Sunday 14 March 2021

Kabini - The Tiger haven of South

A adult female tiger. Mother of 3 grown up cubs

 

Kabini wildlife photography trip


This destination has been a long pending one for me. Finally when it was about to get materialized last March, corona decided to play the spoil sport. So had to wait for one more year to make this trip.

Finally it did happen in the last weekend of February and it was worth the wait! We used to often hear that tiger sighting in the forests of South India is extremely rare. But luck was on our side as we had tiger sighting in all the 3 jungle safaris we did.

Osprey (வராலடிப்பான்) with a fish for its dinner!

On the afternoon of the first day, we took to the boat ride in the backwaters and it was just a visual treat! The backwaters has a very rich diversity of birds and mammals.

Spending more time in the boat will definitely give opportunity for some very good action shots of the birds! Well taking a photo with a mildly rocking boat might be a bit difficult, but you will get there with practice!

Here are some of the bird photos to start with.

Great Cormorant (பெரிய நீர்க்காகம்) waiting for the right prey!


Indian Darter (நெடுங்கிளாத்தி / பாம்புத் தாரா) chasing another one


Painted Stork - மஞ்சள் மூக்கு நாரை


Wooly-necked Stork - செங்கால் நாரை


Red-naped Ibis - கரிய அரிவாள் மூக்கன்

Apart from the birds, there were some mammals as well. A family of otters were playing in the water and every now and then would peep out curiously to see if the new visitors are a threat or not.


Otter - நீர்நாய்


At the far western shores were a herd of elephants and a lone tusker, which is probably one of the biggest in the country!

The tusker!

The entire second day and third morning we took the safari into the jungle. We were hoping to get a glimpse of the black panther, but were treated with tigers in all the safari. I think I will have to wait for the panther. Surprisingly we did not get to see any leopards as well!

Female adult tiger leading the way for her grown up cubs

But it is not just the tigers or leopards. Sometime this tends to get a bit overrated! The jungle is full of life with other animals as well. We need to ensure that we take in and observe all of them and not just get stuck with the tigers.

Here are a few more photos from the safari!


The place was full of peacocks!

A stag perfectly camouflaged in its habitat

A watchful female gaur



Sambar stag - See it to believe its size


Sambar with its fawn

Langur

The curious Indian roller - பனங்காடை




Grey junglefowl - காட்டுக்கோழி

Apart from the jungle safari, the JLR resort where we stayed itself had a very good variety of birds. But one need to spend time if good photographs are to be taken. With the limited time that I spent within the resort, I was able to take photos of some birds.


Lesser flameback woodpecker - பொன்முதுகு மரம்கொத்தி


Greater coucal - செண்பகம் / செம்போத்து


Asian brown flycatcher - பழுப்பு ஈ பிடிப்பான்


I would recommend everyone to come into the wild with an open mind and no expectations and just enjoy the wild and the nature!
Some more photos from the boat ride, safari and the resort. Enjoy!

Streak-throated Woodpecker - செதில் வயிற்று மரம்கொத்தி


Great Egret - பெரிய கொக்கு


Purple Heron - செந்நாரை


Oriental magpie robin - கருப்பு வெள்ளைக் குருவி


Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour. Yet another addition to my never ending list of places to be visited again for its sheer wilderness!

Sunset over the kabini backwaters