Taj to Tigers Minicourse

This past week I indulged in the international school rite of spring, co-leading my first minicourse. Minicourses take students out into the world for cultural, challenge or service experiences. My group, Taj to Tigers, visited two icons of India: the Taj Mahal in Agra and the tiger preserve in Ranthambore, with a two-day expedition looking at birds and forts in Bharatapur. This area of India is a major migratory stopover and wintering ground for birds from all over the Asian continent, including Russia. I am going to let my photos tell the story.

The Taj Mahal:

Bharatapur Bird Sanctuary:

 Black-throated kingfisher. 

When he turns around, he goes from black and

white to brilliant electric blue.

 Cormorants have no oil on their feathers,

unlike other water birds, so when they

get wet, they have to dry off in the sun.

 Great gray heron and friend resting.

 Spotted baby owlet, sitting in nest in crotch of dead tree. 

 Two bee-eaters. Look calm now, but were fighting seconds

before.

I don't remember this little guy's name but he is my 

favorite picture. Impressive camera work, huh? 

Ranthambore Tiger Preserve

 Mongoose

Me: Scarves are so useful, including keeping on

your hat during an open cantor ride.  

Meet Krishna, a 7-year-old tigress with baby cubs 

in a nearby den and a kill on the hill. 

Krishna, from behind. 

Krishna, as we first found her, relaxing.

She was in no hurry, taking a break from the kids.

Notice the full breasts. 

 This is an unnamed 18-month-old cub, one of 

two whose mother was killed by another tigress in a 

boundary war.

Peacock on a dead branch.

They're everywhere.

I wish every school could do this. Kids learned about India in a far more interesting way than reading a text and they learned about themselves and each other. I think it's safe to say we all hated to say good bye.

Next, Cambodia. Head there tonight on a red-eye.