The last day of our second-year bachelors’ excursion in Rajasthan. We started our day with really good breakfast at our stay Ankur Resort. Today we were going visit one of the important rivers in Rajasthan Chambal. After yesterday’s mesmerizing sighting of tigers Mala and her Cub. Today we were going to look for some riverine birds, crocodile and ghara vala crocodile.
All of us 36 people were excited. We left the resort early morning in Ranthambore special canter. Till the forest began we were all enjoying breezing cold of January, some with music and some kambal. As soon as the forest patch started all went into the wildlifer mode trying to sight wild animals (birds, mammals etc.). we could able to see Nilgai, Chital, Sambar, Chinkara, Egyptian vulture, Blackwing kite etc.
When we reached Chambal, we got to know that along with boat ride we are going to get a chance to ride a camel. It was really amazing, some of us got scared, some tried some fell but we all enjoyed it. While some are getting a ride, few of us took out our binoculars and started to look for riverine birds. 1st River Lapwing, Then Ruddy shell duck, followed by gadwall, Pallas’s Gull, and my favorite Small Pratincole and Indian Skimmer. I was also able get really good flight capture of Lesser whistling ducks.
After exploring riverbed, we jumped into the boats. That could take us close to Pallas’s gull, Indian Skimmer, Ruddy shell Duck, Fresh water crocodile and star of the Chambal “Gharial”. Observing Gharial in its natural habitat was really amazing. The female Gharials were quite visible, could site 1 -2 on every river islands, but we were trying to look for male Gharial, that has Ghara on its snot the reason for its name. we could able to site only 2 in the middle of the river. one of it showcased ghara in action, we could be able to see the vibration produced by it on the water. Reading it in the books or watching in videos, then seeing it in live – so amazing.