Bikaner, Rajasthan:

Egyptian Vulture

Once I had visited the major sights of Bikaner, I went on a wildlife safari into the surrounding countryside.

During my days in Bikaner, I stayed in the comfortable Vinayak Guest House whose owner happens to be true wildlife enthusiast Jitu Solanki. He showed me some great birding spots including the famous carcass dump of Jorbeer where you can find literally thousands of raptors. I saw Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Himalayan Vultures, Cinereous Vultures, Black-eared Kites, Eastern Imperial Eagles, Steppe Eagles (maybe some Tawny Eagles too?), Long-legged Buzzards, and Laggar Falcons. Furthermore, we spotted some other nice birds including Indian Coursers, Cream-coloured Coursers, and the rare Yellow-eyed Pigeons. In addition to birds, I enjoyed the beautiful Chinkaras (or Indian Gazelles) and Nilgai standing in the golden grasslands. I really had a fantastic time!!

Indian Gazelle at dusk

Black-eared Kite

Steppe Eagle

Griffon Vultures

Yellow-eyed Pigeons

Egyptian Vulture

Red-naped Ibises

Red-naped Ibis

Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Laughing Dove

Laughing Dove

male Variable Wheatear

female Variable Wheatear

female Variable Wheatear

juvenile Egyptian Vulture

Indian Gazelle

Indian Gazelle

Nilgai

Nilgai

Indian Gazelles

Indian Gazelles

Indian Gazelles

male Desert Wheatear

Indian Gazelle

Indian Gazelle

Indian Silverbill

Griffon Vulture

juvenile Himalayan Vulture

Griffon Vultures and juvenile Himalayan Vulture

juvenile Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, and juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle

juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle

juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle

Griffon Vultures

Griffon Vultures

Cinereous Vulture

Cinereous Vulture

Griffon Vultures

Griffon Vultures

Cinereous Vulture

Griffon Vulture

Egyptian Vultures

Cinereous Vultures

Cinereous Vultures

Griffon Vultures and Cinereous Vulture

Griffon Vultures

Egyptian Vultures

Laggar Falcon

Rosy Starling

Yellow-eyed Pigeon

Black-eared Kite

Black-eared Kite

Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle

Eastern Imperial Eagle

Steppe Eagle and Griffon Vulture

Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle and Griffon Vulture

Griffon Vultures

juvenile Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Tawny Eagle?

Steppe Eagles

juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle and Steppe Eagle

Egyptian Vulture

Laggar Falcon

Long-legged Buzzard

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

Southern Grey Shrike

Long-legged Buzzard

Long-legged Buzzard

Isabelline Wheatear

Indian Courser

Indian Courser

Indian Courser

landscape

landscape

dark Long-legged Buzzard

Indian Gazelle

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Coursers

Laggar Falcon

Finally I had to leave Bikaner and Jitu organized a car with driver who would bring me to Jaisalmer via Khichan, famous for being visited by thousands of Demoiselle Cranes during the winter months.