Finch, Fulvetta, owls etc and also mammals like Red Panda, Leopard cat, wild boar, Yellow throated marten, barking deer, Himalayan black bear, leopard, pangolin etc. 

Above image i don't know what actually it was but i guess that it was Buddhist small God and one type of praying to Lord Buddha. It was made by white sand and made like lord Buddha's Idol.

Morning frost in above image show the beauty of Singalila National Park. Also birds makes more beautiful to Singalila National park. Some birds i capture here like Dove, Jungle Owl, warblers, Tits etc.

How to reach Sandakphu : By train you can go from Kolkata overnight train to New jalpaiguri and from their you can go by car around 4-5 hours to Manebhanjan. Or you can take a flight to Bagdogra Airport and from their go by car to Manebhanjan. After Manebhanjan its up to you to go by trek or go by Range Rover Car. Car rentle is around 5000 - 6000 INR per round trip and may night charges extra 1000 INR and park fees camera fees and others are extra.

At the end the full Panorama view of Sandakphu . Panorama of Singalila National Park. Panorama Mt. Kanchenjunga.