Jim Corbett National Park

Captured this deer herd at Dhikala. 

After I came back from my trip to Jim Corbett, I noticed a change in me. I could identify the sounds of birds around me. Yes! Every day when I got up in the mornings, I could identify sounds of the birds chirping in the area!!. I actually started noticing the presence of fauna and flora around meJ

I call it the magical influence of my Jungle trip to Jim Corbett National Park ;). Spotting different species of flora and fauna,very rare, yet particular to different zones and seasons in Jim Corbett was the highlight of my trip here in the jungle. So much so that while on our way back to Delhi, I spotted the common kingfisher 6 times (sitting on the wires in the open field). The experience of observing nature from so close did leave a mark in my mind  that I immediately sat and started writing my thoughts in my journal.

Found this kingfisher sitting on a dead tree base in the dry river bed. The tree base was also a fascinating subject to observe upclose.

Like any other jungle safari, this was a trip worth remembering! Sighting a tuskar( that too a mast elephant) beautiful peacocks, tiger pug marks, elephant herds, Langoors, spotted deers, barking deer, goldern maashi, long horn bill etc and many other rare species of birds, made me wonder how misterious and beautiful nature is. Looking at wildlife from this very near for the first time made this to be an experience worth remembering for me!What I realized at Jim Corbett is that Jungle Safari is not just about spotting a tiger BUT  is also about experiencing and discovering the Jungle itself. It's air, rough scenic beauty, sounds, taste and not to forget the 'fearful feel'!! ;) Yes! walking in the woods, not knowing what will come from behind or what will pounce on you or for that matter, what can you capture in your camera or spot with your binocular....All this gives you a different kind of thrill. Like, while on safari walk we spotted an elephant herd across a dry river.We had to quietly move back into the forest on the other side of the river bed, so that we do not disturb them.

Quietly observing the elephant herd from across the dry river, I could capture only this glimpse of an elephant 

Or walking on the same path where tiger had walked a few hours or may be a days earlier. Looking at fresh tiger pug marks early in the morning our guide told us that the tiger had recently been here and had walked towards a particular direction. Our guide could tell us what the tiger ate last when it passed through that particular area (Finding a dear nail, small bones or animal hair particle in a dried tiger faecal matter) So identifying the foul smell in that area (smell of tiger kill) looking at pug marks, listening to tiger roar, a dear/ sambhar or monkey call- are all tell-tale signs of a tiger presence near by.

The resort that we stayed at was inside the buffer zone and daily we could hear calls, tiger roar past midnight. It was as if, the tiger reminded us that it was nearby ;). Very diligently, all tourist activities are generally stopped after 6:30 pm as the animals, especially the flesh eating animals become active after dark. (All carnivorous creatures hunt after dark) The retreat's fences are also solar electric so that tiger or any other wild animal does not venture inside the resort or other human habitation near by. Spotting huge tiger pug marks ( sometimes male and sometime female) early in the morning was our favorite daily activity during our stay there;)

After reaching the resort in the afternoon, we planned on having a walk inside the forest in the buffer zone. No! no! ....we were't brave enough to venture out alone, but with the nautralist that the resort provided...hehe!

As you walk on the dead leaf bed of the teak plant spread all around you, looking at the foot marks of the elephants and pug marks of the tiger! You realize that you are actually walking in the woods. The crisp sound of large dry teak leaves in the otherwise silent forest gives you a jitter for a while. As you come to understand that you are alone in there and on your on. While walking on the same path where a tiger had passed hours ago made me imagine him sitting nearby and watching us from a distance...
Well,by now you can very well understand that this was my first jungle experience on foot and vulnerable! but believe me it didn't turn out to be that scary ;). The sound of dry leaves does give a chill through your spine for a while in the otherwise silent forest. Thanks to our naturalist, who was leading our walk, was an expert and ensured that we returned back to the resort on time before dark. We took a two and a half hour walk in the jungle that day. The elephant herd that I mentioned in the above paragraph was spotted during this walk only.They were unaware of us and were busy grazing in the trees. Watvhing them from so close was worth taking that walk.

I was trying to take a picture of this tiny bird that sat on the dry branches of a  dead tree  in the river bed

Day-1- Sitabani: Day one was a lazy start. After we had our breakfast,we decided to take a drive to ‘Sitabani". Drive to 'Sitabani' triggered our interest in Birds. Yes, for the first time we took notice of the tiny creatures chirping and hopping around us and on trees

On our way to and fro from ‘Sitabani’ we captured many birds on camera like-purple sun bird, ducks, wood pecker, sandpiper and peacock,and hence started the affair with  bird watching at JC. At ‘Sitabani,’ is a very small temple of devi Sita which is being preserved by archeological survey of india. It also has a water resource from which flows continuously, the fresh sweet cold water.

