tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51821417271773451802024-03-14T18:31:22.665+05:30Praveen Siddannavar's BlogPraveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-73059939140527341022017-07-11T14:19:00.000+05:302017-07-11T07:50:32.965+05:30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">Leopard – The Ambush hunter!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkFRZX3AGFbWD0SRLWfLr0QIFb9KfT63tGiWA6Hr0AMNct32XZ9pLrQNArfTkFS0JDEt2PLiXfxi1lCohQo-GsmJqHHIRP-m6F_iKbBtK6ih3t4p7aBlYlkerRnYagsZquW7EfbwQ5ls/s1600/Leopard_Chital_Hunt-0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkFRZX3AGFbWD0SRLWfLr0QIFb9KfT63tGiWA6Hr0AMNct32XZ9pLrQNArfTkFS0JDEt2PLiXfxi1lCohQo-GsmJqHHIRP-m6F_iKbBtK6ih3t4p7aBlYlkerRnYagsZquW7EfbwQ5ls/s320/Leopard_Chital_Hunt-0909.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">It is rightly said and I believe it too – wild animals make
their appearance or create a natural history when you least expect it. This was
one such day at Kabini, (Nagarahole) during monsoons (June 2016). I personally
believe that monsoons are the best time to visit forests simply for its
soothing greenery and as a wildlife photographer one can make amazing images
with lovely colors. However the flip side of this is the animal viewing can
also be very low due to thick vegetation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_a0bsfvCu10Y9vWCfAaNQ1ma_Bt1NSMHvfgh3C45BugU0YNRAXNsrDlLsaN4L4gMTRhT2PdfDD8DIf244vhkNVo_G6Pw8sYUHDrmnJky_0ld7qmCzmlw2fndBgyWAbMyUon8sZtx3fQ/s1600/Leopard_Chital_Hunt-1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_a0bsfvCu10Y9vWCfAaNQ1ma_Bt1NSMHvfgh3C45BugU0YNRAXNsrDlLsaN4L4gMTRhT2PdfDD8DIf244vhkNVo_G6Pw8sYUHDrmnJky_0ld7qmCzmlw2fndBgyWAbMyUon8sZtx3fQ/s320/Leopard_Chital_Hunt-1077.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And indeed it was a
dry morning safari drive for the first hour or more and then as matter of luck
a leopard was spotted relaxing on a bund on a popular location known as
president road at Kabini. I was busy making portraits of this young male
leopard; little did I expect, that a storm was all set to break. Refer (Image
1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">It was just about 8am and suddenly dark clouds were seen
covering the sky, a storm was surely on its way. In the meantime the leopard decided
to move and took cover inside the bushes. He had noticed that a large group of
spotted deers (Chital) approaching in his direction. I looked at the deers they
were over 50mts away, and completely unaware of the leopard’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q0ZTtmpiekU-kBK8KvuS_lQJe7TERkCqv2b_P1futYQ9RCkakFguFUJU27Y1yXLVyoVA_dk5HeLJer_6N2Qu_3FFT0VJk8GyxuHgpbOP2ZravjdrXbsnf0CmZxZpCDXA5VGevhl96s8/s1600/Leopard_Chital_Kill-1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0q0ZTtmpiekU-kBK8KvuS_lQJe7TERkCqv2b_P1futYQ9RCkakFguFUJU27Y1yXLVyoVA_dk5HeLJer_6N2Qu_3FFT0VJk8GyxuHgpbOP2ZravjdrXbsnf0CmZxZpCDXA5VGevhl96s8/s320/Leopard_Chital_Kill-1130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">Excitement began, I anticipated some action, and I kept my
eye towards the bushes and the deers. The leopard patiently waited, stalked and
finally the storm broke. The leopard popped out in a flash, putting his special
technique on job, Precision, Speed and Power, he attacked one of the deers,
didn’t even give a chance for it to react. Typically the leopard’s strength and
strategy is to strangle her to death by choking her windpipe. And this is what
exactly we witnessed, holding the prey by throat. The alarm calls given by
large group of deers are still echoing in my ears. (Refer Image 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">Initially the leopard tried dragging the deers utilizing the
strength of his jaws and moving backwards, he realized it was taking longer
than expected, as the deer was quite heavy. These cats avoid exposing their
kill in the open for various reasons, like counter attack by other predators or
scavengers hence will make all possible efforts to drag the prey into the
bushes and later carry it high up on a tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">The leopard continued to drag the chital, taking breaks in
intervals of few seconds and it was interesting to observe the leopard taking
cover under this small fallen branch of a tree surrounded with bunch of leaves.
Infact these cats will make every possible attempt to avoid and expose them in
the open,. (Refer image 3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">To ensure he moves quickly the typical strategy adopted by
the leopard, he actually brings down the chital under his belly between the
hind legs, yet holding it firmly with his jaws and walks fast and disappears
into the bushes. (Refer image 4).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jcSMxu4hantpQdivWvFble2vPI4wJyYm3n4lm33eODwb64z5HmNj1QnRFJVCAlniLHKXLhoahJ3zQKeFQVw5SBRdhRrq_GlRgSVNhNZyhp9w5_N2YIe376iFsIghcn4BSlyhfP8tEDc/s1600/Leopard_Chital_Kill-1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jcSMxu4hantpQdivWvFble2vPI4wJyYm3n4lm33eODwb64z5HmNj1QnRFJVCAlniLHKXLhoahJ3zQKeFQVw5SBRdhRrq_GlRgSVNhNZyhp9w5_N2YIe376iFsIghcn4BSlyhfP8tEDc/s320/Leopard_Chital_Kill-1150.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">The action was not over yet, probably the Rain Gods too held
their excitement during this hunt and suddenly clouds broke and it poured cats
and dogs. I felt truly blessed to witness this fine and rare natural history,
however one of my friends couldn’t control her emotions and tears were seen
pouring from her eyes. This is the truth of raw nature; in order for one to
live other has to die, that’s how life in our Forest Ecosystem is continues…</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQfWh8RWG8Tw86SY4My0gEvT4KVvdAAuPNYcde19ZIMSRhgijtKWvLfIJynQXuAfDjq0EnhUkAOp9cEfLkzlDI1WKOFjXlm0_azCN-e1QKj3G9NuRZTRVp8hUPog7wpw0tv8ky0v-ZvY/s1600/Leopard_Chital_Kill_130mm-1011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQfWh8RWG8Tw86SY4My0gEvT4KVvdAAuPNYcde19ZIMSRhgijtKWvLfIJynQXuAfDjq0EnhUkAOp9cEfLkzlDI1WKOFjXlm0_azCN-e1QKj3G9NuRZTRVp8hUPog7wpw0tv8ky0v-ZvY/s320/Leopard_Chital_Kill_130mm-1011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">More information on Leopards -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";">Leopards use a combination of stealth and patience when
hunting, moving in as close as possible to the prey before attempting a charge
or lying in wait for the prey to come within range. The power of the leopard
enables it to pull the carcass onto a tree away from other predators such as
tigers and wild dogs. A leopard can lift 2-3 times more than its own body
weight into the branches.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
you may wish to follow me on https://www.facebook.com/PraveenSiddannavarPhotography/<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>546</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3115</o:Characters>
<o:Company>KPIT</o:Company>
<o:Lines>25</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3654</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-2266808141178646022012-10-02T18:42:00.001+05:302012-10-02T18:42:14.594+05:30Praveen Siddannavar's Blog: SCUBA Diving, exploring life under sea...<a href="http://www.refreshyourminds.blogspot.in/2012/10/scuba-diving-exploring-life-under-sea.html">Praveen Siddannavar's Blog: SCUBA Diving, exploring life under sea...</a>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-11259067794818902032012-10-02T13:09:00.000+05:302012-10-02T13:37:24.824+05:30SCUBA Diving, exploring life under sea...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeMZyr8RR7GVOPNVbkjHBN3V83eTXsy9pv2wjwNL-ahZuZ31myk-ICAIhuQdW6o9y9taYtEM1pPmvtyu1mv-QUyHcZZupXoinRWi1sN3LBwPDM8KKEWTFMytOdRUIujjTLplQBNf0HBg/s1600/Murudeshwara-Temple2-6025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYGJGNFwctNDTvM0eOwlF4AEXsCAjD1FGZ4hOdVtCrs1kIp2fnjDcKPP6itX6AtWY6aw47QAWLpTLxVIkh5pHIM52T6bQCz0DrAYinuLAWu7Y7x9vgk6P63kEfDI5rgkVXlLzvo6-6po/s1600/Marine-life1-6403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOmdwZdDuq0rMQ_GuQNpc8vgh3_f48_kF_8iykd-S885mrg1HNBwnxs9cPZrBO9RsIfXmKSKMNetn-FiA5O0W6soyhqmXxt9ZDoc5-6_zaO2OnkaF0XY4EvbpQJyQB4PSvWt1qUvZ-Yw/s1600/Praveen-Under-water1-6734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOmdwZdDuq0rMQ_GuQNpc8vgh3_f48_kF_8iykd-S885mrg1HNBwnxs9cPZrBO9RsIfXmKSKMNetn-FiA5O0W6soyhqmXxt9ZDoc5-6_zaO2OnkaF0XY4EvbpQJyQB4PSvWt1qUvZ-Yw/s400/Praveen-Under-water1-6734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-weight: normal;">It was 3rd December 2011,
Tsunami had hit Japan, and it was a big disaster, Japan is still recovering
from this trauma. I and a few friends visited Wild Woods Spa Resort located
near Murudeshwara off the NH17 highway. Mr.KP Shetty Owner of the resort had
arranged Scuba diving lessons for us, you may wish to visit their website <a href="http://www.wildwoodspsa.com/">www.wildwoodsspa.com</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp5AU9nRpmaRP4akeOSHXE8P-KFcUHRBqEozEEfaux_xeHBT6juvplmk3VZzGRfIx-C31r6FxfoXYlqDjaIzP86_oU2clYP4Gaf8zwpmLVhWzRjBTK2pCO_fOrqiEEhjK-9xfDSe2bZ0/s1600/Prveen-Guru-underwater2-6771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeMZyr8RR7GVOPNVbkjHBN3V83eTXsy9pv2wjwNL-ahZuZ31myk-ICAIhuQdW6o9y9taYtEM1pPmvtyu1mv-QUyHcZZupXoinRWi1sN3LBwPDM8KKEWTFMytOdRUIujjTLplQBNf0HBg/s1600/Murudeshwara-Temple2-6025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeMZyr8RR7GVOPNVbkjHBN3V83eTXsy9pv2wjwNL-ahZuZ31myk-ICAIhuQdW6o9y9taYtEM1pPmvtyu1mv-QUyHcZZupXoinRWi1sN3LBwPDM8KKEWTFMytOdRUIujjTLplQBNf0HBg/s400/Murudeshwara-Temple2-6025.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWq4X5vfbBNsSqz04jmWRBmx7SzVcX8BIV9vKhopSZbtVW0F30FkIb4B_4_VMUhyphenhyphenIjxCZyeYNxCX8q5cX4pg785izHl4WDZ7p3lli6-dxt-7nqNcXY357ANIknn8XXS9BzaKH2Lr4Kc4/s1600/Murudeshwara-Temple1-6029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWq4X5vfbBNsSqz04jmWRBmx7SzVcX8BIV9vKhopSZbtVW0F30FkIb4B_4_VMUhyphenhyphenIjxCZyeYNxCX8q5cX4pg785izHl4WDZ7p3lli6-dxt-7nqNcXY357ANIknn8XXS9BzaKH2Lr4Kc4/s400/Murudeshwara-Temple1-6029.jpg" width="266" /></a> </span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Due to fear of Tsunami,
the beach as expected was empty; no tourists whatsoever & the few that
visited were seen around the temple. Even the Scuba Diving shop was with no
customers and it is quite obvious that no one would like to risk their lives in
such a situation. Even few of my friends backed out last minute, however I had
my colleague Guru Prasad and we both were escorted by the resort staff. We were
quite determined & had made up our minds so as per our plan we went ahead
to take a dive. For both of us it was first time experience of Scuba dive.
