Bird Photography in Bir, Himachal Pradesh: A Family Trip Filled with Unexpected Wildlife Moments

A Family Trip That Turned Into a Birding Experience

My trip to Bir was never originally planned as a bird photography expedition. It was primarily a family vacation that I had organized with my wife, my son, my father, and my brother. My father and brother were visiting us in Delhi for a short period, and we thought it would be a good idea to take a break from city life and travel somewhere peaceful in the mountains.

We eventually decided on Bir because both my brother and my wife had wanted to experience paragliding for a very long time. I had already done paragliding earlier in my life, so I knew Bir would be the perfect destination for them.

But as always, even during family trips, I somehow end up carrying my camera gear along with me. Carrying wildlife photography equipment during a family vacation can honestly become a task in itself, especially with long travel schedules and family responsibilities. Still, I managed to find small windows of time where I could quietly explore the surroundings and photograph birds.

Discovering the Birdlife of Bir

One thing that surprised me during the trip was the sheer variety of birds present around Bir and nearby areas. The Himalayan ecosystem is completely different from the landscapes around Delhi NCR, and because of that, I started noticing bird species that I had never seen before in my life.

In fact, there were several birds that I still cannot confidently identify even today.

But among the species I clearly remember spotting were:

• Egyptian Vulture

• Indian Paradise Flycatcher

• Red-billed Blue Magpie

The paradise flycatchers especially stood out because we managed to see both the white morph and the brown morph, and surprisingly in fairly good numbers.

Watching these birds move gracefully through the trees against the backdrop of the Himalayan mountains was a completely different experience compared to photographing birds in the plains or wetlands.

Photographing the Red-billed Blue Magpie

One of my favorite moments from the trip came while visiting a local monastery near where we were staying.

Around the monastery premises, we spotted the stunning Red-billed Blue Magpie. Even though it belongs to the crow family, it looks nothing like a typical crow. The combination of blue, white, and black feathers along with its long tail made it one of the most visually striking birds I had seen in Himachal Pradesh.

What made the experience even better was that these birds were not particularly shy around humans. Because of that, I managed to capture some really good photographs and a few videos as well.

The calm atmosphere of the monastery combined with the sound of the birds and the mountain backdrop made the entire experience very peaceful.

Balancing Family Time and Photography

Unlike my dedicated wildlife expeditions, this trip was more about spending time with family. So photography happened only in between our travel schedules and activities.

And honestly, those are often the most memorable photography moments — when you are not actively chasing wildlife but unexpectedly come across beautiful subjects naturally during travel.

Apart from bird photography, I also tried some portrait photography during the trip. One of my favorite memories was photographing my son in traditional Himachali attire. We requested a local person to help dress him in the regional outfit, and the resulting photographs turned out extremely cute and memorable for our family.

The Beauty of Birding in Himachal Pradesh

What I personally loved about birding in Himachal Pradesh was how effortlessly wildlife blends into everyday life there. Even during a normal family vacation, it becomes possible to encounter rare and beautiful bird species without travelling deep into forests.

The mountainous landscapes, monasteries, pine forests, and peaceful villages together create an environment that naturally attracts both birds and photographers.

For someone interested in bird photography, Bir offers:

• Beautiful Himalayan landscapes

• Unique bird species not commonly seen in plains

• Calm monasteries and forest patches

• Excellent opportunities for candid wildlife moments

• A peaceful atmosphere for slow photography

My Overall Experience in Bir

Overall, my experience in Bir was a beautiful mix of family memories, adventure, and unexpected wildlife photography opportunities.

While the main purpose of the trip was family bonding and paragliding, I still managed to experience the rich birdlife of the Himalayas and capture some memorable moments along the way.

Trips like these remind me that photography does not always require a dedicated expedition. Sometimes, simply carrying your camera with patience and curiosity during family travel can lead to some of the most meaningful wildlife experiences.