Zahran CR's Photography

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Zahran CR's Photography

I am a hobbyist bird watcher and Photographer from PAKISTAN

19/03/2025

Dressed to Impress !

As the breeding season arrives nature weaves its most spectacular transformations.

In the avian world male bird species often undergo dramatic color shifts during the breeding season to attract mates and assert dominance. Brighter plumage makes them more appealing to females. This visual spectacle combined with calls and courtship displays increases their chances of passing on their genes

For wildlife photographers capturing a bird in its full breeding plumage is a privilege, an intimate glimpse into nature’s most mesmerizing transformations.

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Bird name: Kalij Pheasant

Gear: |Nikon Z50 II | Nikkor 600mm f/4 TC |
Sett: | f/4 | 1/100s | ISO-800 | 600mm |

26/02/2025

Marching !

In the snowy silence of Khunjerab National Park, I saw a group of Himalayan Ibex moving moving steadily uphill leaving a trail of hoofprints behind. Walking together step by step through the harsh winter shows their strength and unity in one of the toughest places to survive in Pakistan.

With thick fur and strong curved horns these goats are built for survival. Life here is not easy as freezing winds, deep snow and the ever watchful snow leopard makes every day a challenge !

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Himlayan Ibex
Khunjerab National Park

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/1000s | ISO-220 | 600mm |

28/01/2025

Guardians of the forest !

Pheasants are not just beautiful, they are essential for maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. By dispersing seeds they promote forest regeneration and contribute to plant diversity.

Their role in controlling insect populations helps maintain ecological balance while their foraging activity enriches soil health. Additionally as a vital prey species they support predators, sustaining the food chain and overall biodiversity.

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Bird name: Kalij Pheasant
Dec 2024

Gear: Z50II | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 1/200s | ISO-400 | 600mm |

09/12/2024

A Close Call in the Wild !

I was waiting quietly when I suddenly heard a disturbance behind me. As I turned around I saw this incredible bird flying straight at me while chasing a group of jays. For a moment it looked like it was going to hit me, so instinctively I raised my hand to shield my bald head. :)

Lucky for me and the jays it didn’t happen. This beauty skillfully dodged me, and the jays managed to escape too. 😂

To my surprise, the bird landed right in front of me, so close that I had to photograph it vertically just to fit it all in the frame.

What a moment ! Wildlife always finds a way to surprise you.

17/11/2024

Peekaboo !

It seemed to be playing hide & seek with me, darting behind the reed with the agility only nature can master. I absolutely love watching these tiny birds how they rapidly shift their weight to balance perfectly on a perch, always alert and full of life

Sadly these birds face more than just playful games. They are often poached in Pakistan putting their survival in the wild at risk.

Let’s do our part to protect these lovely creatures by reporting any instances of their sale or purchase, whether in shops, markets, or even on the streets.
Together we can ensure they continue to play hide-and-seek in their natural habitats for generations to come.

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Bird name: Scaly breasted Munia
Location: Rawal Lake, Islamabad, Pakistan

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/400s | ISO-220 | 600mm |

15/10/2024

You can still see the droplets on its feathers as it clutches its catch of the day! These fascinating birds are true masters of aquatic hunting. Nature always has a way to amaze.

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Bird name: Brown Dipper
Location: Astore, Giglit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/400s | ISO-1250 | 600mm |

17/08/2024

Amidst the harsh winter, the sight of a common monkey that many of us encounter while traveling reminds us of the resilience of wildlife and the delicate balance of our ecosystems. These beautiful creatures, found in many of our national parks, play a vital role in preserving biodiversity in Pakistan. However, they face numerous challenges, including deforestation, human encroachment, and climate change, which threaten their fragile habitats.

Additionally, the harmful practice of feeding these animals with food brought by visitors is gradually altering their behavior and degrading their physical and mental health. Those of us who admire their beauty, let’s also pledge to protect their natural habitats and avoid practices that harm them. Conservation is not just about saving species, it's about preserving the wonder of our natural world for generations to come.

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Rehsus Macaque
Ayubia National Park

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/1250s | ISO-140 | 600mm |

26/05/2024

Essential but unloved !

Vultures play a crucial role in our ecosystem as the most effective environmental cleaners. By feeding on the dead, they help keep the ecosystem clean and protect both animal and human health.

In my opinion, they have one of the toughest jobs of all birds, especially at such high elevations. They handle it remarkably from the day they can fly until the day they die, helping prevent the spread of diseases by cleaning up decomposing bodies.

It is unfortunate that these magnificent high-altitude dwellers are often viewed as evil or ugly, and that someone who is greedy or ruthless is derogatorily called a vulture.

Get to know them to appreciate them. Save wildlife to save nature.

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Himlayan Griffon Vulture
Khunjerab National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/320s | ISO-100 | 600mm |

05/05/2024

Giants in distress!

During my last trip to Deosai National Park, I encountered a distressing sight !

Gujjars, the herders, freely roaming in the core habitat of bears. This blatant disregard for the park's regulations seems to be happening right under the government's nose. There appears to be a clash between different departments, with those wielding power prevailing, allowing the Gujjars to roam freely with their cattle and horses in the bear's core habitat.

Consequently, the bears are compelled to flee from one zone to another, as they are inherently shy animals that avoid interactions with humans and other animals.

This constant running from one zone to another imposes significant physical stress, especially for female bears with cubs, causing both physical and mental anguish.

In my view, the government must prioritize the welfare of these bears over bureaucratic conflicts. They need to remember the primary purpose behind establishing Deosai as a national park.

Given the challenges posed by climate change, with diminished vegetation growth, allowing Gujjars into the core area will only expedite environmental degradation !

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Himalayan Brown Bear
Deosai National Park

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/1250s | ISO-360 | 600mm |

01/10/2023

“The antidote to exhaustion isn’t rest. It’s nature.” – Shikoba

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Bird name: Grey Heron
Location: Rawal Lake, Islamabad

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/125s | ISO-110 | 600mm |

23/07/2023

Boss !

If you keep bird watching regularly then after sometime you start to anticipate their moves, like if they are flying where they might land and if they are perched then where they can perch again if they take off.

But sometimes they may surprise you and perch totally at a different spot. Same is the case here, I wasn't expecting this bird here !

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Bird name: Grey Francolin
Location: Okara, Punjab

Gear: D500 | Nikkor 600mm f/4 |
Sett: f/4 | 1/160s | ISO-180 | 600mm |

27/06/2023

Seeking attention !

The best time and location for me to bird watch is the start of the breeding season in the Himalayan forest. This is the time of the year when these gorgeous birds are at the peak of their beauty. They are so melodious that the whole forest just echoes with their singing and calls

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