There are several formalities that we had to complete like our id proof, photo
id and filling up some declaration forms. Once we had done our bit, the Scuba
diving shop has to seek permission from the Police Dept, and this time the cops
were reluctant to give permission. Our instructor Dhirendra Rawat called me and
updated that it will take some time before he convinces and gets the
permission, so he asked us to hang around for a while.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYGJGNFwctNDTvM0eOwlF4AEXsCAjD1FGZ4hOdVtCrs1kIp2fnjDcKPP6itX6AtWY6aw47QAWLpTLxVIkh5pHIM52T6bQCz0DrAYinuLAWu7Y7x9vgk6P63kEfDI5rgkVXlLzvo6-6po/s1600/Marine-life1-6403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYGJGNFwctNDTvM0eOwlF4AEXsCAjD1FGZ4hOdVtCrs1kIp2fnjDcKPP6itX6AtWY6aw47QAWLpTLxVIkh5pHIM52T6bQCz0DrAYinuLAWu7Y7x9vgk6P63kEfDI5rgkVXlLzvo6-6po/s400/Marine-life1-6403.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">It was quite hot and
humid, we decided to pay visit to the Murudeshwara temple which is located on
the beach, and here we worship Lord Shiva. I took this opportunity to make few
images of the temple. As we were getting out of the temple I got call from
Dhitendra and the good news was that our permission to visit Netrani Islands
and Scuba diving was granted. After waiting for an hour or so there was
something to cheer, probably even GOD was with us to make this happen.
Dhirendra arrived with our permission letters and we all boarded the motor boat
to reach Netrani Island, the ride is ~ over an hour’s journey in the Arabian
Sea. During the journey we were given complete briefing about do’s and don’ts,
basics of Scuba diving and other precautions that one needs to take. After the
briefing I wasn’t sure if I can really do it, breathing with
oxygen apparatus under sea was something new and of course tricky, SCUBA
acronym – </span><span style="font-size: small;">Self
Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC7iOLt0IfFzzhwMFHmIr7hvPY6k78fwubFszsRdbRpB2kKISQUP5OHPk89h86Rues9uTwyXAUsDVof_w-XAbW6Yv4j75GRMn7T0HdxtmKbNVyPP7SEtKHpraqAgntt00pfzdpO-BIlg/s1600/Marine-life3-6346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilC7iOLt0IfFzzhwMFHmIr7hvPY6k78fwubFszsRdbRpB2kKISQUP5OHPk89h86Rues9uTwyXAUsDVof_w-XAbW6Yv4j75GRMn7T0HdxtmKbNVyPP7SEtKHpraqAgntt00pfzdpO-BIlg/s400/Marine-life3-6346.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">As we cruised towards
Netrani Islands my heart beat increased, I was really nervous. I was asked to
be ready with the scuba diving gear, quite a heavy one</span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">J</span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">. I
thought I can take a normal jump into the sea but as per the guidelines one has
to fall on his/her back into the sea. The first 15 minutes were tough and I was
practicing the technique of breathing with the Oxygen apparatus. After a while
we both were a bit comfortable and now we were ready to go. We had 2
instructors Dhirendra for me and Kishore for Guru. And now I was all set to
explore the marine life under the sea. My instructor Dhirendra was quite
cooperative and guided me right into the deep blue waters. </span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">As I swam into the deep
waters, I couldn’t believe my eyes; I felt I was in a different world all
together. I was surrounded by beautiful and colorful small fishes, they aren’t
harmful watching them was a treat to my eyes. After a while my instructor asked
me if I was ok, since we can’t talk all signals are done by hand. I responded
him that I am ok he then guided me further down and believe me I hadn’t seen
live corals before. This was amazing stuff to see different kinds of corals.
Having been used to forest so much on bumpy jeep rides and sighting tigers,
this was some experience, to my luck I also sighted a large shark at a
distance. Later I was even excited to see few lobsters & large shrimps my
mouth was watering seeing them</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">J</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">, quite obvious for a seafood lover
like me.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HbOsu3iuzhRemZFRpG5h4fIRXFSZ8GKWmVtzPswqHG9Unsxtv8JScl1ydO8ogzksurTsdHo8BsiXdQS3XWeRkLsIi0sM9738HVI5H2raKrx5CUkR9CpPuT4bQARfamLYip7Ah3pCdQc/s1600/Marine-life5-6553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HbOsu3iuzhRemZFRpG5h4fIRXFSZ8GKWmVtzPswqHG9Unsxtv8JScl1ydO8ogzksurTsdHo8BsiXdQS3XWeRkLsIi0sM9738HVI5H2raKrx5CUkR9CpPuT4bQARfamLYip7Ah3pCdQc/s400/Marine-life5-6553.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">My instructor was taking
my pictures and also filming, he then handed over the camera to me, it was an
experience of my life to take few shots underwater. After about 20-30 minutes I
was out and really exhausted, but believe me if you haven’t experienced Scuba
Diving then you surely are missing something in life. I have uploaded a video
clip on face book, kindly click the link to watch it.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp5AU9nRpmaRP4akeOSHXE8P-KFcUHRBqEozEEfaux_xeHBT6juvplmk3VZzGRfIx-C31r6FxfoXYlqDjaIzP86_oU2clYP4Gaf8zwpmLVhWzRjBTK2pCO_fOrqiEEhjK-9xfDSe2bZ0/s1600/Prveen-Guru-underwater2-6771.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdp5AU9nRpmaRP4akeOSHXE8P-KFcUHRBqEozEEfaux_xeHBT6juvplmk3VZzGRfIx-C31r6FxfoXYlqDjaIzP86_oU2clYP4Gaf8zwpmLVhWzRjBTK2pCO_fOrqiEEhjK-9xfDSe2bZ0/s400/Prveen-Guru-underwater2-6771.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd-_521oqFXgux_E0PEHa5dE8K2u2kbWyHXZEuishLkwtj24era5_8V-qDZdFTsY7xq-N7u6ly0G3jzm5ljfasZwKConRL8Vt2U-sYieebzkGPD5B7JJE6yqJ-Qh7R3hhrmDs4EQ-bnU/s1600/Marine-life4-6623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd-_521oqFXgux_E0PEHa5dE8K2u2kbWyHXZEuishLkwtj24era5_8V-qDZdFTsY7xq-N7u6ly0G3jzm5ljfasZwKConRL8Vt2U-sYieebzkGPD5B7JJE6yqJ-Qh7R3hhrmDs4EQ-bnU/s400/Marine-life4-6623.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpoOqDgbMisHKPAhw510PPA9z-zx8AF51W6bfJKNMFw__li30lsYi0jldEtPBVKQl3xAW0gLD9_zoXnoVx3gF4JnrUBn5-II-WGhQJ9QOMaqXZLJQjIhgJpionmQpbWv28HIFojYU9sg/s1600/Marine-life2-6543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpoOqDgbMisHKPAhw510PPA9z-zx8AF51W6bfJKNMFw__li30lsYi0jldEtPBVKQl3xAW0gLD9_zoXnoVx3gF4JnrUBn5-II-WGhQJ9QOMaqXZLJQjIhgJpionmQpbWv28HIFojYU9sg/s400/Marine-life2-6543.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=187715977938240&set=vb.100000995173647&type=2&theater">http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=187715977938240&set=vb.100000995173647&type=2&theater</a></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF-q0eo8j6QuyifZv35W7mPOIg1PbK6E6JbDrNYTnpv8VoUsxnVgozK1NaTa24zvI3de9zBCkceyqNeGuU7-7FXhDp8gj516SPMRoNc8-dzb6sNWCx0VPDcLyUZJ8vUAlb4dXQuZNmU0/s1600/Netrani-Island1-6057.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXF-q0eo8j6QuyifZv35W7mPOIg1PbK6E6JbDrNYTnpv8VoUsxnVgozK1NaTa24zvI3de9zBCkceyqNeGuU7-7FXhDp8gj516SPMRoNc8-dzb6sNWCx0VPDcLyUZJ8vUAlb4dXQuZNmU0/s400/Netrani-Island1-6057.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Info on Netrani Islands-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Netrani</span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> is a
tiny island is located in the Arabian Sea. It is off the coast of Karnataka,
