Since Supriya started using Canon R5, the last 6 months have been a phase shift in her photography. The eye-tracking with 45 megapixel sensor is just killing it. Combine that with 800 mm prime of Canon and it was becoming almost impossible for my pics to stand any chance in front of hers. Even my 400 f/4 Canon prime lens with 7D Mark ii body couldn’t deliver the results like that. Finally I booked my R5 body too and the plan was to take it to Hampi and Old Magazine House to do some field testing alongwith the Canon EF-RF Adapter with my 400 f/4. Unfortunately, the delivery of the camera did not happen before the trip and I had to go with my existing gear only. Last time when we visited Hampi it was with the 400/5.6 with 70D body. This time both of us are with upgraded gears so we expected our photos to be better than what they were 7 years ago, and yes, they turned out to be better too. We stayed once again at JLR Hampi, but this time we booked the Suite instead of the cottage.
Duration of Stay: 2 nights
Locations visited in their safari: Hampi ruins monolithic bull, Tungabhadra canal, Daroji Bear Sanctuary. Also, some underground hide photography at their site.
Enjoy the video and pics below.
Bay-backed Shrike
Long-tailed Shrike
Painted Sandgrouse male
Painted Sandgrouse female
Laughing Dove
Grey Francolin
Jungle Bush Quail male
Common Babbler
Indian Silverbill
Painted Spurfowl male
White-browed Bulbul
Common Hoopoe
Blue-faced Makoha
Sloth Bear
Yellow-throated Bulbul
Sloth Bear
Indian Peafowl female
Shikra Juv
Shikra male
Indian Eagle Owl
Indian Eagle Owl chicks
Spotted Owlet
Little Cormorant
Laughing Dove
Western Reef Egret (intermediate morph)
Red-vented Bulbul
Indian Palm Squirrel
Indian Palm Squirrel
Common Babbler
Blyth's Reed Warbler
Rose-ringed Parakeet female
Rufous Treepie
Red-rumped Swallow
Plum-headed Parakeet male
TRIP 1: January 2015
Can photography ever be described in terms of ROI (Return
on Investment)? I don't know about others, I don't know whether it is
appropriate or not, but this is one of the perils of being an MBA graduate - I
always think in terms of ROI.
How much I invest and how many new species I could add to
my life-list, this question definitely haunts me before investing. However once
I find any new species, all this is not even a point of concern. The happiness
to see a new species through my viewfinder is far more than any pinch I feel in
my pockets.
Added 7 to my life-list of birding, this birding trip was
combined with a long drive. My enthusiasm to drive is slowly playing a second
fiddle to birding. However this time it was a sudden invitation and my 9 year
old car had to go through a test, again. Total drive of close to 1000 KM with
some testing road conditions near the industrial area of Bellary and some
off-road experience for birding, the car fared fairly well. The stay was
awesome, Jungle Lodges and Resorts have less of surprises. Even though I missed
the Painted Sandgrouse, nevertheless I was able to add 7 others to my
life-list.
Fuel Expenses: Rs. 5000
Passengers: 4 adults + 1 kid
Car: Ford Fiesta Petrol
Driving Condition: Fast Driving with AC always on.
amazing pictures..i love those juveniles ones, that purple male and laughing dove and not to forget that eagle owl..good ones..!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! Hampi is beautiful for birding and also for the architecture if somebody is interested in that.
DeleteNice Pics !
ReplyDeleteThanks Puneet! It was a wonderful experience there.
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