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Short Eared Owl is generally found in grassland. It is in family Strigidae. Its ear cannot be visible in regular pose so may be it called short eared owl. You can see its ears only in defensive pose of it. It is generally found in open area and grasslands. But the color of feathers is simillar to dry grassland so to find it is very difficult in grassland. In Gujarat it found in Little Rann of Kutch mostly and easily. Little rann of kutch is very popular place for birding and specially for Wild Ass.

Description of Short Eared Owl :

• It is medium size owl.
• Length of short eared owl is 34-43 cm and weight is 475 gm aprrox. 
• It has short , black and strong bill.
• It has big head, large eyes, wings are broad and a short neck.
• It is  described as moth and bat like in flight.
• Its wingspan almost 33 - 43 inch.

Some Facts to know about Short Eared Owl :

• It is simillar in looks with Long Eared Owl just difference is ear tuff of long eared owl can easily visible.
• It breeds in Europe, North and south America , Asia and Caribbean etc.
• It is known to relocate to area of higher population of its food.
• Breeding season is once in  a year around in March or April in Northen Hemisphere.
• It nests on ground in medow and it made by grass and vagitations.
• They hunts mostly at night and mouse or rat is favorite food of its. It also feed small mammals like squirell, mole, rat, bats etc.
• It is listed endangered in Mexico.
• 4 to 7 eggs approx. found in Short eared owl clutch and eggs  incubated  by female in 20-35 days approx.
• It is partially migratory.
• Call of short eared owl is waowk....waowk......waowk or toot.....toot......toot . During breeding it sounds also like eeee - yerp sound.

Birds of Little Rann of Kutch :

Little rann of kutch is very well known for Wild Ass. But its is heaven for birding too. Lots of migratory birds and Specially Raptors found during winter season . Short Eared Owl is also resident bird and breeds here too. Lrk is sanctuary that you can take 360 degree horizons view. Beautiful sunset and sunrise locations here. There are also many outskirts area near LRK is good for birding and horizons photos.

How to Reach LRK :  Little rann of kutch is about 165 km from Ahmedabad. You can go by own car inside sanctuary. 

Nearest Airport is Ahmedabad.

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

Phuket is on southern province of Thailand. Phuket is the largest island of Thailand. Phuket is near to Krabi Island and connected with Sarasin bridge. You can go by road and also Ferry service by sea too. Phuket is another beautiful place for beach lovers. Lots of blue sea and white sand beaches in this Phuket island. An island tour by ferry and by speedboat you can enjoy. Also some good hotels at some island so you can enjoy night stay at island and that is a good experience. Phuket area is 576 sq.km. Phuket is on major trading route between India and China. My tour to Pukhet is really amazing with family.

Phuket Weather :

Phuket weather throught year is pleasant. Average temperature of Phuket is 25 to 35 degree at day time and at night it fall about 5 to 10 degree. So average temperature of Phuket is around 30/25 degree. Monsoon season in Phuket starts in June to October. Best season to visit Phuket is November to February.  

4 Island Tour Phuket :

By ferry boat you can enjoy beautiful view with blue sky. There are also some snorkeling sites here also and some water activities too. So if u go by ferry you have to change your boat in between.  Phuket is prefect holiday destination for beach lovers and also nature island lover. Also its cheap holiday destination in compare to other foreign destinations. 

Price for Phi Phi island tour to phuket is around 1400 THB to 2400 THB depends on places they cover. You can book direct and get good deal on www.phukettoursdirect.com/ 

Best Beach Phuket to Visit :

Phuket is one of the best place for beach lovers. At 4 island tour there are best beaches to stay and have an beach night. Also some good beaches near city are Pa Tong beach, Karon beach, Rawai beach etc. 

Phuket Tour Itinerary :

Day 1  Phuket city tour with Gems Gallery and Phuket Fantasea Show.