situated approximately 10 nautical miles (19 km) from the temple town
of Murudeshwara. This Island has some of the best sites for Scuba Diving easily
accessible from Goa, Mumbai or Bangalore.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Netrani is a coral island and, therefore, is
very suitable for snorkeling and diving activities. Many varieties of Corals,
Butterfly fish, Trigger fish, Parrot fish and more can be seen here. In
addition Whales and Sharks are seen if you are really lucky. Normally
diving/snorkeling is done from a boat which is anchored close to the island and
usually visitors do not climb on to the island because of the sharp rocks and steep
cliffs on the island.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This island offers diving suitable for
professionals. The island adjacent to Netrani is used by the Indian navy for
target practice. One needs to seek permission from Police Dept to visit and do
Scuba Diving at Netrani Island. The best time to visit is between December and
January. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-39931756547875461442012-08-25T13:29:00.000+05:302012-08-25T13:36:01.600+05:30My Encounter with a Jaguar - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="hasCaption"></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5036484a2f8de5911795691">
<span class="hasCaption"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_g2myUl3TB06tJ1l1Bj48HLCIJB1AU48gBcTD5Et16Mdpdh93ShTKUnYFRfeRVUTFHgETmrIorZBbpxw1cK5Wvoe-ZgPR_yD6VqjHJ-H2mXksU7zREzdpkh-mdQ4sZnglku8ZnnHqB8/s1600/Jagaur-Pantanal1-7381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><span class="hasCaption"><span class="hasCaption"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl5fh2i6Y6wcKJEKNiljl0G1mKrNHwOb5XLdD-bsAm8flpHi4Z0JI3plYBbKQJ-EdXlgGEyvhu_-y1hW667_aJ5Lb0QImvQaZOi13iAt-9R1JudESdHYfWAk1ZDyv9nko5U3z3HzqKfU/s1600/Brazil1-5263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl5fh2i6Y6wcKJEKNiljl0G1mKrNHwOb5XLdD-bsAm8flpHi4Z0JI3plYBbKQJ-EdXlgGEyvhu_-y1hW667_aJ5Lb0QImvQaZOi13iAt-9R1JudESdHYfWAk1ZDyv9nko5U3z3HzqKfU/s320/Brazil1-5263.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">I have traveled to
most of the forests in India namely the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Nagarahole
National Park, BR Hills, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranthambore National Park, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and Jim
Corrbett. I was wondering what makes Pantanal in Brazil so special that most
people around the world travel to South America to visit Pantanal. Honestly
traveling to Pantanal was never my dream nor in my wish list, it was mere a coincidence I had to travel Brazil on business and this provided me the opportunity
to visit Pantanal. Most of us are unaware of this place & invariably Kenya & Tanzania in Africa is the prime focal point in most wildlife destinations.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaURwsn16v5iV8UPcFxTScHmPe7vp1snHDZcDI5_IeVkryFt5vmprq3bS5IoupKndLFtIEovABMtoIDF5xaRyqwnRq-xChyZwUr0NjY5diaaKUilOCm_zPJ-7Ro6DkJtKvIwCLXjA1qA/s1600/Sun-set-Trans-Pantanal1-6499.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaURwsn16v5iV8UPcFxTScHmPe7vp1snHDZcDI5_IeVkryFt5vmprq3bS5IoupKndLFtIEovABMtoIDF5xaRyqwnRq-xChyZwUr0NjY5diaaKUilOCm_zPJ-7Ro6DkJtKvIwCLXjA1qA/s320/Sun-set-Trans-Pantanal1-6499.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">This is one reason
why Pantanal is less known and is under severe threat. Pantanal is one of the
most immense, pristine and biologically rich environments on the planet. Often
referred to as the world’s largest wetland system, it extends through millions
of hectares of central-western Brazil, eastern Bolivia and eastern Paraguay.
With its extraordinarily concentrated and diverse flora and fauna, and a
landscape spanning a variety of ecological sub-regions, the Pantanal stands as
one of the world’s great natural wonders.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOaImFzyfo4nFsOLRyWkmo4y6kU_aTVGOXXcgCTzRQqO73kZtzM0t-Iyvz_Moc0zQbaJu7h86al1fCunbs8gRQkKPzhpvwbOtrhK4imCX-LZ05a5VDgNrBM3PktJmyo70dlyj1S6QfdE/s1600/Safari-Boat1-7392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOaImFzyfo4nFsOLRyWkmo4y6kU_aTVGOXXcgCTzRQqO73kZtzM0t-Iyvz_Moc0zQbaJu7h86al1fCunbs8gRQkKPzhpvwbOtrhK4imCX-LZ05a5VDgNrBM3PktJmyo70dlyj1S6QfdE/s320/Safari-Boat1-7392.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">This area is an
unparalleled wildlife sanctuary of spectacular beauty, an ecological paradise
containing hundreds of species of birds, thousands of varieties of butterflies,
myriads of brightly colored flowers, and shoals of fish. Capuchin and Howler
monkeys, capybaras, toucans, anacondas, caimans and tapirs help create an aquatic
and sylvan theater of sights and sounds. The endangered jaguar, and
increasingly rare Hyacinthine macaws and giant river otters, all make their
home in the Pantanal. The Pantanal also provides incalculable economic
benefits. It offers a huge area for water purification and groundwater
discharge and recharge, climate stabilization, water supply, flood abatement,
and an extensive, transport system, among numerous other important functions.
And yet, despite the region’s beauty and remarkable environmental and economic
value, the Pantanal remains poorly unknown and faces an uncertain future
stemming from a myriad of socioeconomic pressures. While the Pantanal remains
comparatively untouched, without correct understanding, timely action and wise
management, its future could be seriously compromised.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaURwsn16v5iV8UPcFxTScHmPe7vp1snHDZcDI5_IeVkryFt5vmprq3bS5IoupKndLFtIEovABMtoIDF5xaRyqwnRq-xChyZwUr0NjY5diaaKUilOCm_zPJ-7Ro6DkJtKvIwCLXjA1qA/s1600/Sun-set-Trans-Pantanal1-6499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_g2myUl3TB06tJ1l1Bj48HLCIJB1AU48gBcTD5Et16Mdpdh93ShTKUnYFRfeRVUTFHgETmrIorZBbpxw1cK5Wvoe-ZgPR_yD6VqjHJ-H2mXksU7zREzdpkh-mdQ4sZnglku8ZnnHqB8/s1600/Jagaur-Pantanal1-7381.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_g2myUl3TB06tJ1l1Bj48HLCIJB1AU48gBcTD5Et16Mdpdh93ShTKUnYFRfeRVUTFHgETmrIorZBbpxw1cK5Wvoe-ZgPR_yD6VqjHJ-H2mXksU7zREzdpkh-mdQ4sZnglku8ZnnHqB8/s320/Jagaur-Pantanal1-7381.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">There
have been so many images and stories to share from my Brazil trip;
however I am not finding the time to process & compile them. Today
finally the time has come to share the most awaited “My Encounters with
Jaguar”. Having seen and photographed plenty of Tigers and Leopards in
Indian forests, I was wondering what makes a Jaguar so special that
people from all over the world travel to South America especially Pantanal in Brazil to just have a glimpse of this cat. </span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It was Saturday the 24th Sept’11, I was on the boat safari ride and the
time was around 12 noon, the boatman and my guide were insisting that
we stop for lunch. It is quite obvious we start the day quite early at
5:30am with breakfast and one feels hungry by noon. We hadn’t spotted
any Jaguars since morning and I knew that I didn’t have all the time in
the world, was here for a short stay in Pantanal, I requested that we
take another round on the three brothers rivers & then break for lunch.
