Chinkara, the Indian Gazelle in Desert National Park Jaisalmer

We traveled across the vast Desert National Park, while on our way to Jaisalmer from Mt. Abu via Barmer. This wild life sanctuary is home to Blackbucks, Chinkaras, Desert foxes, Bengal Foxes, Indian Wolves, Desert Cats, Hares, etc.

The endangered Great Indian Bustard is the major attraction of Desert National Park of Jaisalmer and I was hoping to spot at least one. But all I could spot were some peacocks, peahen with its chick, Indian Gazelles, and Blackbucks.

Desert National Park is in tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites list in Category: natural since May 2009.

My eyes were scanning the vast desert stretches to spot at least some more rare breeds. At one place I thought I saw some of deer and asked the driver to halt. The driver almost instantly screeched to a halt frightening the poor animals away. And I just got this one shot. They seemed to be Chinkara, Indian Gazelle.

Chinkara Indian Gazelle

Thus we learned our first lesson: halt gently.

Another 50 km of drive and we spotted another small group of Chinkaras. They could sense us even from that long distance and were alert. Constantly wagging their tails, the nervous Chinkaras were frequently glancing at me to assess what I was up to. I clicked and clicked till they walked out of sight.

Chinkara_3

Chinkara in Desert National Park Jaisalmer

Three handsome Chinkaras
stood gazing at me,
one got bored
and walked out of sight.

Their smooth, glossy, reddish-buff summer coat fur shined. This shade of fur color helped them hide and camouflage well in its surroundings and the predators. Their white bellies were a contrast to their skin color. The faces had distinct dark chestnut stripes from the corner of the eye to the muzzle.

Chinkara Desert National Park

Two handsome Chinkaras
stood gazing at me,
one got scared
and walked out of sight.

Chinkara Desert National Park

Chinkara in Desert National Park Thar Desert

One handsome Chinkara
stood gazing at me
He said: come on shoot
I know it is just a lens!

Related post: Jaisalmer Places to Visit and Things to Do.

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