The Birder…!
I have always believed that “the best job is when your passion earns for you.” Destiny got me to meet someone who is a living example of the above.
At a heritage property in Bharatpur, I was walking with a naturalist who was showcasing the property. Boasting hundreds of peacocks, he got me interested in many an avifauna of the 40-acre property just near the Bharatpur bird sanctuary. I was enthralled by his revelations about these seemingly unimportant winged creatures and asked him to get me to meet someone who can show me around the National park (and not the sanctuary, as I thought).
Earlier I had been told that you can hire a rickshaw from the entry and he will show you around for a paltry of INR 150. As recommended I reached the gate of Keoladeo National Park at the daybreak. I called him and in front of me was a very ordinary-looking “guide” who was going to be my window into the world of birds for the next few hours. He was carrying a very fine telescope and binoculars.
We mounted the rickshaw and started on the sojourn, which was one of the best experiences of my life. Life changed in the next four hours. I was now witnessing 100 plus species of birds from India, Europe, Russia, and god knows which part of the world.
My Guide, Ansar Khan, had put years of his knowledge as an immensely powerful experience for me. Little did I know that he was 3rd in ranking in India after sitting 1135 species of birds in India and 2800 in the world. Every picture of birds, educating people about the migratory birds in the national park was clicked by him.
And he had specially come for this experience after 9 months of COVID era. It was all destined as I say!!
His father was a ranger in the same forest. Ansar is a third-generation “birder” who was born and brought up inside the park. Now he was inducting his 9-year-old son who can already tell more than 400 species of birds In the initial days he forayed into hospitality and cultural tours, but his heart was in wildlife and birds. It was all very mechanical and boring for him. He missed the forest.
The life-changing moment came for him when his photographs of the park and a particular picture of Siberian cranes were selected for a coffee table book by WWF and BBC.
He now knew that ‘birding’ was his call. He knew passion has to translate in his profession Today he has taken nature enthusiasts to Norway and Finland to watch polar bears or to Uttarakhand for siting Monal. He has been to Bhutan 24 times. He has cruised on oceans and rivers. Traveled almost all continents, fulfilling his heat’s desire and making it a living for him too.
After so much experience under his belt, he was excited as a child today too, as he took pains to show me all the rare birds and their antics. It was as if someone is showing his rare collection to me and was so proud of it.
Well once back at the exit, this humble being suggested that he will drop me at my property. As I neared the parking lot, I saw a car with the National Geographic logo. And then Ansar moved towards that car and gestured me to be seated in the front. Yes, he is the unique nominee of “THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC” in India. He trains whose, who in wildlife photography.
On the way back, only one thought crossed my mind. “Everyone just needs to identify their passion, and if righty channelized, the sky is the limit !!!”
