Adventures in animal kingdom Posted on October 6, 2004 Birds – they were everywhere! Of course, it was a bird sanctuary, so I should have expected it 🙂 Saw more birds and animals on this weekend trip to the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary than I ever have before. The bus journey took us 3 hours, which was pretty decent considering all the reports I got about the roads and how it would take us 5-6 hours to get there. The sanctuary is an island on the Cauvery river and is about 3 kilometres from Srirangapatha, which used to be Tipu Sultan’s summer capital. We took a boat ride that lasted for about ½ hour and the boatman helpfully pointed out several different species (I am still getting acquainted with bird types!). The most common bird that was present in thousands was the White Ibis. Saw an ugly croc sunbathing on a rock and we went really close. Not a pretty sight. Just as we approached it lazily went back into the water. Several times, I heard loud burping noises emanating from these creatures, which was reassuring, because it meant they were full and satisfied. The boatman assured us they were harmless. Besides the Ibis, were the little Comorrant, Night/Pond Heron, Kingfisher, Egrets, Bats (in large numbers, all asleep!) and other birds I am only just becoming familiar with. The bats looked really cool – hundreds of them enjoying their morning siesta all hanging upside down from the tall trees – looked like a scene out of Harry Potter! After the leisurely boatride, we sat there for a while drinking chai and then left for Mysore. There was no vehicle handy so we trekked about 3 kms from the sanctuary to the main road. It was sunny, but a pleasant walk and we saw more birds on the way – including some pretty parakeets. Once we reached Srirangapatna, thankfully a bus stopped on the road and from there it was a 12 km ride to Mysore. We made a trip to the Mysore Palace and then decided not to go in since there was a really huge queue and we had to give up our cameras at the counter (and I did not in the very least like the idea of leaving my precious Nikon with strange people!). We headed for the Mysore zoo instead. And since it was a public holiday, everyone in Mysore was there, especially the little folk! I must say, the zoo is really impressive. The map came in very handy in finding our way around. Actually, I can’t even remember the last time I’ve gone to a zoo… It was interesting. We spent about 2 hours (and walked about 3 kilometres) roaming around watching more animals. I was as excited as the kids to spot the giraffes as soon as we entered the gates :). White tigers, zebras, hippos, pythons, giraffes, gorillas, more birds – enough animals to keep me happy for a lifetime, methinks! At the end of the day, I probably would have screamed if we saw another animal! Finally caught the 6.45 pm bus from Mysore and was back at 10 pm. Crashed and dreamt of what else but – animals! The pictures from the Ranganthittu-Mysore trip. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Travel
Head for the hills Posted on August 7, 2006August 7, 2006 Nandi Hills makes for a lovely drive in this weather. And the weather’s been brilliant lately, I’m sure Bangaloreans would agree. Well, talking about drives, a few of us got together, bundled ourselves and our equipment into Praveen’s Zen and went off to Nandi Hills on a cool and cloudy… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
The scenic route to Thekkady Posted on February 13, 2004 Hail the Lord. No mobile network, but a decent Internet connection here in the little town of Kumily, Thekkady. Much better than the painfully slow connection at Alleppey. And we got charged at Rs 75 an hour! Enjoyed the drive from Alleppey to Thekkady yesterday. It was an extremely scenic… Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
Featured Finding Nemo and a whole, new world Posted on September 14, 2012September 14, 2012 Spent 10 days in a tropical paradise, jumping off a boat to go diving, relaxing in a hammock by the beach and indulging in marine life spotting. An underwater holiday in Havelock, Andamans can do wonders for one’s soul. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Print (Opens in new window) Print Read More
The snaps of the giraffe ‘Look at me’, monkey ‘In deep thought’, the white tiger ‘Hungry’ and ‘Bonding’ are very well taken. Reply
I liked the ‘In Deep Thought’ picture the best! I am just so jealous that you get to travel so much! Lucky you! JD P.S.: When will we see full text feeds? Please make them available! Reply
u surely have the time dont u, or u just have the time mgmt application running xtrmly efficient.. to make ur days go by with adventure… Reply