As we were heading towards the three brothers river, suddenly a capybara
from the bank that was on our right, jumped into the river. The capybara
swam across and started making loud sounds. I told my guide that it’s
an alarm call, to my surprise he wasn’t aware what an alarm call is? My
experience in Indian forests helped me to understand the situation
better.</span><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDChDNQDEloyeJgIdcZwTwfydQmfn2GqZgk3vmk5vSTeNn3Fa64kCDKfo-k53mxumu8sosCH8w45hv1IjFkRFy1Ku2IgvNIQpzmddPcgLiiH3O-Hi60d5-ufpSoZBtvuxcZfsoXvQ2dk/s1600/Kapi-Bara1-7350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDChDNQDEloyeJgIdcZwTwfydQmfn2GqZgk3vmk5vSTeNn3Fa64kCDKfo-k53mxumu8sosCH8w45hv1IjFkRFy1Ku2IgvNIQpzmddPcgLiiH3O-Hi60d5-ufpSoZBtvuxcZfsoXvQ2dk/s320/Kapi-Bara1-7350.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Capybara is the largest living rodent in the world; its
main diet is grass and vegetation. They belong to the wild pig family
and of course cousins of wild pig. Coincidentally capybaras are the
favorite meal for Jaguars, Caimans (Crocodile) & to the dangerous
Anacondas. I was 100% sure that the capybara had seen the Jaguar
somewhere in the bushes hence the alarm calls. Later this capybara
joined a small group of other capybaras who also got cautioned hearing the
alarm calls, they all were looking in one direction, as seen in the
image.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now my guide and boatman too were convinced that
somewhere a Jaguar is hiding. Choku my guide used a powerful binocular
and managed to spot the elusive cat. But how can I photograph this cat
behind the bushes, sharing the image just that you get an idea how this
beauty was nicely camouflaged & hiding.</span><span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjompeZJBYjP_diZ3ePqw0wxzuyF3gjIQwJVwM9_cwSR4kZy5tk7901ZEoTycYMkuwhxeOkYF4DWSzoon6exSQRlTLwQwGnCUVXd2tz0oqIHdKXNZh06x2Q1tVn3zvI6O1ERgqjMKKO4/s1600/Jaguar-Hiding-7365.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjompeZJBYjP_diZ3ePqw0wxzuyF3gjIQwJVwM9_cwSR4kZy5tk7901ZEoTycYMkuwhxeOkYF4DWSzoon6exSQRlTLwQwGnCUVXd2tz0oqIHdKXNZh06x2Q1tVn3zvI6O1ERgqjMKKO4/s320/Jaguar-Hiding-7365.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWwk84fNig_D3wI04_ajDGWSPkfWeog4AEjedKnZhbHig_tBWobncXphyWBm-F06rhM7JXmkIKkMryj6ZUsVRfYuxurROKL2qaSRXmlvBdhBHHs36nz2oM3Ue1epAlSbrekB61Gpxea0/s1600/Jaguar-Pantanal17-7378.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWwk84fNig_D3wI04_ajDGWSPkfWeog4AEjedKnZhbHig_tBWobncXphyWBm-F06rhM7JXmkIKkMryj6ZUsVRfYuxurROKL2qaSRXmlvBdhBHHs36nz2oM3Ue1epAlSbrekB61Gpxea0/s320/Jaguar-Pantanal17-7378.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">All this while our
motor boat engine was switched off, now since we spotted the Jaguar from
a distance we had to start the engine to move in closer. The boat movement was
in our favor as the Jaguar too started to move behind the bushes on the
edge of the river bank. I remember I had only 3 or 4 occasions when he
came out partially in the open I took the opportunity to shoot few
images. The sighting lasted only for few minutes and the Jaguar again
disappeared into the bushes. Believe me it isn’t easy to shoot in a
moving boat, but fortunately I managed few decent shots. We waited for a
while, but with temperature almost ~40 degree Celsius chances of
Jaguar coming out were almost nil.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="hasCaption" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuBvhw1Cn0CfFf__GxtmczmK474zwbZscMfX7f5q0AiFmPJVKolZT9vShGX7QsxJq5wKwrzoy0NhoQlJAb1aeGakBFgtLnV2BXjbl0ps6FMw7LOc4KScz1EUl2ROxvi7YRevAsSZ7mx0/s1600/Jaguar-Pantanal18-7382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuBvhw1Cn0CfFf__GxtmczmK474zwbZscMfX7f5q0AiFmPJVKolZT9vShGX7QsxJq5wKwrzoy0NhoQlJAb1aeGakBFgtLnV2BXjbl0ps6FMw7LOc4KScz1EUl2ROxvi7YRevAsSZ7mx0/s320/Jaguar-Pantanal18-7382.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Without wasting much time I
celebrated this sighting by having a chilled SKOL:), a Brazilian beer
and we then proceeded to have our packed lunch. What happens post lunch
is very unique and even more interesting, but unfortunately you have to
wait for some time. I will share it soon, so stay tuned!</span><br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">How does one differentiate between a Jaguar and a
Leopard?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">While the Jaguar closely resembles the Leopard, it
is sturdier and heavier, and the two animals can be distinguished by their
rosettes, the rosettes on a jaguar's coat are larger, fewer in number, usually
darker, and have thicker lines and small spots in the middle that the leopard lacks.
Jaguars also have rounder heads and shorter, stockier limbs compared to
leopards. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Unlike
other big cats, jaguars kill prey by crushing the spinal column and must have a
much stronger bite in order to do so. This means that the shape of their skull
is unique among the cat species. As a result, they have the strongest
bite-force of any member of the cat family--even stronger than lions and
tigers. The jaguar weighs twice as much on average than a leopard.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
A fully grown male jaguar can even weigh up to 160 kilograms almost equivalent
to a Tiger.</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList">
<span class="fcg"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-23590241367304703892012-08-23T08:39:00.000+05:302012-08-23T08:39:22.713+05:30In Search of a Malabar Pit Viper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ahd6RMC6XJivsFVcO23-5livW4cFw0MbIHQu1_axISTLcBsxFMgrBfTjIq9h2Vc4p6aqYxVXk8NCPV_qT6ASw21WqnPMWLV6dgnveXQev2CIEIiZOJMF85u0b-qNmA6J_3pbcxBpLqg/s1600/Hitler-Bug2-5364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_14lUg9IoJjaDbDiWbs8pbjOK133ueQfBGIqXicrWFB9jgY0qg5jYQANtpyA4Z8zfbg8zOH-QuiKmPFRhdShM9qycp03FYBhMeDvRq5BA_ZyJxMQPPMHgnlmZPlfg8qXj3lfAGGtCMRU/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper1-2805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_14lUg9IoJjaDbDiWbs8pbjOK133ueQfBGIqXicrWFB9jgY0qg5jYQANtpyA4Z8zfbg8zOH-QuiKmPFRhdShM9qycp03FYBhMeDvRq5BA_ZyJxMQPPMHgnlmZPlfg8qXj3lfAGGtCMRU/s320/Malabar-Pit-Viper1-2805.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sensing our presence - Malabar Pit Viper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tToh5PNNbkVRrKjIipXH1plrL9-a04RkG9hjHBJmyxi44GlYNz5HeCU7mD7xowUh6-a4b6IHL0B1tPdZCkKMvS_yTSEacz5nB4BJEnb95GKOnFg4a7TyOkdRkDd8gdhUoPqKW-h5L5s/s1600/Fortuner3-2672.jpg"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tToh5PNNbkVRrKjIipXH1plrL9-a04RkG9hjHBJmyxi44GlYNz5HeCU7mD7xowUh6-a4b6IHL0B1tPdZCkKMvS_yTSEacz5nB4BJEnb95GKOnFg4a7TyOkdRkDd8gdhUoPqKW-h5L5s/s320/Fortuner3-2672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Inspired
by Austin Stevens - a Herpetologist, a great photographer and film
maker too, I admire him most for his famous documentary on Animal Planet
“In Search of the King Cobra” that
was filmed entirely in the Western Ghats, India. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyMpcdOJhTKtskAFKxXVHNSG7Bd3HwRyMv3xk1AtDMPdNjqRQpbolTDKBkhZdTTZvbESavKDujqY44gvZMQukSB3nSQrDmMUnNL9QjSlcsigVGhZuYK-AB9wbkXdpkiwdK5Jl_bHYQ8I/s1600/Kavalesath1-2643.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kND2SLhOMh-87VVn448WlhkpfKEXNzy_N5kVvEpZhqYmsN1D9ZYYWKbkRxiK3AabP8cjuCSW7RQpI5MOuZIaAhE3QSoX4gekqN7toYAxPvMPs9ERArnHHeGzcY1dUMN6-vaxI3WMHyY/s1600/Deccan-Banded-Gecko3-5446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Here I share my experience going after a very rare, venomous Snake known as the ‘Malabar Pit Viper.’ These are nocturnal
snakes & mostly active in the night and is
spotted only during monsoons. I had two choices to make for high
probability of spotting these snakes, one at Agumbe and other at
Amboli. At Agumbe accommodation is available only at Agumbe Rainforest
Research Station and one needs to book it well in advance,
