Keoladeo National Park
Nestled in the heart of Rajasthan, India, Keoladeo National Park—often called Keoladeo Ghana National Park—is a true paradise for bird lovers. Picture this: thousands of native, resident, and migratory birds filling the skies, especially during the winter months. It’s like a grand avian festival, as countless species escape the harsh Eurasian winters and flock to this serene sanctuary. With over 400 species of birds recorded, every visit feels like a treasure hunt for rare and beautiful winged wonders.
(This photo story is best viewed on a bigger screen and not your phone).
This place has a fascinating history. Back in 1899, it was originally a duck-shooting reserve created by the ruler of Bharatpur State. Thankfully, thanks to the tireless efforts of the legendary ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali, it transformed into the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in 1956. Over the years, it gained well-deserved recognition—becoming a protected sanctuary in 1971 and officially earning the title of Keoladeo National Park in 1982. Its incredible biodiversity didn’t go unnoticed, and in 1985, it was crowned a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it’s not just a park; it’s a living testament to the beauty and resilience of nature.
I have been meaning to visit these magical wetlands for a couple of years now and thanks to the awesome planning of Deb, I finally managed to spend five breathtaking days shooting some of the unique avian friends.
Out of more than 200 usable pictures, I have managed to bring it down to 50. Will let the images speak for themselves.
Foggy mornings during winter welcome you. If you are like me (anything under 15 degrees is the freezing point), then layer up.
E-rickshaws are your best bet to travel the length, multiple times. We were in the park from 6 AM to 6 PM, every day.
Getting the right guide is also important. Ours, Jeetu, comes from a generation of amazing folks helping people like us. His grandfather even worked with Dr. Salim Ali.
Sunrise and sunset, will see photographers fight for space when a subject is available right behind the sun. My favourite subject ended up being the Cormorants and Egrets.
An unplanned chai stop one morning ensured we spotted something that’s very rare, a Hyena. While I am not into mammals, my brain suddenly went “Myna ko chod, Hyena ko dekh”. Oh yeah, my Hindi improved by about 20% during this trip. And Tamil by about 15%, thanks to Ganapathy and Sreekanth.
Reflections and getting down to the subjects (easy to say, tough to do at 45 with bad knees) are good ways to compose some of these subjects.
Spotted deer with a White-throated Kingfisher
Great Egret
Bar-headed Geese
Egrets and Spoonbills
Red-crested Pochards
I have always loved action shots. While one might think that in a place like this, it will be easy to get these shots, you have to wait for hours for such shots.
Gray Heron
Painted Storks
Spotted Owlets being curious about an intruder
River Tern
Oriental Darter
Spreading your legs can be…your last action.
Speaking of which, feeding shots are another favourite of mine.
Purple Heron
Oriental Darter
Painted Storks
Pied Kingfisher
Painted Stork
Foreground bokeh is also a fun composition.
Oriental Darter
Glossy Ibis
Did you know Pelicans also have a Dalmatian variety?
The largest flying birds, Sarus cranes, are hard to shoot in these conditions, foggy and far. Getting the three to put their heads up at the same time, requires a lot of patience as well.
My favourite of them all, were the Great White Pelicans. They absolutely just lit up the wetlands every time they landed. I am thrilled with these captures.
If I have to sum up my experience at Bharatpur, it was as thrilling as these Storks doing a lungi dance.
It isn’t always about the big birds or action shots. If you observe keenly, you will be able to spot the little ones as well. It was almost poetic to get this shot of the Yellow-throated Sparrow. This is the bird that started it all for Dr. Salim Ali.
That’s it, folks; I have more pictures and stories that some of you will have the pleasure (or pain) of experiencing when I meet you. Also, my Hindi, Tamizh and the blaring wedding music almost every night might find their way into my next stand-up set.
Hope you enjoyed this photo story. Cheers!
Amazingly gorgeous pictures! Can’t have enough of these. What an eye for beauty Nanu❤️