Painted stork

It has been a marvellous day. We left Agra early and called in at a store specialising in wonderful pashminas and scarves. Well. Christmas presents - or that's the excuse.

On to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, another magnificent Mughal palace. I have photos in abundance...... But this is blip.

On then to Bharatpur and our one night hotel. Full of character - did somebody say Marigold ?

The special reason for visiting this area is the Bird Sanctuary of Keoladeo. We went round on foot and in rickshaws, with guides who love their park and had years if experience with the birds. My photo is of a Painted Stork. We saw many colonies and birds in flight but I rather liked this chap's expression :-) Jackals, monkeys, assorted butterflies, purple herons. And two sorts of Kingfisher. And I even got photos. My favourite and most special photo was of an owl but it was a bit blurry. We're going back at 6.30 tomorrow - before breakfast. Then on to the Tigers.