So, I've always dreamt of exploring Bharatpur, the ultimate Birder’s Paradise. As a wildlife enthusiast, my journey started with birding in Bangalore parks, upgraded camera gears with frequent trips to Ranganathittu, and honed my skills in the Western Ghats, all leading up to my adventure in Bharatpur. From capturing sharp images to diving into the world of creative and artistic photography, it's been quite a ride, heavily inspired by the works of Mr. Ganesh H Shankar.
Being a nature and wildlife photographer is about more than just visiting dream spots whenever. It's about feeling that internal growth and deciding to take the plunge. For me, that moment arrived in January 2017, and I decided to head to Bharatpur with a crew of friends.
Day 1
On our four-day trip, Day 1 was all about exploring the park , understanding the habitat, and observing these majestic birds through binoculars. Post-lunch, we strolled around, made plans for the next three days, and geared up with full-day cycle rickshaws, packed lunches, and my arsenal of camera equipment - two bodies, a super-telephoto lens, telephoto lens, a couple of wide-angle prime lenses, and trusty old kit lenses, plus a tripod.
Day 2
Up at 5:30 am, we met our guide, Mr. Bablu, at the Keoladeo National Park gate. With a full-day ticket, we entered just as the sun was rising, ready to immerse ourselves in the wonders of Bharatpur. We sipped chai at the mid-point, watching the sunrise, then set up shop near the temple area to capture the great white pelicans.
The Challenge
Excitement was at its peak until my camera's card pin decided to play hide and seek. First card full, tried to switch, and bam! It got stuck. No quick fix, and the nearest Nikon service center was in Jaipur. Jaipur wasn't on our agenda. So, there I was, with my primary camera, a Nikon D4, out of commission.
I soldiered on with my second body, a D600, for the morning session. Lunch at the watchtower was the moment for a bird list check. Off we went to the Sarus Cranes' block, and lo and behold, another challenge - the D600’s shutter button decided to join the rebellion!
Blessing in Disguise
Enter Mr. Bablu, our guide and newfound hero, who graciously offered his spare camera, a Nikon D300. Crisis averted! We spent the day with binoculars, and by evening, Bablu had fetched his camera.
Why a 'blessing in disguise'? Well, sometimes the best in us comes out when faced with unexpected challenges. Prepared with top-notch gear, I now had only one camera - a D300, untested until then.
Day 3 and Day 4
Starting early on Day 3 and Day 4, it felt like a real Day 1 for me. Over those days, I delved into making natural history images and tried my hand at creating some abstract, creative shots. The moments with Sarus Cranes were pure magic.
As we packed up to head back to Jaipur, I looked back at the tour. Despite the challenges, it was immensely satisfying. The situation pushed me to realize that the camera gear, be it high-tech or mid-range, doesn't matter. It's about the skill of making it work for you. No matter how prepared you are, there's always an unexpected challenge waiting. And that's the true test of turning any situation into the best possible outcome.
I won't spill all the beans about Day 3 and Day 4. Check out the gallery below for that. Hope you enjoyed this tale of my first Bharatpur adventure.
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