Unfortunately I didn’t make any bookings, so I had no option but to travel to Amboli.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxjKsfc7bES0ikA4ts73IrAX0zGNjcN9GIqUCKy6PRmrwW9cRgnyjgssnFG_B68FPfAn7flLPt0YNS3fZzC6Xsm4Eaqe5GDhhBh4vgI5kcUvjmqwGHe-ultF9vZW1B1Gp3REMzlNwaNA/s1600/Fortuner1-2690.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg98oa_-Y3CbuNh8n267vCWIWLgqPkboYPXId5ZbLCzSeMZl_OUSg2d_wwUYuSeRdpBp6PSWPSmYK-Yf6mugLewZTBCzNjh0qVGwkF-A9Ys3zLdlejW4dVuDu5zFgB9q5UKjxaCBKIS4/s1600/Unexplored-Way1-2686.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg98oa_-Y3CbuNh8n267vCWIWLgqPkboYPXId5ZbLCzSeMZl_OUSg2d_wwUYuSeRdpBp6PSWPSmYK-Yf6mugLewZTBCzNjh0qVGwkF-A9Ys3zLdlejW4dVuDu5zFgB9q5UKjxaCBKIS4/s320/Unexplored-Way1-2686.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way to Heaven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tToh5PNNbkVRrKjIipXH1plrL9-a04RkG9hjHBJmyxi44GlYNz5HeCU7mD7xowUh6-a4b6IHL0B1tPdZCkKMvS_yTSEacz5nB4BJEnb95GKOnFg4a7TyOkdRkDd8gdhUoPqKW-h5L5s/s1600/Fortuner3-2672.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3gUrRkeq-PU2tlcd21LUZLZ7j_29gXEM77GWSRVK0MokaTws2Bs3R5ZfX3mu3pThpTPsadjfHGrZvVWIZWa7u0alyCLj1rqIAJCoesWh0uvfGXWnUArUUruJ-nwgavpedIsS2SEo7f0/s1600/Fortuner1-2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyMpcdOJhTKtskAFKxXVHNSG7Bd3HwRyMv3xk1AtDMPdNjqRQpbolTDKBkhZdTTZvbESavKDujqY44gvZMQukSB3nSQrDmMUnNL9QjSlcsigVGhZuYK-AB9wbkXdpkiwdK5Jl_bHYQ8I/s1600/Kavalesath1-2643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyMpcdOJhTKtskAFKxXVHNSG7Bd3HwRyMv3xk1AtDMPdNjqRQpbolTDKBkhZdTTZvbESavKDujqY44gvZMQukSB3nSQrDmMUnNL9QjSlcsigVGhZuYK-AB9wbkXdpkiwdK5Jl_bHYQ8I/s320/Kavalesath1-2643.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kavalesad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Amboli,
a biodiversity hotspot for some rare Amphibians and Reptiles is a hill
station in south Maharashtra State. At an altitude of 690 meters it is
the last hill station before the coastal
highlands of Goa and a relatively unexplored one. Just an hour’s drive
from Belgaum - my hometown, Amboli is Maharashtra’s Cheerapunji &
the wettest place in the state. Historically, Amboli village came into
being as one of the staging posts along the road
from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used
by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSZE5BUCDGdQ_zO5iZHWwXows_Cr1jGVWRVLWDJE3jXYCcByl4TWcBe3KzY7QamJpIw0vbN92rPcq4NbOFupTNwU84CFY-ZqZZhew1xu3R4lyqWI_OjK1HspLeXjZWRuo_edEES-1J6E/s1600/Fortuner2-2676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSZE5BUCDGdQ_zO5iZHWwXows_Cr1jGVWRVLWDJE3jXYCcByl4TWcBe3KzY7QamJpIw0vbN92rPcq4NbOFupTNwU84CFY-ZqZZhew1xu3R4lyqWI_OjK1HspLeXjZWRuo_edEES-1J6E/s320/Fortuner2-2676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX3BCpXNJpMErFVz5GHTBt7wtT_hTQRQI45zaBu52EvikS2nB4qpJZHqLtRxgXU7pyrWAAplT76gST_hn_MbvTSRhTMJ_rTPQ8eTn_12akbqI6pjSQgNOogTpWnDfLSDneAJEpH0Uo40/s1600/Deccan-Banded-Gecko2-5433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
had made are our stay arrangements at Whistling Woods, a small homestay
run by Hemant Ogale, Owner cum Naturalist/Guide and a photographer too. The accommodation was quite comfortable and the food was awesome. We ordered Non-Veg Malavani Thali, a simple meal but very delicious that consists of Sol Kadi a special konkan appetizer made of Kokam and Cocount milk and excellent for digestion, it also acts as strong antacid agent, Chapatis, Chicken Curry and Steam Rice. In addition we had ordered Fried Fish, a konkan style fry can't get any better.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhSVxFgKA2hkE9NGdXbNmmQltNmyx3IjCrYO_Q9XoUgSt4KWeVR7ZMECwBMe6QIEN_XrKoKN60QLUqvDBm3ExWV2rASEGKYEWVBRl43Zbyr6ZSUeKj9iHWz5ZrasuqoMKMzI6lT3kdk8/s1600/owl-Eyed-Moth3-5407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhSVxFgKA2hkE9NGdXbNmmQltNmyx3IjCrYO_Q9XoUgSt4KWeVR7ZMECwBMe6QIEN_XrKoKN60QLUqvDBm3ExWV2rASEGKYEWVBRl43Zbyr6ZSUeKj9iHWz5ZrasuqoMKMzI6lT3kdk8/s320/owl-Eyed-Moth3-5407.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Eyed Moth</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our forest trail was on foot in search
of these rare species, the trail began at 9:30pm and was expected to end
at 2am. With dense mist around the visibility was down to less than 5
feet. I
knew one wrong step during the forest trail could lead to fatal bite by
one of these snakes of Western Ghats, so I was prepared with protective
foot wear, in addition a powerful torch,
rain gear for my camera equipment’s and most importantly a high
intensity external Flash light for my Camera. The area is highly
populated with Leeches so I had to be mentally prepared to lose a
minimum 100ml of blood too. However I had applied Eucalyptus
oil on my feet, it is believed that it works as a repellant to insects
and leeches too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o4Pp3pJXDJAV1mmiTJlt9AQxw-TYDz-OBm-MnJuSrfWQBSBrR-xK1SMEgErq83_J2gq3xXKJM6Os0eGyOLPNN_0qTo0xeE9n2upiFHL3iQq5mlmg6rU7iJufu_EE2Z2nMh9CWJ5B7cM/s1600/Green-Vine-Snake2-2504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o4Pp3pJXDJAV1mmiTJlt9AQxw-TYDz-OBm-MnJuSrfWQBSBrR-xK1SMEgErq83_J2gq3xXKJM6Os0eGyOLPNN_0qTo0xeE9n2upiFHL3iQq5mlmg6rU7iJufu_EE2Z2nMh9CWJ5B7cM/s320/Green-Vine-Snake2-2504.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Vine Snake</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our
first encounter was a rare moth known as Owl Eyed Moth; I was amazed to
see this one for the first time and managed to make some images. It is
only now I realized how difficult and little I knew about photographing at night, of course one challenge was there was no natural sources of
light. As we trekked further a Green Vine Snake was spotted, luckily a
mildly poisonous snake, this guy was coiled & resting on a branch,
waiting for a prey. This is typical strategy of the
snakes that camouflage themselves and strike on tree frogs or reptiles
once they are within the striking range of say 1-2 feet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77p0sD6IQ4bUhyphenhyphenfgCk87WivLdF_Nt9Z5NNdYer9MhT1Jq6YBiEPPezQ10cEoYwfCDuSEsPLqe1-fcFx17WNxfvyznQW5K_2ppHkzAidP62H59JYr8tGQRQdG-PK_xD15m7WLwB3n_YLA/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper2-2802.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77p0sD6IQ4bUhyphenhyphenfgCk87WivLdF_Nt9Z5NNdYer9MhT1Jq6YBiEPPezQ10cEoYwfCDuSEsPLqe1-fcFx17WNxfvyznQW5K_2ppHkzAidP62H59JYr8tGQRQdG-PK_xD15m7WLwB3n_YLA/s320/Malabar-Pit-Viper2-2802.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a mood to strike - Malabar Pit Viper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
walked further deep into the forest, the mist was even denser, I was
really nervous, my friend Prashant had almost decided to back off from
this trail, he was not feeling too well. However I managed to convince
him “We do it Now or Never”. We proceeded further, as we walked through
the bushes water droplets fell on us and every time we felt as if some
insect or a lizard jumped on us.</span> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_14lUg9IoJjaDbDiWbs8pbjOK133ueQfBGIqXicrWFB9jgY0qg5jYQANtpyA4Z8zfbg8zOH-QuiKmPFRhdShM9qycp03FYBhMeDvRq5BA_ZyJxMQPPMHgnlmZPlfg8qXj3lfAGGtCMRU/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper1-2805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_14lUg9IoJjaDbDiWbs8pbjOK133ueQfBGIqXicrWFB9jgY0qg5jYQANtpyA4Z8zfbg8zOH-QuiKmPFRhdShM9qycp03FYBhMeDvRq5BA_ZyJxMQPPMHgnlmZPlfg8qXj3lfAGGtCMRU/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper1-2805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_14lUg9IoJjaDbDiWbs8pbjOK133ueQfBGIqXicrWFB9jgY0qg5jYQANtpyA4Z8zfbg8zOH-QuiKmPFRhdShM9qycp03FYBhMeDvRq5BA_ZyJxMQPPMHgnlmZPlfg8qXj3lfAGGtCMRU/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper1-2805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ahd6RMC6XJivsFVcO23-5livW4cFw0MbIHQu1_axISTLcBsxFMgrBfTjIq9h2Vc4p6aqYxVXk8NCPV_qT6ASw21WqnPMWLV6dgnveXQev2CIEIiZOJMF85u0b-qNmA6J_3pbcxBpLqg/s1600/Hitler-Bug2-5364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ahd6RMC6XJivsFVcO23-5livW4cFw0MbIHQu1_axISTLcBsxFMgrBfTjIq9h2Vc4p6aqYxVXk8NCPV_qT6ASw21WqnPMWLV6dgnveXQev2CIEIiZOJMF85u0b-qNmA6J_3pbcxBpLqg/s320/Hitler-Bug2-5364.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitler Bug</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
continued our trail and suddenly Hemant whispered Stop!, he said he
spotted a Malabar Pit Viper, my heart started beating fast, and I could
barely see Hemant in the thick mist. I asked
him where he spotted; he beamed his torch onto a small branch, I beamed
my torch too on the same branch. Wow! What an amazing snake this is, he
was nicely coiled to the branch. Without wasting any time I started
taking some shots with my MACRO lens, in the
excitement I moved in too close and this guy was getting edgy so
started hissing with his tongue out. I was lucky to shoot this image as
well, I didn’t back off and I could see him taking a position as if he
will strike any moment. The normal striking distance
for these snakes is 1-1.5 feet and I was about 4-5 feet. And also
Vipers are quite intelligent and don’t unnecessarily strike on humans