To me travelling on the entire stretch to sitabani was more enjoyable, rather than being in sitabani.The entire 40 km stretch from ramnagar had lots of trees on both sides with a river stream flowing on the  left side. Since it was 'tarai area' so the view turned hilly as well. After we came back to the resort in the evening we felt that although it was a lazy start for the day (with sumptuous breakfast & quality time spent at the spa) but it was a perfect day spent.!

Indian Black Drongo, I feel blessed that the picture came out beautifully ;) 

After an early dinner we went off to sleep as we had to wake up at 3:30 am next day for our jeep safari to 'Dhikala'.

Ranthambore

Ranthambore-The Garh of Tigers!

Ranthambore National Park – the Garh of tigers! They say there are more than thirty of them here. What a majestic creature! that hunts with Precision, Planning and Speed. We were very fortunate to see this majestic creature hunting in Zone- 3. Being there and observing the hunt from a distance, we could sense the fear that the prey (deers & sambars) felt while running for life in the lake. This bolt happened after one member from the herd made the call and informed others of the danger.

Deers- running for life after they saw the tiger nearby 

I am talking about ‘Ranthambore National Park’ that sits in Sawai Madhopur District of southeastern Rajasthan. It’s almost an eight hour drive from New Delhi to Ranthambore and we reached our destination about half past midnight. Driving through the Jungle area at night gives you a different feel altogether, a once in a lifetime experience!! Our drive was one such unforgettable one! As on our way we saw a pack of deers crossing the road before us and disappearing in the thick forest in the moonlight.

Difficult to click! while this beautiful peacock was hiding itself from my camera

Langoors were in large numbers here

We stayed at Ranthambore for three days. One day to visit the national park, second day to see the Ranthambore fort and the famous Trinetra Ganesh Temple and the third day to relax and be lazy for a change :). In order to have a true Jungle experience we stayed in tents, in the village itself (very near to the national park and the fort). Spending those three days at 'Tiger Machan', definitely made this trip a memorable one.

Although the approach to the fort and the jungle is a bumpy man made, hilly road but one can already feel being inside a densely forested area surrounded by hills. Before saying hello to the king of the Jungle, you happen to spot various species of birds and animals, like; Cheetal, Black bucks, Neelgai, Langoors, beautiful peacocks, Wood peckers, common kingfishers, Bayas, Bulbul, Mynas, and Quails etc. We were amazed to see a family of quails crossing the road in front of us. That was a beautiful sight indeed. Mum Quail leading the three chicks behind her :). Some of the animals and birds showed curiosity towards the tourists entering their territory and some behaved as if they have been eagerly waiting for you to click their pictures, especially the Langoors. An interesting thing to note about them was that all of them were so used to humans visiting their habitat that they were least bothered and continued doing what they were busy with.

Mama Quail leading her three chicks :)

'Peak-a-boo' :) interesting timing

Climbing the stairs at the Ranthambore Fort gives you the feel that you have travelled back to the olden times. The view of the national park from the fort, the lakes, peacocks dancing with their feathers open in all their grace, baby Langoors playing , birds chirping, all this kind of captivates you and takes you back to the times of King Hammir for a moment. While walking through the fort you cannot stop imagining how the life would have been during those times. We were fortunate enough to capture an image of a kitchen utensil that must have been used at large family functions/ occasions etc. It was lying there at one of the remains of what could be a house inside the fort.

View of the National Park from the fort

The view of the national park from the fort is breathtaking. 

If you wait patiently and spend some time at the stairs going upwards inside the fort you can actually spot peacocks dancing in the jungle below near the lakes. You know one can spot a dancing Peacock in the jungle only when the breeze flows cool telling that it is about to rain soon. Catching a glimpse of two peacocks dancing like that confirmed on our prediction of rains that day :).

Another important beautiful thing about this fort was the Shiva Temple that we visited. Not many people know of it though. The small room with the huge shiva lingam is pitch dark but is definitely breathtaking. Once inside, you can feel the pure positive vibes that make you literally talk to god. Yes! I had my own conversation with god there :). Ranthambore fort is also famous for housing “Trinetra Ganesh” Temple. 

Shiva Temple inside the fort

This stone statue was at the entrance  of the fort 

Spending those three days at Ranthambore was worth it!!