WONDERS OF NATURE AT BHADRA TIGER RESERVE

Dates were finally finalized!!   My friend and I were all set to go to Coorg, something we had been planning for many months.   But, unforeseen circumstances, and at the last minute plans had to be cancelled.  I was already in the travel mode!  What to do?  Ah, my friend Shree to the rescue!!  So off went an SMS … Do you have a spot for me for the Bhadra trip ?  Back came a positive reply. Happy me, and in a jiffy, I was all set to change course towards Bhadra River Tern Lodge.   What will Bhadra have in store for me? 

Early morning on May 3^rd, a group of six of us with Shreeram of Darter Photography, as our team leader, were on our way to the River Tern Lodge, at Bhadra.  Reaching there just before lunch, we checked in, a quick bite and a little briefing before setting off on our first safari of the trip.  Shree said it would be the boat safari, best way to see the River Terns.

As we reached the shore, what an abundance of the terns.  I had never seen so many in one place.  Flying about, diving in the water to  catch   fish,  feeding chicks – it was frenzy of activity alright.  In addition,  we also saw small pratincoles.  And some river tern chicks.

River Tern 

Small Pratincole.

River Tern with a catch of fish in its beak!

River Tern Chick

We looked around, and there was a white browed wagtail!!  Not to be outdone, it sure was making its presence felt by flitting from one place to another.   After a while we headed in a different direction.

And lo and behold, there was an Osprey, perched majestically on a dry branch.  Would he treat us to his skills of fishing!   Or was he done for the day?

Dusk was soon approaching. Time to move on, and head back.   Happy at all the sightings, we were enjoying the beauty of the setting sun, and the shimmer cast on the waters of the Bhadra River. 

At the far end of the bank, our guide spotted a huge ‘dark boulder like image’.  As we neared, we saw it was an elephant lying down.  “Is it injured?”, “What happened'? "why is it lying down”? – were some of the questions asked.  Suddenly the elephant stood up, a sigh of relief in the boat, the elephant was just having a nice evening bath, using the river, as a big bath tub!

Splashing in the water, ‘hosing’ itself with its trunk, ....

 .... and finally ‘powdering’ itself with the red mud,as it moved into the forest.

Wow, what a treat, the birds and a beast!  All in one evening.  Now it was time to take a few shots of the Sunset before heading back

Sunset shots done, all of us with have a big smile on our faces.   We are heading back,  we see a boat stationary, near the shore.  Why is it not heading back.  We got our answer soon enough  

Wonder of wonders – there was a tiger, relaxing at the banks.  

It was truly an OMG moment for ALL of us.  In our excitement a quick scramble on the boat, to the side of the tiger!  A warning rang out loud and clear -  ‘Be careful guys, not everyone one the same side of the boat’ lest the boat topples!!  Warning was heeded, and we took turns to take our shots.  The tiger was ever obliging.  Fully stretched out, relaxing, yawing, quite unconcerned with the occupants in the two boats, and the ‘click, click, click’ noise of our cameras.  After a while it decided to move up, sit behind a rock and continue to watch us, as if it was playing ‘peek-a-boo’

We were with the tiger for more than half an hour.  It was getting dark!  and we had no choice but to head back.

Nature had truly us treated us to its many wonders on our first day, first boat safari at River Tern Lodge.  WOW, what a fantastic end for the day.  My first sighting of a tiger on the banks of a river.  It is a totally different experience from sighting it in the forest from a safari jeep.

One and a half more days to go, and three more safaris!!!  The next morning, we all went on a jeep safari  in two jeeps … again many sightings.  Unfortunately, I could not capture all on camera - here are a few pics that I did - 

a Eurasian thick knee moving away from us, 

another Eurasian thick knee playing peek-a-boo, 

a  great egret 

and a spotted dove. 

The third safari was again an evening safari on the boat.  Lots of cormorants, river terns, small pratincoles.  The sunset!  Another good day.

For the last Safari, there was a choice of jeep or the boat.   At first I thought I would go for the boat safari, but at the last minute I opted to go for another jeep safari.  Again, we had a many different sightings.  

Shortly after entering the forest, perched high on a branch was a Brown fish owl, peering at us,

 eating a fruit was a Malabar grey hornbill, 

 flitting from branch to branch, finally sitting down to pose for us was Malabar Pied hornbill,

 and last but not least, with quizzical looks, a family of wild boars.  

It was an amazing trip and a wonderful learning experience with Shreeram of Darter Photography, who patiently and painstakingly explained  photography and wildlife.

To capture it in one line – "The wonderful wonders of nature never cease to amaze those of us who have the patience to wait till she decides to surprise us. "