           Karon Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint, Promthep Cape Sunset View

           Point, Wat Chalong, Gems Gallery visit and evening visit Fantasea show.

Day 2 Full Day Phi-Phi Tour by Big Boat include local lunch

          inclusive of Insurance, Life jacket, Local Thai Lunch, Fresh fruits on

          season, Soft drink, Tea/Coffee & Snack served on-board, English speaking guide

         on cruise (Tour covers: Phi-Phi Don + Phi-Phi Ley, Maya Bay, (pass-by

         sightseeing), Viking Cave (pass-by Sightseeing), Ton Sai Bay, Monkey beach

         (pass-by Swimming)

Day 3  Transfers from Phuket Hotel to Phuket International Airport

Amazing island tour from speed boat. Also weather is good here in every season except monsoon.

Phuket Nightlife : 

Well in Phuket nightlife is similar to Pattaya and Thailand. During day time you can not find any pubs and dance bar but at night the whole situation is changed. Pubs , bars, live shows all are active at night and also go go girls. Here sex is legal so any single man want to enjoy. There are lots of massage parlor on road with foot massage , body massage etc. They are offering cheap massage but they want just your money. If you want to good Thai massage in Phuket then find 5 star hotel and go inside hotel massage or if you are staying in good hotel then they also provide good therapist at hotel. But if you want some happy ending massage then go to Christin Massage in Phuket. A pink color building and christin massage is good for single man. Don't go any other massage parlor for happy ending because there are also some ladyboys you can not differentiate them.  There is also a walking street in Phuket like Pattaya where you can enjoy nightlife of Phuket.

Places to visit in Phuket city tour :: 

During Phuket city tour of half day many good places to visit. 

• Patong beach is one of the best place. 
• Also a Caron beach is good option. 
• Phuket Fantasea Show is major attractions of Phuket.
• The Buddhist Temple Wat Chalong,
• Gems gallery and The white Big Buddha statue Phuket  is a good view point. 
• Dolphin show is really awesome and i must say don't miss it. 
• Phuket Fantasea show tickets rates are 2200 THB for adult and 2000 THB for kids. Note that in Phuket Fantasia show they are not allow mobile or any camera inside so u can not take photos videos during show and put them in locker so plan accordingly.

Phuket Resorts and Hotel :

Lots of good and nice category hotels and resorts in Phuket. Once again i suggest don't waste your money in Hotels if you are good traveller and want to explore the place. In Phuket  i stayed in Ashlee Heights Patong Hotels & Suits . We search this hotel near to Vegetarian Food on walking distance. Hotel is good , clean. Find out on google for best rating hotels and resorts as per your choice. Most of good hotels in Patong Phuket.

The Wat Chalong temple.

The below image shows Wat chalong Temple Phuket. During city tour of phuket there are 4 destinations you can go in a day. So i suggest to visit Wat Chalong Temple it is very beautiful and peaceful i love it very much.

The Big Buddha Phuket :

The Big Buddha or Great Buddha of Phuket also include in Phuket City tour. Must visit place because Buddha Statue is on  Nakkerd Hills so place is amazing with panorama view of phuket. Also you can see caron beach from here. Amazing sky and landscape view from here. The Height of Big Buddha Phuket is 45 meters. and it complited in 2014.

Thailand is good place to visit in any season. In Phuket you can enjoy beautiful sea food and night life also. Lots of Bars and pubs at Bangla road. Phuket Walking street is most famous place for nightlife but Don't go with your children. Return from Bangkok to your home with lots of shopping. Yes in Bangkok huge market of garments , electronics and many more and cheapest too. But i recommend only buy Garments and Ladies purses. For electronics items and watches just avoid.

Phuket currency also TBH Thai Bath and language also Thai. Currency exchange available at regular distance so you can exchange your money anywhere. US dollor is best way to take less currency with you. Also Forex card is easy to carry and no loss of money during travel. Manage local travel to get good deal in your package. 

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.  

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