Close Encounter

    I have been to few tiger reserves , but my luck with tiger never blossomed. After 3 trips to Tadoba Tiger Reserve and 1 to Bandhavgarh National Park , finally I was able to get few glimpses of this majestic cat. But from far that too in twilight. 

    As a photographer I wasn’t satisfied with the images I made. They were no good than just as a proof that I saw a tiger. 

    So again the quest for tiger started , and again it was my favorite tiger reserve aka ‘ Land of Tigers ‘ – Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve . It’s beautiful red soil kaccha roads , bamboo and teak forest and people there is what make’s it special. 

    The first safari and guess what , tiger still eluded me . Second safari , early morning as we enter as usual first round was into the Telia Lake region of park . We went round the lake , but no signs of the cat. As we moved ahead , we saw that one of the gypsy which was opposite to us spotted something and we couldn’t see due to the tall grass . Our driver asked the driver from opposite gypsy and it was confirmed to be tiger. That guy made us to stop there itself and yes Tiger was moving towards us , it was a sub adult cub of the tigress named Sonam.  

   And there he was , with beautiful bright colored and black stripped fur. It’s sparkling eyes and waving tail. As it was coming close to us , our shutter were bursting . Made some decent images of this beauty and then it went past two gypsy by crossing the road .

    There was big wide satisfying smile on everyone’s face . For me this one sight of tiger was enough for the trip , I knew I would go back home satisfied , but my luck has more surprises to offer me . And next time even closer . Wait for the next tale from wild.

Here is the one of the image I made that time. Hope you all enjoy it. 🙂 

Tiger’s own fortress “BANDHAVGARH”

Bandhavgarh well known world wide was on my wishlist since long time.Therefore thought to dedicate this May2013 for tiger and so planned out trip to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.  The four main zones of the national park are Tala, Magdhi, Khitauli, and Panpatta. Tala is the richest zone in terms of biodiversity, mainly tigers. Together, these four rangescomprise the ‘Core’ of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve constituting a total area of 694 km². The buffer zone is spread over the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals another 437 km².

It is said that Lord Rama gave the hillock to his brother Lakshaman to keep watch on Lankan , so the name Bandhavgarh . (Bandhav – brother and garh – fort in Sanskrit)

Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers in the world . And world famed individual tiger also resided here .
To name , Charger a dominant male tiger ruled the area in 90s later on his son B2 powerful male tiger dominated the area and then his son Bamera is ruling the kingdom now.

   Our trip to Bandhavgarh was not fruitful in tiger sighting but birding here was wonderful.  We started our journey from Pune Junction to Jabalpur visited Bhedaghat and then to Bandhavgarh. We had booked out stay at Mogli Resort . Arrangements were made by Yuvraj Patil (Well known Wildlife Photographer)
The very first safari was in Tala zone . With no sign of tiger , birds kept us busy .

 

 

Had a good time with Changeable Hawk Eagle and vultures .

 

 

 

We did more three safaris one in Magadhi and two in Khitauli .

 

After all safaris done it was time to say adieu to this beautiful park.

 

 

“””””””””” Monsoon Magic “””””””””””

All the barren land turned into green carpet , silently flowing streams , high waterfall all over , forest rejuvenated , trottling sound of frogs and heavy showers !! This is monsoon in Western Ghats !
When its monsoon, its always herping . Getting out in ghats in search of amphibians and reptiles is adventurous . So was the plan to go for night hunt at Rajmachi Fort route near Lonavala , Maharashtra .
It was small trip to just one night . I with some Herpers ( Abhay Kewat , Rounak Khare, Pappu Chikne, Harshad Jhaveri) in one car and Sid Bramhankar (fellow Inwian) Nilesh and Anuj. set out for our destination. It was just 1 hour drive from our town. We parked our car and got ready with our cameras , head lamps , torches , snake tong etc.
In first 10 min we sighted a medium sized Vine Snake.

Just then we hears a call from Bush Frog but could’nt photograph it. We then moved ahead , it was Abhay dada who saw the Bamboo Pit Viper (venomous) and endemic to western ghats.

Just then we hears a call from Bush Frog but could’nt photograph it. We then moved ahead , it was Abhay dada who saw the Bamboo Pit Viper (venomous) and endemic to western ghats.After clicking some images of this guy we walked deeper in to the forest .