and lose their precious venom; instead save it for their prey like frogs
or Gecko’s that can be part of their large diet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
was another drama to this, due to excitement I moved in so close that I
had to almost get in to the bushes and believe me my friend screamed
that there is another snake right on
top of my head. I stayed unmoved, in the meantime Hemant our Naturalist
whispered that it is a Cat Snake and non-venomous, he requested us not
to panic. I have some image of the Cat Snake but not that great as I
couldn’t get him in the right focus.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61BoEbTo7IAvOibKlvPAghd4WJNWkgf-_th78VH29JJbYUkWb_jv_QMbqz8dTBIoBBAaZo-VuOPonWL68eF_8fDIWyWe7b_e6ZIblrp7INNf5HuGkaDR5Jx2_946o9LhN9EpiXiNb-5Q/s1600/Wrinkled-Frog1-5402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagyHIcTV2afwTgBj88EkoTcK422yoqr2a2j4qnz-zR-3HufKkQ4wetu8y_0Ws3vwop-KuEX1nDlun22Bv-wOXzruvGz2r5R_gsyyDE1cXc_st2Z_R9Mi8xSevTr4ivxDU685lVCJcKOA/s1600/Bull-Frog1-2483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagyHIcTV2afwTgBj88EkoTcK422yoqr2a2j4qnz-zR-3HufKkQ4wetu8y_0Ws3vwop-KuEX1nDlun22Bv-wOXzruvGz2r5R_gsyyDE1cXc_st2Z_R9Mi8xSevTr4ivxDU685lVCJcKOA/s320/Bull-Frog1-2483.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bull Frog</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
had rained quite heavily and was still drizzling but believe me we were
sweating, I pulled out a water bottle from my bag pack, what a relief
to sip up water in such situations. After
a while we encountered a Bull Frog, he was quietly sitting in the water
that was collected due to rains. I believe the Bull frog has the same
status and given equal importance as that of a Tiger as regards to its
conservation. It is listed in the highly </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">endangered
species.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VFIsY0e3kpZclYmJXB6YxdbGM1__XcvOF-l3k5kN1MRqbxxRW5s58-ULGs3sO-zk-m6woO1EpfT1grX6tgvRfLby1K-EsBpIrDe4ib4p5eIlybInLq6XxExllM4EcDXjEnk5cLDtHQ/s1600/Wrinkled-Frog-Eggs1-5400.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61BoEbTo7IAvOibKlvPAghd4WJNWkgf-_th78VH29JJbYUkWb_jv_QMbqz8dTBIoBBAaZo-VuOPonWL68eF_8fDIWyWe7b_e6ZIblrp7INNf5HuGkaDR5Jx2_946o9LhN9EpiXiNb-5Q/s1600/Wrinkled-Frog1-5402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61BoEbTo7IAvOibKlvPAghd4WJNWkgf-_th78VH29JJbYUkWb_jv_QMbqz8dTBIoBBAaZo-VuOPonWL68eF_8fDIWyWe7b_e6ZIblrp7INNf5HuGkaDR5Jx2_946o9LhN9EpiXiNb-5Q/s320/Wrinkled-Frog1-5402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrinkled Frog</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now
Hemant wanted us to walk a few yards in a water stream, honestly in
such pitch darkness walking in the stream was really dangerous. But he
was very keen to show us another rare species
of Frog known as the Wrinkled Frog. He said monsoon is high breeding
season so chances of this frog near the water streams are extremely
high.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VFIsY0e3kpZclYmJXB6YxdbGM1__XcvOF-l3k5kN1MRqbxxRW5s58-ULGs3sO-zk-m6woO1EpfT1grX6tgvRfLby1K-EsBpIrDe4ib4p5eIlybInLq6XxExllM4EcDXjEnk5cLDtHQ/s1600/Wrinkled-Frog-Eggs1-5400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6VFIsY0e3kpZclYmJXB6YxdbGM1__XcvOF-l3k5kN1MRqbxxRW5s58-ULGs3sO-zk-m6woO1EpfT1grX6tgvRfLby1K-EsBpIrDe4ib4p5eIlybInLq6XxExllM4EcDXjEnk5cLDtHQ/s320/Wrinkled-Frog-Eggs1-5400.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Eggs laid by Wrinkled Frog</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My
friend Prashant refused to walk further; his feet were hurting, he was
seriously having a shoe bite. However I pushed him hard and he agreed to
move on. On our way we a saw a Crab Mating
Couple, I was fortunate to get some good images. And as expected by
Hemant, we spotted the Winkled frog, initially she was on the leaf and
had laid fresh eggs and we could also see the tadpoles that would hatch
anytime.
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">When tadpoles have finished
developing inside the eggs, they wriggle out of the egg-jelly and fall
in the water below, where they develop further.</span></b> I salute Mother Nature who has created such a wonderful
Ecosystem.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
walked back from the water stream and continued our amazing forest
trail in the wilderness, I was happy to learn about the Amphibians and
was eager to come here again so I asked Hemant
what is the best time to visit, he replied that end of June or 1<sup>st</sup>
week July is ideal season for studying and spotting these rare species. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEW1vbwXc5nmCKU5t4kLKY-17OCozAmeigKcrkgh-9Ab-Dr-6anyMGXxgIJFMN-ZImeCo_3PVEHfQqeQtoyPsrYfzRWHBQA4QMBZAL3y4wicqbSJl15-TlhllIvDYNXB0M-PIDQsCcRc/s1600/Bamboo-Pit-Viper1-2785.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEW1vbwXc5nmCKU5t4kLKY-17OCozAmeigKcrkgh-9Ab-Dr-6anyMGXxgIJFMN-ZImeCo_3PVEHfQqeQtoyPsrYfzRWHBQA4QMBZAL3y4wicqbSJl15-TlhllIvDYNXB0M-PIDQsCcRc/s320/Bamboo-Pit-Viper1-2785.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for his prey - Bamboo Pit Viper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqD-yEnbdUfZqIANzRJeFmT93uN_QqdykA_C0fxZsbd_zelcMryqXSEqBaafRCiTd_grPxbI3oNzrAf0nlWSbjQdjI3w-qnqlL5gHFIfwRi-QewFeOv4Zk4MRnr0vmpP945nK1sy1dzE/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper3-5427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqD-yEnbdUfZqIANzRJeFmT93uN_QqdykA_C0fxZsbd_zelcMryqXSEqBaafRCiTd_grPxbI3oNzrAf0nlWSbjQdjI3w-qnqlL5gHFIfwRi-QewFeOv4Zk4MRnr0vmpP945nK1sy1dzE/s320/Malabar-Pit-Viper3-5427.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triangle Head - Malabar Pit Viper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We walked further and spotted another rare species of a snake known as
the Bamboo Pit Viper.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> I was so happy
to see such beautiful species that too in pitch darkness, of course
photographing them was a real challenge. I managed few decent shots of
Bamboo Pit Viper and our luck continued as we spotted plenty of Green
Vine Snakes, Cat Snakes and finally we again got
a Malabar Pit Viper in the open. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX3BCpXNJpMErFVz5GHTBt7wtT_hTQRQI45zaBu52EvikS2nB4qpJZHqLtRxgXU7pyrWAAplT76gST_hn_MbvTSRhTMJ_rTPQ8eTn_12akbqI6pjSQgNOogTpWnDfLSDneAJEpH0Uo40/s1600/Deccan-Banded-Gecko2-5433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX3BCpXNJpMErFVz5GHTBt7wtT_hTQRQI45zaBu52EvikS2nB4qpJZHqLtRxgXU7pyrWAAplT76gST_hn_MbvTSRhTMJ_rTPQ8eTn_12akbqI6pjSQgNOogTpWnDfLSDneAJEpH0Uo40/s320/Deccan-Banded-Gecko2-5433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deccan Banded Gecko</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
time this guy was resting on a small branch that had fallen due to
heavy rains and as usual waiting for his prey, I managed few close head
shots, as close as 1ft. Further there was
another highlight of this trail; a Deccan Banded Gecko was spotted on
the road. Again this is the first time ever I saw this species, I fell
flat on the road to get some low angle shots, and this guy was very
cooperative and gave me plenty of opportunities
to shoot at a very close range.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lGNOowaKlevL9yK7LXPYfrnm-r8bFSvr34ldALtMO8TRh2TscQByYLJhzCfde7O72ovLdrFXT0wb45uVRIrASfCDewxbPzGAzlKsze6WBfODnPaau0lfvFkyJw9jlxUQ3fg5aynzgM0/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper4-5425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kND2SLhOMh-87VVn448WlhkpfKEXNzy_N5kVvEpZhqYmsN1D9ZYYWKbkRxiK3AabP8cjuCSW7RQpI5MOuZIaAhE3QSoX4gekqN7toYAxPvMPs9ERArnHHeGzcY1dUMN6-vaxI3WMHyY/s1600/Deccan-Banded-Gecko3-5446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kND2SLhOMh-87VVn448WlhkpfKEXNzy_N5kVvEpZhqYmsN1D9ZYYWKbkRxiK3AabP8cjuCSW7RQpI5MOuZIaAhE3QSoX4gekqN7toYAxPvMPs9ERArnHHeGzcY1dUMN6-vaxI3WMHyY/s320/Deccan-Banded-Gecko3-5446.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curious Gecko</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lGNOowaKlevL9yK7LXPYfrnm-r8bFSvr34ldALtMO8TRh2TscQByYLJhzCfde7O72ovLdrFXT0wb45uVRIrASfCDewxbPzGAzlKsze6WBfODnPaau0lfvFkyJw9jlxUQ3fg5aynzgM0/s1600/Malabar-Pit-Viper4-5425.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lGNOowaKlevL9yK7LXPYfrnm-r8bFSvr34ldALtMO8TRh2TscQByYLJhzCfde7O72ovLdrFXT0wb45uVRIrASfCDewxbPzGAzlKsze6WBfODnPaau0lfvFkyJw9jlxUQ3fg5aynzgM0/s320/Malabar-Pit-Viper4-5425.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malabar Pit Viper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