Hi Anita: Mute Swan is indeed incredibly pretty and graceful ..just makes one feel so serene, relaxed and peaceful… I appreciate the creativity and sense of humor in the many of the captions and the commentary that goes with the photos… (e.g. ) Looking for…Cute Monday …In Deep Thought.. Baby Talk…Sun Bath ( “…I even heard loud burping sounds emanating from them, which I guess was a good thing, since they were already..” ….You really have a good sense of humor and burst of creativity!.. How much time you spend to come with a caption and accompanying commentary for the photos ? ) and Do I look Good Today (Showing off all his assets!)… ‘Curtains’ is so soothing and warm and reminds me of your painting ‘The soothing colors of autumn’… I can not agree / disagree with you having not seen the Church in Shillong .. Great Work… It is so amazing , beautiful and feels so good once you start appreciating the nature and start looking at all little wonders around with a different perspective.. (I start to believe that it is more of a “popular myth” than fact , that you need to know a lot about technicalities of art forms before you start appreciating them.. may be the level of appreciation is better, more profound and at a different level , when you also have the background technical knowledge.. how do i know ?. nevertheless the photos / paintings look great and make one quite happy…) Thanks for sharing the nice photographs…. Ganesh p.s Feel free to edit the comments if it is too long.. Reply
I would say you arent being constrained in making those travel wishes come true. Next time, let me know if I can join in too 🙂 cheers! Reply
Mute Swan – Beautiful … great timing … though I was unhappy with the rocks in the foreground … In deep thought – Just fabulous … Kudos! The croc – looks so beautiful … wow ! .. though the shot seems a bit overexposed. I can go on n on at this rate … hmmm … Kudos! to a day well spent 🙂 may all your travel dreams come true … Reply
Are you sure it’s a crocodile, Anita? It looks like it could be an alligator. The boatman assured us they were harmless. Ah, but does the croc know that? 😉 Reply
Thanks GS… Hi JD, I think it’s possible but just needs a little bit of time management 🙂 And I’m working on the feed… Soon, hopefully! Thanks Mehak, Gaurav. Ari: It’s the time management application that runs on my machine 😉 You can download it too! Thanks Ganesh. That was a really nice comment. I agree with you. I don’t think you need to understand too many technicalities to appreciate an art, whether it is photography or painting. I do it more for the enjoyment that I get out of it. In fact any creative form gives me a certain sense of awe and discovery. And that’s what keeps me going – whether its travelling, seeing new things and place, meeting new people, photography and painting… Bharathy: Will do. Hope you can join in sometime! And nice to see you’ve started blogging 🙂 Thanks Kishore. It was actually my first time photographing birds and animals. so I didn’t have much of an idea as to go about doing it. But thanks for the comments. And am working on my travel dreams 🙂 Madman: I did confirm with the boatman, they are crocs, not alligators. Thanks Avlokana, Maran! Reply
In that case, you should know that crocs are never harmless. Sure, only 3 kinds of crocodiles are man-eaters, but getting just your arm chewed off isn’t much fun either. Reply
Madman, apparently they are so full with the fishes of Ranganthittu that they ignore the humans 🙂 But as I said, I would not want to test the theory, because I can’t imagine them giving up our flesh for fish’s. But it might also be because they are too lazy 🙂 Reply
Madman/ Anita: That’s a croc alright… Quickest way to know- When a croc’s jaws are closed the teeth still show through, with an alligator the teeth only show when the jaws are open… So boatman’s right. So is Anita. Madman’s doubts are unfounded. 😉 Just my two bits, so to speak… Reply
Curious Cat,The Pier ,Agile fellow,Old Tank,Bonding :really stand out for the composition & framing of object Reply
I am meeting a wildlife enthusiast after a long time. Your photos are simply great and you write quite well too. Maybe you could write a book. by the way your cats has wonderful eyes!! Reply
Hi Anita: I have attached a note found in the web site of national geographic – India, calling for articles. This way your unique and interesting experiences / articles / photographs can be shared with a broader cross-section of interested audience ( may even result in some useful business contacts as well). =============== Come online with http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in Are you living life on the wild side? Have you climbed a rugged mountain or explored interesting places and met fascinating people? http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in calls all adventurers, conservationists and explorers to become part of its exciting and growing community. We at http://www.nationalgeographic.co.in are willing to be your voice to reach the world. In case you have explored less-traversed regions, have had an exciting adventure or been involved in conservation and wildlife efforts, we would like to share your experiences with the world online. Please write in to us at daman@ngcindia.com and we shall be happy to carry your message…… =============== Reply
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You have taken awesome snaps particularly of crocodile and of giraffe. even now i think what if i would be there with you as your friend helping you and enjoying the worlds no.1 class adventure.especially of watching birds and animals. You are really great that you have piked up such wonderful pictures. I must say it AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL. I will be in contact with you for viewing such snaps or please send them if possible to my ID i.e PALAK_CHANDRA@REDIFFMAIL.COM My all the best wishes are with you. must walk in this line only. get your wish completed soon. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. Reply