Bharatpur & Tal Chhapar | Memorable Moments

Among the many images that did not turn out the way it was planned and whole lot of ones that failed because of bad execution there were some moments in the trip that did stand out and the images in this post i think did some justification to what i saw but definitely lesser than what i originally had in mind.

Every day the sunset in Chhapar was a sight to behold when it used to light the grasslands in the horizon with golden glow. Each day i used to spend 45 minutes watching the sun set having thought of some ideas on the previous day on images that can be made at sunset and hoping atleast some of the ideas i had in mind would pan out. The number of  variables that goes wrong while trying to execute some of the ideas is just crazy.

- Last Light -
© Mahesh Devarajan

Here is another planned image but turned out a bit differently. The original idea was black buck sitting with sunset over the horizon like above. Some images you develop an interest over a period. The following one is like that. Initially i was not so happy with the space in center but after some time i like the image for the same reason.

- Settling Down -
© Mahesh Devarajan

This was one more moment which i think i would remember for long. Black shouldered kite hovering in the sky scanning for prey in the grassland. This was situation where i was making eye contact with the bird when it was hovering just on top of my head.

- Black Shouldered Kite -
© Mahesh Devarajan

Tal Chhapar | Gems of Grassland

Churu district of rajasthan hosts this lovely sanctuary. When driving to chhapar district initially i was seeing the land topology outside and i was slightly disappointed. Sparse and dried out trees in a scattered manner and i was hoping for flat grassland. Around a corner turn suddenly the terrain changed and the driver simultaneously announced we have entered the sanctuary. We also saw the black bucks grazing in the sanctuary and my mind opened up to the different photo opportunities that were possible. With an open grassland one of the beautiful impact is the fact the horizon is visible in all directions and this opens up possibilities of making dramatic images in setting sun. This sanctuary though self contained gives good options in terms of planning and creating images.

Here is a roller puffed up to beat the morning cold that would greet us in the morning when we start the safari.

- As it Comes -
© Mahesh Devarajan

This is type of shot i had visualized before the trip. Black bucks exhibiting symmetry while grazing.

- Grassland Parade -
© Mahesh Devarajan

True gem of grassland. A lone black buck stands amidst glowing grassland in morning light.

- Lonely Gem -
© Mahesh Devarajan

Tal chhapar sanctuary is largely a grassland but in isolation it has perches where birds do a temporary stopover. The setup is like a model doing a ramp walk. You could go around in all directions and make images in different angles and as long the person is in vehicle the bird is very tolerant.

- Questions of Life -
© Mahesh Devarajan

The isabelline shrike has a fashion connection. Isabelline is word from fashion world referring to pale brown color. It was thought to be in the same species category as Red tailed shrike.

- Isabella -
© Mahesh Devarajan