After a couple of quite monsoon months during which I caught up with a lot of image processing work , on the 3rd of September, I drove to Ooty with family to be greeted by cold temperature and heavy rain.
This visit the plan was to spend some time at Burliar on the road down to Coimbatore and some time in the Masinagudi area, both, elephant country!
Driving from Ooty, a bit after Coonoor, on the right is the “Kurumba Village Resort”. A wonderful place I have enjoyed staying on a couple of previous occasions. Continue a bit further on the winding downhill road and you will come to “Burliar”. Here, my good friend Manjunath and myself spent a couple of nights in a friends spice estate. The ancient house in the hills was just right for our stay. We thoroughly enjoyed the birdlife in the area! (Thanks – Chetta!)
From the afternoon of 4th September to 6th September morning I was able to photograph many birds in the area!
On the 6th afternoon we drove to Doddabetta to shoot the Black-chinned Laughingthrush. On the 7th morning we were in the Botanical Garden shooting the Black & Orange Flycatcher and the Nilgiri Blue Flycatcher.
On 7th evening, with family, I reached the “Jungle Retreat” and continued to bird in the Masinagudi area until the 10th Morning.
This area near Masinagudi has more than a dozen resorts. Some really good birding all around with the "White-bellied Minivet" being the star. Currently there is a court battle on for the survival of these resorts. I was able to make some good images in the area with the help of Rajukumar the young naturalist from Jungle Retreat!
A most rewarding week among the birds of the Western Ghats in the “Nilgiris”! Though we did not encounter any elephants, all the signs of their presence were there. Large foot-prints, fresh dung, torn barks and a far away trumpet. It is amazing how people who live here are so used to the presence of elephants. Best to watch your step though…
Please visit indiabirds to view bird images....
Vijay Cavale
September, 2012
This visit the plan was to spend some time at Burliar on the road down to Coimbatore and some time in the Masinagudi area, both, elephant country!
“A view from our window at Burliar!”
Driving from Ooty, a bit after Coonoor, on the right is the “Kurumba Village Resort”. A wonderful place I have enjoyed staying on a couple of previous occasions. Continue a bit further on the winding downhill road and you will come to “Burliar”. Here, my good friend Manjunath and myself spent a couple of nights in a friends spice estate. The ancient house in the hills was just right for our stay. We thoroughly enjoyed the birdlife in the area! (Thanks – Chetta!)
“Our wonderful old home at Burliar”
From the afternoon of 4th September to 6th September morning I was able to photograph many birds in the area!
On the 6th afternoon we drove to Doddabetta to shoot the Black-chinned Laughingthrush. On the 7th morning we were in the Botanical Garden shooting the Black & Orange Flycatcher and the Nilgiri Blue Flycatcher.
On 7th evening, with family, I reached the “Jungle Retreat” and continued to bird in the Masinagudi area until the 10th Morning.
“Our cottage at Jungle Retreat - almost heaven!”
This area near Masinagudi has more than a dozen resorts. Some really good birding all around with the "White-bellied Minivet" being the star. Currently there is a court battle on for the survival of these resorts. I was able to make some good images in the area with the help of Rajukumar the young naturalist from Jungle Retreat!
A most rewarding week among the birds of the Western Ghats in the “Nilgiris”! Though we did not encounter any elephants, all the signs of their presence were there. Large foot-prints, fresh dung, torn barks and a far away trumpet. It is amazing how people who live here are so used to the presence of elephants. Best to watch your step though…
Please visit indiabirds to view bird images....
Vijay Cavale
September, 2012