time was almost 1:30am and we decided to head back to whistling woods, I
thanked Hemant Ogale for being such an excellent guide but told him
that we missed one more rare species to
spot that is endemic to rainforest and this region; it’s the Malabar
Gliding or Flying Frog. Hemant smiled at me and replied that it is
difficult to spot it in the forest, however he said there is chance that
we may see it within his property.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe23N3a3zMjHt48Sotm3PchCv_3aZVs3iod5kfV2yNgF6PGm94mZ-y0Bi3a-fWTK3cS1wNnCfttEEpOmJqn12agLKP2qHsPTE6QSNFA7pj7SfOLMCjYAQXnRgpj1Kj2v9e-I8UtYrJH4/s1600/Malabar-Gliding-Frog2-2556.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe23N3a3zMjHt48Sotm3PchCv_3aZVs3iod5kfV2yNgF6PGm94mZ-y0Bi3a-fWTK3cS1wNnCfttEEpOmJqn12agLKP2qHsPTE6QSNFA7pj7SfOLMCjYAQXnRgpj1Kj2v9e-I8UtYrJH4/s320/Malabar-Gliding-Frog2-2556.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malabar Gliding or Flying Frog</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
was game for it, as it was our last and final chance to try our luck;
we beamed our torches on the tree branches and bushes, no sight of this
beauty. Finally Hemant took us to his backyard
where he had natural water well, there was a diagonal branch leading
from a tree lying low above the well and believe me friends the Malabar
Gliding Frog was nicely perched on it. A vibrant green frog with red
color between its toes, what a beauty she is,
fortunately there was another one perched high up on the branches. The
term “flying frog” refers to its ability to break their fall by
stretching the webbing between their toes when making leaps down from
the treetops. It can make gliding jumps of 9-12 meters,
a maximum of about 115 times its length.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSZE5BUCDGdQ_zO5iZHWwXows_Cr1jGVWRVLWDJE3jXYCcByl4TWcBe3KzY7QamJpIw0vbN92rPcq4NbOFupTNwU84CFY-ZqZZhew1xu3R4lyqWI_OjK1HspLeXjZWRuo_edEES-1J6E/s1600/Fortuner2-2676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3gUrRkeq-PU2tlcd21LUZLZ7j_29gXEM77GWSRVK0MokaTws2Bs3R5ZfX3mu3pThpTPsadjfHGrZvVWIZWa7u0alyCLj1rqIAJCoesWh0uvfGXWnUArUUruJ-nwgavpedIsS2SEo7f0/s1600/Fortuner1-2690.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3gUrRkeq-PU2tlcd21LUZLZ7j_29gXEM77GWSRVK0MokaTws2Bs3R5ZfX3mu3pThpTPsadjfHGrZvVWIZWa7u0alyCLj1rqIAJCoesWh0uvfGXWnUArUUruJ-nwgavpedIsS2SEo7f0/s320/Fortuner1-2690.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
was the first time ever I tried a forest trail at night that too on
foot, it was just out of the world and an amazing experience of my life.
I plan to do such trips again in future, if you are
interested you may wish to join me, and also please do leave your comments, feedback and suggestions on the blog.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Disclaimer
– If you wish to do such trails request that you take precautionary
measures as advised by a qualified guide/naturalist, it is just not
about venomous snakes but we have records
of some frogs being highly poisonous too. Please do not venture into
the forest on your own.</b><i></i></span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-14450302824779571622011-08-07T19:31:00.001+05:302016-09-16T15:52:53.127+05:30The Prince of Bandipur!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpnvxNt4Y1AJhnq-cmO2uQvSCxpOfkwWGLdyPJISsAj7z4VbOxPnWscObE8Xakp0SSZSUFYmYAejDpGFSv7msp8I6v_YceS7G3qnpkEzOlfWX936aS6r2BC_CGrSdQ7NSgOu8XupAU-w/s1600/Tiger1-9977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpnvxNt4Y1AJhnq-cmO2uQvSCxpOfkwWGLdyPJISsAj7z4VbOxPnWscObE8Xakp0SSZSUFYmYAejDpGFSv7msp8I6v_YceS7G3qnpkEzOlfWX936aS6r2BC_CGrSdQ7NSgOu8XupAU-w/s320/Tiger1-9977.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">It has been almost 3 months that I had seen a Tiger at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. My last few visits to Bandipur from April’11 until June’11 have been dominated by Leopard sightings. For some reasons the tiger sightings at Bandipur during the recent summers wasn’t that great.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yJmt9eiFRHVCmvtoIcrK04YZhcbrLS0wNi0VuFDMHtAuoHduxMxofZU4RK1qzJwz1KT9lR-1tagKvLnobu2wNt3jZR-9WlKqqUO5lh5tzYr_Xv18w9bOXQ7MxL9BM9mbywyK3HR-m-8/s1600/Tiger5-0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBEO-g8Tm2qvfXJTPADSNDpONJChoiPsPFOBpBpg1zWAwfUJiMjRVZ2iMmspIE1wNgHMteszTfCE2e2h0s5ScgXo4KSWH2KguUzK_wiTqmgpQjK3WoYj8i4YmV5h8ShbGEXqL5YQZWRc/s1600/Tiger3-2442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBEO-g8Tm2qvfXJTPADSNDpONJChoiPsPFOBpBpg1zWAwfUJiMjRVZ2iMmspIE1wNgHMteszTfCE2e2h0s5ScgXo4KSWH2KguUzK_wiTqmgpQjK3WoYj8i4YmV5h8ShbGEXqL5YQZWRc/s320/Tiger3-2442.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">On 30<sup>th</sup> July’11 (Saturday) I decided to visit Bandipur, however I was alerted by my close associates & naturalist that the sightings have been really dull most of July. It was quite understandable and I was aware that the Bandipur National Park, especially the forest area had received heavy rains for past few weeks. However I had made up my mind to visit and try my luck.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">This time I had Pradeep who was driving the jeep; Pradeep is a young chap but has been in JLR for ages and knows the forest on his finger tips. We started our morning safari at 6:15am, after completing the formalities at Bandipur reception; we headed straight towards mulapura water hole. We were half the way when Pradeep noticed tiger pug marks and surprisingly there were also tiny pug marks, so it was quite evident that a tigress and her cubs had walked freely on the game track. I also admire the skills of spotting the pug marks by these drivers, who see it while in motion and stop to confirm. Most of them at JLR have done it time and again. Now to some extent even I have managed to pick up these skills. The pug marks were quite fresh and were leading in the opposite direction and not towards mulapura water hole. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">So we decided to turn back and follow the pug marks, as we reached the bettada katte junction the pug marks disappeared. This junction has 5 routes, on the right leads to surle katte, on the left bettada katte and the 2 straight routes finally reach the Bandipur-Ooty highway & of course one goes via arali katte. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span closure_uid_3u6pif="104" style="font-size: 11pt;">We decided to take the bettada katte route after driving up the hill for about 100 mts or more, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we noticed few more pug marks of another tigress with cubs however even these pug marks were in opposite direction leading to bettada katte junction, so we turned back again and drove to the junction. We weren’t sure which route to choose to track these tigers; it seemed as if all these cats had a meeting at this junction. Note sure where they disappeared from this point.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlaTkP_6reYHFNV3r-VsIChD6aIqx4MrYOQ_ZUXaB5eN24Cx7V7d3CMRHMnDws59P-ssdd3qvxgVCYCs5g4g-ILKGvKDXY1A9TnZcCnvCZkhcZVV8kL2ZaGEW3lqSP37cOduJcRPvGIQ/s1600/Bonnet-Macau1-2367.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlaTkP_6reYHFNV3r-VsIChD6aIqx4MrYOQ_ZUXaB5eN24Cx7V7d3CMRHMnDws59P-ssdd3qvxgVCYCs5g4g-ILKGvKDXY1A9TnZcCnvCZkhcZVV8kL2ZaGEW3lqSP37cOduJcRPvGIQ/s320/Bonnet-Macau1-2367.jpg" width="213px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">However we finally agreed to take the arali katte route, as this area is the territory of a tigress that has lost one eye, reasons unknown. As we were approaching arali katte we heard a Bonnet Macau (Red faced monkeys) alarm calls. We were excited as we had already seen the pug marks and now with alarm calls I was almost sure that we were close to a Tigress. We patiently waited for a while; few other jeeps also joined us. Mean while I met Sanjay - Naturalist at Country Club, Bandipur; he too waited along with us. After a while few jeeps moved away, however our jeep & Sanjay’s jeep waited patiently. In the meantime we noticed that the monkeys were seen on a large bamboo tree and also the alarm calls had stopped. We weren’t sure what to do next; sometimes the alarm calls can also be a false one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMDYcxy7eplja4iyPQXmhgcPQGVFW9CuGGAFlKPmy1bL4JTMPWGAT8SnNAUQbBfuEVCSZqEhUJJs4BAO-O5_zFNwjJ4Ji_TEzR03nUpdqMMkOuTgTVsNkFP6tGmp5qp1GC0UQAlrOlas/s1600/Tiger2-2374.