INDIA 2010 : Keoladeo NP day 5 and Fatehpur Sikri

Nov 21 – For our last morning in Keoladeo we had to cover a large distance. Peddling as quickly as we could we made it in about 35 minutes to the Mansarovar track. A Jungle Cat stalking a Rufous-tailed Hare was exciting to watch but less rewarding for the feline.

Hundreds and hundreds of waterfowl would arise from the marshes and circle around before dropping back in. Amongst a small group of Common Pochards we found an lone male Northern Shoveler, which was a new duck for the trip list. Intent on finding a Dusky or Smoky Warbler we checked and listened all along the track hedgerows, often seeing Chiffchaff or hearing Greenish Warbler or a Bluethroat. Jag located a small phylloscopus warbler which sat in the open on a grass stalk and convinced us that it was a Plain Leaf Warbler.

Back on our trusty rickshaws we made good time returning until we reached Sappan Mari. Here a large group of Painted Storks (above), egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills and a Great White Pelicans had drawn a fair sized audience, and rightly so! We all watched the feeding frenzy at close range until a Greater Spotted Eagle flew over getting most to the gathering to take to the wing.

As we peddled by the spot where we had the python the afternoon before, we slowed down, and were able to locate it again. This time it was stretched right out making it easier to calculate its length. We all agreed that it was at least 12 feet and Sherry and Arden got to see what they missed yesterday.

Following yet another excellent lunch we said our goodbyes to the wonderful staff at the Bagh and headed east towards Agra.

At the entrance to the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri (above) we picked up Vijay Singh, not the golfer or even a long lost relative, but our local guide for our visit to Agra. Sikri was the first planned city of the mughals built in 1569 by the 3rd Mughul, Akbar. It is an 8 square kilometer medieval town built of red sandstone showcasing Rajasthan architecture. No cement or wood was used, just stone and lime mortar. In the House of Lords, yes they have a House of Commons as well, we were shown interlocking sandstone. While the number of people estimated to live here at its height is a little dubious, it is known that between 3-5000 people moved with the Mughal.

We astounded our ‘city’ guide Vijay, when most of us noticed a Black Ibis (above) flying beside the bus, but going in the opposite direction. Asking the driver to pull over and stop, we piled out and soon located the bird. A juvenile. Scanning around, three more could be seen in the distance including an adult pair. One flew towards the the others, and soon we were able to approach a couple of them as they feed in an ploughed field, prodding their narrow bills into the soft soil.

From here it was onto Agra and city congestion, weaving our way through of hordes of people wandering about (where are they going?) and those out buying vegetables for dinner from vendors lined up in the street! The Taj Mahal beckons!