p.1 #1 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
Congratulations to kdacharya for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 3 votes - View Previous Winners
Hi All,
Wanted to break up the routine with some shots of a not so commonly known place in my home state Gujarat (President Trump recently discovered this state in his India tour).
Back to the main story:
Before my visit to the Tiger reserve this January, I spent 2 days in this little-known amazing place. It's home to the wild asses (wild in more ways than one, as you will see shortly). These asses could not be domesticated.
" The Indian wild ass, as with most other Asian wild ass subspecies, is quite different from the African wild ass species. The coat is usually sandy, but varies from reddish grey, fawn, to pale chestnut. The animal possesses an erect, dark mane which runs from the back of the head and along the neck. The mane is then followed by a dark brown stripe running along the back, to the root of the tail.
The Indian ass (Equus hemionus khur) also called the Ghudkhur, Khur or Indian onager in the local Gujarati language, is a subspecies of the onager native to Southern Asia.
It is currently listed as Near Threatened by IUCN. At the previous census in 2009, estimated 4,038 Indian wild ass. However, the population was still growing. In December 2014, the population was estimated at 4,451 individuals. It has increased from a jump of 454. However, as of 2015, the current Indian wild ass population has increased to more than 4,800 individuals in and outside of the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary of India." Courtesy Wikipedia.
The desert is not a sandy type of desert, but a marshy type where for millenniums salt making from the underground water drilled and mined was a big industry. The industry is failing now, with the commercial farming from the sea with big corporations undertakings really killing the home/cottage industry. All the potable water for the human inhabitants has to be trucked from outside, hence every drop is valuable. It was here I realized how wasteful I am about the water usage, leaving the faucet running while brushing etc. Please conserve water.
Also home to many migratory birds. Included is some NSFW stuff, please do not scroll down if you are easily offended or sensitive
Here goes.
p.1 #6 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
Something tells me you felt right at home here KD You really caught some great mood shots, you put all the right elements together and I found them very very enjoyable my friend
As far as asses go, #10 made my day! We all have one, thanks for showing yours
You Got My Vote
Karl
p.1 #13 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
dclark wrote:
Excellent collection of images from a place most of us will never see. I particularly like the composition in #3. Thanks for posting them.
Dave
thanks Dave. there are so many unique places in India, as there are in the US and the world. So many place to go and not enough time.
p.1 #17 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
Wow, KD, wonderful images from your home area there! The asses are kicking some *ss alright - what a hoot! The low setting sun images regardless on what's on them are certainly gorgeous and yes, YGMV!
p.1 #19 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
KD - as usual, very high quality work from you. I would have missed this post since I do not regularly follow this group but luckily I saw your thumbnail on the main Forum page.
p.1 #20 · Prelude to the Tigers - Wild Ass Sanctuary - Little Rann of Kutch
I love your photos and the way they are processed. Really very nice and always a pleasure to view. The Indian Courser and sandgrouse are just fantastic. And man those asses are packing some serious heat! I can see why they gave you a complex
You really caught some great mood shots, you put all the right elements together and I found them very very enjoyable my friend 
- what a hoot! The low setting sun images regardless on what's on them are certainly gorgeous and yes, YGMV!