Uran Birding 23rd Dec ’06 & Quantum Turbo 2×2 External Battery Pack

Saturday 23rd Dec ‘06…woke up really early 4 A.M, nice cuppa filter coffee and started out at 0520H to Uran for a shoot along with Rakesh Dhareshwar. I had met Rakesh in September during a visit to Bangalore, at Hebbal Lake. He uses a D200 and it was wonderful to share notes.We reached Uran by 0630H. The route was the usual but saw major highway building activity enroute (ahead of Palm beach road). Most of the vegetation by the sides of the road have been chopped off. Uran itself was almost completely dry. Dunno if the Prawn farms are to blame.

We parked opposite the JNPT police station and went into what I call “The Prinia Alley”. Usually we have always found small Prinias and Munias here. By the time I had my first shot , Rakesh was already on his 43rd! One thing I learned from him and observed, he is very very quick to accquire and seamlessly switches between tripod and handheld mode. Something I need to learn to do too. Did not see many birds immediately but, venturing a little ahead we came across a little water and plenty of waders and, also a small flock of Brahmini Ducks.

I tried for the very first time the Quantum Turbo 2×2 external battery pack. (Adorama Quantum Turbo 2×2 Link) I used the CKE cable to connect the Batteries to the SB-800. You do need the AA batteries on the flash to power the LCD and, the CKE cable connects to the HT voltage point inside the flash and powers it up super quick. With the 2×2, you can actually power two flashes or one camera and one flash. I had put on my flash with the Better Beamer and, to stress the flash went into HSC mode. Happy to report that the Quantum keeps up very very well ( very fast recycle times) and I got almost all my shots.

Black Wing Stilt Splash

Ah..another interesting thing about the resident Marsh Harrier..there was this marsh harrier and, he would swoop to check us out, and then disappear. The guy caught me unready everytime but, Rakesh got a great grab. Thats something to shoot for the next time.

On the way back along the track we got this Grey Wagtail

Manju, who was hanging a little ahead spotted the elusive and flighty Red Adavadat or Red Munia. We had always spotted them on this trail, but never got a good shot. I think Rakesh’s presence today was very lucky and, we did get a coupla’ good grabs of this cutie finally.

By now it was past 10AM and getting warm. I drove around to the point where I always see a Black Shouldered Kite. Rakesh jokes I have an appointment with birds!!! How I wish it were true. Just that if one visits a place often enough and observes well…well you can get lucky with some more consistency! Sadly the pond where I saw my first Osprey is all gone. I saw and shot of my first Osprey on my very first trip to Uran along with Adesh Shivkar ..Da UBER BIRDER a.k.a Addie the Birdie.

Osprey at JNPT Uran, 2005

Lots of new construction happening and, JNPT will be changing from what we know. Basically goodbye to the habitats 🙁
Here are pics from last year of the Black shouldered kite mating and a few others. Geeze… what a beauty these raptors. To quote from the Rock Hudson , Gina Lollobrigida movie “Come September” ….” Gee what a beaut..sure dont see many like that..bet thats the fastest thing on the Road! “…perhaps replacing “Road” with “Sky” would be more apt in this situation 🙂
Black Shouldered Kites Mating

We wrapped up for the day and headed out to the viewpoint for some much needed sandwiches and tea that we had brought along.

Basically, was great shooting with you Rakesh !