Himalayan Griffons @ Ranthambhore

[Vijay Rajan]

I’m posting here after a long long hiatus indeed but hope to make amends !

The Himalayan Griffons (Gyps himalayensis) / Ranthambhore / February 2013.

I made this image while tracking the elusive & legendary Machli (T-16) in Zone 4 of Ranthambhore. I found them perched atop a tree (presumably after having had their fill) while a huge flock of Indian Vultures (a.k.a Long-billed vultures) were feeding on a Chital carcass below. Initially all of us assumed these 2 individuals to be Juvenile Long-billed vultures since this species is seldom sighted in the plains / warmer climes.

My naturalist friends there confirm that this was the first recorded sighting of this species @ Ranthambhore in over a decade.

Although it was great to sight 9 Tigers in 7 safaris (including Machli), I guess my first ever sighting of the Himalayan Griffons was the real icing on the cake !

Aperture Priority
f 5.6
1/1000
Ev.Metering
ISO 320
+1/3 EC
Focal Length 400 mm
Canon 60 D
Canon 400 mm f/5.6 handheld
Almost a Full Frame image (10% crop for compo)
DPP : Apart from a bit of Gaussian blur applied on the distracting branches, smart sharpening, recovery of highlights done on this image.

C & C please.

Thanks !

Vijay