It was a perfect start of the new year 2016 with a New camera, Binocs and a trip to Bhigwan. This year as per my convenience of dates, I got one group from Thane visiting to Bhigwan. It's my first outing with this group called Wild-India. I spoke with one of the members, Mr. Bhavesh using details from the website and got my seat reserved :). The plan was to travel in night, reach early morning at Bhigwan, spending a whole day there with two boat rides, staying over night in hotel at Baramati. Second day morning visit to Veer dam and back to home. I liked this plan because I always wanted to visit Veer dam for couple of years now and couldn't make it. This time my wife supported me with this decision and children also happily accepted my 2 days and 2 nights away from home. Family happiness is always a preference.
So, we all met night in Mulund as decided but we started only at midnight as the vehicle came in late. There were couple of stops for pick up before we hit the Express highway. On the highway we stopped once for emptying ourselves. The photographer inside me was more awake than I was and I noticed one object before entering the public place. It was a cleaning stick kept out for drying but upside down. I noticed how the cleaner keep it in this way for drying and amazed to see some creative stuff. Hurriedly I reached for my mobile in the pocket and switched on the the camera, and click. Oh! That flash ruined it. Then turning off the flash, and changing the white balance I clicked it again and Voila! It was a master piece. Photographer inside me was now satisfied. It was time for me to finish the work and then back to the van, continuing our journey ahead. Due to the cold breeze sneeking through small gaps, I went into sleep mode very quickly. Though I was noticing every sharp turn and overtake by our vehicle. 
We reached at Bhigwan early morning around 5 am. It was nice and pleasing weather for me, knowing that at breaking of the day this will soon over. we had stomach full with delicious breakfast prepared at Sandip's place and even catch on some sleep till the time of boat ride.
In fact we had three rides on that day, early morning, afternoon, and late evening but out of all three evening one was very fruitful with Greater White Fronted Goose in group of Bar headed Geese and in the end post sunset a Big flock of Common Cranes came flying from one end of the sky and settled in the far away fields.
Bird checklist for Bhigwan - Day I
We stopped over in a hotel at Baramati for night.
Second day we visited the Veer dam, and we started with sightings of Coursers from within the vehicles, this was the first time sighting of this for me. but overall the water levels was very low and sightings were very less compared to early month as per Rudraksh. Second lifer was small Pratincoles at the edge of water, so many of them but roaming individually. Though they were not allowing close distance we chased most of them for a better picture. But then we started setteling down and allowing them to come near. Even I tried ground shots and the result is quite well pleasing for the efforts we took.