Suddenly a tiny frog was jumping in front of us . Later on we found it to be Burrowing Frog again a endemic specie to Western Ghats.Leaving the tiny creature alone we moved and just then we found a another elusive specie Beddomme’s Cat Snake .

Till this time it was dawn . We packed our things set back to our home .
Western Ghats is just like a mystery box , every year new species of amphibians and reptiles are been discovered here. Hope we conserve it proper manner .

Is this nervous system of leaf ??

A experiment done in at home…….just got a leaf placed it in front of sun and clicked it !!

Unforgettable Ganeshgudi !!!

WELL !! A tour to Ganeshgudi was totally undecided and unplanned ! It all started at chilling night  11 pm  14th of Jan at my friend’s cyber cafe ; Abhay Dada and my other friends were talking abt GG(Ganeshgudi) tour . And he told me that their are only two of them in whole big Ford Endeavor . Then Abhay dada just asked me casually are willing to come….and within 5 sec i replied i will let you know in 10 min. Than ran to home to seek permission from Mom Dad….n permission was Granted !!!
Next morning befor the sunrise we Three musketeers #1 Pappu Dada #2 Abhay Dada #3 Me set off from Pune to the 550km journey to Ganeshgudi , Dandeli , Karnataka.Taking the NH4 route…..we had our breakfast at Karad . Then lunch of Fish curry at Belgaum. Then taking route to Karwar we reached Ganeshgudi by 3pm. We were on our way to Old Magzine Resort of Jungle Lodges and Resorts.As soon as we entered the resort campus we sighted the State Animal of Maharashtra – Malabar Giant Squirrel .

Malabar Giant Squirrel
Got some good shots of the Malabar Giant Squirrel. And we proceeded forward . A well maintained , clean , surrounded by thick forest and perfect place for wild creature…….this was the resort where we were going to stay for next 3 days. We were greeted with hot tea and snacks . Then we spent some time photographing common birds over there . In evening , we three spent time near the backwaters nearby the resort. While coming back on our way to resort i sighted a winged creature….sitting on the muddy path , very well camouflaged with the colour of soil. Till then I was sure it was none other than Nightjar to be specific Jungle Nightjar. Got off the car…..moving slowly closer to it clicked some images not good one but record shot.

Nightjar

Back to the resort had our lunch. And again with torch in hand we set out for night hunt. In the resort campus , Jumma uncle (a forest guard) showed us the Tarantula ( a spider species).

Tarantula

Thick , dense Forest of Ganeshgudi in Western Ghats.

Waking up by the alarm of  Shama call was just amazing !! Got ready !! Had our Tea !!
set of to click beautiful creatures !!
Next 3 days were full of excitement , surprises !!! We clicked more than 3000 images !!
3rd Day was the best day of my life till date !! We saw more than 200 Malabar Pied Hornbill at one place and at same time !!!! Mesmerizing view it was !!! I clicked almost 800 images of Malabar Pied HornBills !!

Male Malabar Pied Hornbill

Hornbill in flight !!

A Lovely pair of Malabar Pied Hornbill !!!

A Tree Full Of Malabar Pied Hornbills !!!!

During our stay in GG we clicked loads of images of various species of birds , mammals , butterflies , reptiles. Below are the some selective images from the GG.

Blue Capped Rock Thrush (Male)

Peek-a-boo

Blue Capped Rock Thrush (Female)

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Female)

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Male)

Emarald Dove

Ashy Drongo In Action 

Orange Headed Ground Thrush

Malabar Whistling Thrush

Scarlet Minivet (Female)

Puff Throated Babbler

Yellow Bulbul

Veneral Hanging Parrot

Chestnut Headed Bee Eater

The main attraction and western ghats is the Malabar Trogon !! A rare bird to sight , very shy by its nature . It is difficult to photograph this bird because it spend most of his time in thick , shadowed foliage and rarely comes in open. Got a record shot of this beauty.

Malabar Trogon

Many species of Butterflies were sighted.

Common Crow

Southern Birdwing Mating Pair

Common Blue Tiger

Common Sailor

Four Species of Reptiles :

Draco

 Baby Common Trinket

Vine Snake

Marsh Crocodile

We sighted 84 species of Birds , 5 species of Mammals , 5 species of Butterflies  and 4 species of reptiles. After spending great time at awesome place it was time to say adieu to Ganeshgudi with promise to visit again this place . Overall it was an amazing and unforgettable photographic tour to Ganeshgudi 🙂