As it so often happens, in summer, people from Bangalore escape the heat by driving over to Ooty. Ooty is the nearest hill station to Bangalore, about 6 hrs drive (300 kms) via Mysore. The drive passes through the Bandipur National Park. Thus, couple of nights in Ooty and couple of nights in Bandipur is quite the norm. I did this trip (again) with my family from the 25th to the 30th of March, 2012.
In Ooty we stayed at a friend's place from the 25th Evening to the 28th Morning. This time also I visited the “Botanical Garden” ,“Sims Park at Coonoor” and “Dodda Betta” (all tourist attractions) for birding and was able to shoot the usual birds - some better images for “Indiabirds!”
On the 28th Morning we left Ooty and drove down to Bandipur. We stayed at "JLR" till the 30th morning and then drove back to Bangalore to reach home by dinner time.
Among the usual mammals like Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer and Wild Pigs, Bandipur this time yielded one fine but fleeting glimpse of a leopard and a superb 15 mts with a Tiger! Such a lovely feeling to see a tiger relaxing...
Bird photography in Bandipur is always difficult. These "Common Mynas" fighting was quite a sight!
The "JLR" property itself had plenty of birdlife...
In April, I made another trip to Ooty with my extended family. One Bus full! No camera!!
Vijay Cavale
April 2012
In Ooty we stayed at a friend's place from the 25th Evening to the 28th Morning. This time also I visited the “Botanical Garden” ,“Sims Park at Coonoor” and “Dodda Betta” (all tourist attractions) for birding and was able to shoot the usual birds - some better images for “Indiabirds!”
On the 28th Morning we left Ooty and drove down to Bandipur. We stayed at "JLR" till the 30th morning and then drove back to Bangalore to reach home by dinner time.
Among the usual mammals like Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer and Wild Pigs, Bandipur this time yielded one fine but fleeting glimpse of a leopard and a superb 15 mts with a Tiger! Such a lovely feeling to see a tiger relaxing...
A Tiger beating the heat at Bandipur.
Bird photography in Bandipur is always difficult. These "Common Mynas" fighting was quite a sight!
These two birds were fighting for a nest hole, I guess...
The "JLR" property itself had plenty of birdlife...
This "Common Tailorbird" was flipping leaves for food!
In April, I made another trip to Ooty with my extended family. One Bus full! No camera!!
Vijay Cavale
April 2012