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMDYcxy7eplja4iyPQXmhgcPQGVFW9CuGGAFlKPmy1bL4JTMPWGAT8SnNAUQbBfuEVCSZqEhUJJs4BAO-O5_zFNwjJ4Ji_TEzR03nUpdqMMkOuTgTVsNkFP6tGmp5qp1GC0UQAlrOlas/s320/Tiger2-2374.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We decided we will drive towards yere katte another water body; Sanjay’s jeep was ahead of us. As we approached the yere katte, I couldn’t believe my eyes, I spotted a huge male Tiger in the open; however his face was hid behind parthenium shrub. The tiger was on our right and I was seated as usual in the front seat next to Pradeep. My position wasn’t that great to shoot, I immediately rested my camera and lens on the roof top, by now the tiger started walking in our direction. I had an excellent angle to shoot so I fired few shots.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuByA2C7k4HqE6dHwI-iwWH_6Vtl-GaLPoQFfCSZh1eOYjwfKKI5laIroDN08oyE4TTfWDwvqPWor_fSr9X_9V8wS6mMMdEqaOxj6twCsNrI6wzCy9qZ9nd92ez4PX_9HLESUeSkbjacc/s1600/Tiger6-2402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuByA2C7k4HqE6dHwI-iwWH_6Vtl-GaLPoQFfCSZh1eOYjwfKKI5laIroDN08oyE4TTfWDwvqPWor_fSr9X_9V8wS6mMMdEqaOxj6twCsNrI6wzCy9qZ9nd92ez4PX_9HLESUeSkbjacc/s320/Tiger6-2402.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Within minutes I realized that accidentally my shutter speed is 1/8000 sec, this was a serious error. My program setting knob had got changed to Tv mode (Shutter Speed mode), I had set my camera to Av mode that is aperture. About 15-20 images that I shot of the Tiger walking in our direction with superb eye contact all got heavily under-exposed. I was really put off; the only good thing was I realized the error quite fast. Later I had to shuffle between my other camera that is Canon 40D with 100-400mm lens and the 7D with 500mm, since the tiger was getting really close to our jeep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7pAD497JYnEHNwmVRJbVSCuMj5aNkkwAeTsBRtMCxtNJZhVwcZ5lb-8e6CoUN5p5uxXjwphFrEp6Twaq_1XBbI2VzSFWx4pW_VU0uG4gQOFkUOOzFPXLFxqLXivfFOj3Hh0Ky5oJsTg/s1600/Tiger4-2574.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7pAD497JYnEHNwmVRJbVSCuMj5aNkkwAeTsBRtMCxtNJZhVwcZ5lb-8e6CoUN5p5uxXjwphFrEp6Twaq_1XBbI2VzSFWx4pW_VU0uG4gQOFkUOOzFPXLFxqLXivfFOj3Hh0Ky5oJsTg/s320/Tiger4-2574.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Now the tiger got so close hardly few feet away from our jeep & I somehow managed to click using both equipments. One image that I was eager to click was when this tiger was crossing the game track right in front of us. With on and off rains, the slushy water clogged track, greens surrounding, freshness of the forest, what a sight this was. Simply Beautiful! The majestic walk by this huge male tiger, not caring about human presence & the jeep in front, he seemed totally fearless. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwznVIBwTYkaJk0uF18A0aPqBF5ZMNUfUYLUqb8PjAsLbyMT1Tl7betAcPGr3b5TinaRRbvedtqY3G2COHaK1BsdQaLW2z6l71awKvH2g3WdZQsT19l3J8UbyMmYTJLnHH-FaOnxzCBYs/s1600/Tiger8-9967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwznVIBwTYkaJk0uF18A0aPqBF5ZMNUfUYLUqb8PjAsLbyMT1Tl7betAcPGr3b5TinaRRbvedtqY3G2COHaK1BsdQaLW2z6l71awKvH2g3WdZQsT19l3J8UbyMmYTJLnHH-FaOnxzCBYs/s320/Tiger8-9967.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">He then went and sniffed a dry tree trunk to check his scent marking; the forest was at its best with lush greens all over and to add a tiger in the open, you can’t ask for more. What a perfect setting for any wildlife photographer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUro6q9wNGWM3NU49xUGImmaowATMkdJGuKl0uJ8isFhNGwb0VGHQoUYsoRidAKuGItx6q7pC-q-IJ7iWIxOGfhIY9VkZQjSOYy0FoHyq2vwVaUHaOyUsaKzRt1BELOuuMc_PGCed2rKE/s1600/Tiger7-9989.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUro6q9wNGWM3NU49xUGImmaowATMkdJGuKl0uJ8isFhNGwb0VGHQoUYsoRidAKuGItx6q7pC-q-IJ7iWIxOGfhIY9VkZQjSOYy0FoHyq2vwVaUHaOyUsaKzRt1BELOuuMc_PGCed2rKE/s320/Tiger7-9989.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> By now I recognized this tiger; he is Agastya’s son (one of the oldest male tigers of Bandipur ~ aged 15 years old). This guy could be aged about 5 years; I have seen him before as well at bettada katte. I consider him to be the most bold, handsome tigers and surely he is “The Prince of Bandipur” who will rule this forest.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMselCRLfRlKuwKqAw3k5gpotO4Ln4-lCZgpo2mYVI96ZA1oWQ5VnwX6uJETJ6pd3XIBxhpEViWyIhMkCVXYri4kFf0Bfx2QN8RK9UOYsmRyJyNV7AkccOTwBGM6LnY6mKK5hRHTh3L4/s1600/Tiger9-2562.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMselCRLfRlKuwKqAw3k5gpotO4Ln4-lCZgpo2mYVI96ZA1oWQ5VnwX6uJETJ6pd3XIBxhpEViWyIhMkCVXYri4kFf0Bfx2QN8RK9UOYsmRyJyNV7AkccOTwBGM6LnY6mKK5hRHTh3L4/s320/Tiger9-2562.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Later he crossed the game track & then disappeared in the bushes, after having seen him for over 20 minutes. We all wanted more; no wonder tigers are the most beautiful creations by God on Earth. Again this sighting was dream come true as I had the tiger at unbelievable close distance. I also believe that monsoons are the best seasons from photography point of view, and yet again it proved right this time.</span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-89077094125382786282011-07-05T22:56:00.023+05:302012-12-12T09:00:39.437+05:30Leopard with a Hare Kill!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5K6F0MmcD36fIjrCQiJ2jvOjaXm4TlI445AgdoZyZpxNklY3ceA1zKWaoGptZYvGSIbWm0S2Dkuqczg48zqv-XmfMPLUtaVzn1D0Y7JnUeq_YmM7nurfb-sLjusbeLaZJt2X51g_JRA/s1600/Hare1-2072.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633710297523758882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5K6F0MmcD36fIjrCQiJ2jvOjaXm4TlI445AgdoZyZpxNklY3ceA1zKWaoGptZYvGSIbWm0S2Dkuqczg48zqv-XmfMPLUtaVzn1D0Y7JnUeq_YmM7nurfb-sLjusbeLaZJt2X51g_JRA/s320/Hare1-2072.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->Until last month (June), the leopard sighting at Bandipur was on a high. Even my last few visits since April until end of June were excellent with leopard sightings. I and few friends were on our evening game drive at Bandipur; we had Basavanna one of the Senior Naturalist who was driving the commander jeep for us. We took the entry from reception and drove towards moor kere, this location has three water holes, hence the name referred to Moor Kere in Kannada.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OXjfSxqFte1gu2tZJjwuJjZ_Z8wpOzKaK778KK6IC_QzR_9kbbcVHFaf2c4N4sadhUtpPdPM_3aCVYZ4o2KZhW28h8alZcxxERdb0pT57ObzEfsRgCWXS_qg8F0F3-dYysT8KHgYqUg/s1600/Gaur-Calf-Portrait-1152.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625924777711414434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OXjfSxqFte1gu2tZJjwuJjZ_Z8wpOzKaK778KK6IC_QzR_9kbbcVHFaf2c4N4sadhUtpPdPM_3aCVYZ4o2KZhW28h8alZcxxERdb0pT57ObzEfsRgCWXS_qg8F0F3-dYysT8KHgYqUg/s320/Gaur-Calf-Portrait-1152.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>The tigress (Gowri) and her 4 cubs have been spotted here on several occasions. I strongly believe that the cubs were born in this area, hence the family is often spotted here. We patiently waited for a while but no sign of the tigress nor her cubs, despite pug marks all over the place. It is quite obvious that the mother is very protective of her cubs, especially when her offspring's are very young. So chances of seeing them in open is never gonna be easy. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tyWZ5WS93cXylfnt0lotLdoC9LskYmBVXBTZgAjYNi3tYkIRJpKBCs-8ks-9pzvac-c0DqRM9nJHu5GJN-f-55wFUN1wR01lQ-kBESAtKAikejmP0qnjNIkNM1-YQnEuHVPpW8ifuqs/s1600/Peacock-profile-0907.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625925027401083842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tyWZ5WS93cXylfnt0lotLdoC9LskYmBVXBTZgAjYNi3tYkIRJpKBCs-8ks-9pzvac-c0DqRM9nJHu5GJN-f-55wFUN1wR01lQ-kBESAtKAikejmP0qnjNIkNM1-YQnEuHVPpW8ifuqs/s320/Peacock-profile-0907.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 214px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
After a wait for 15-20 mins, we drove further and spotted a Peacock, I managed to make a beautiful portrait of this beauty. As we drove towards Yere katte, a reasonably large water hole, we spotted a large herd of Gaurs<br />
(Indian Bisons). During this time it started to drizzle a bit followed by heavy showers, I was keen in photographing the calf. However he was very shy, finally I managed to make a portrait of the calf. The time now was about 5pm, it had been over an hour in the forest and no cat sighting nor any warning calls. In such situation it always good to keep tking rounds near the water holes so we decided to drive towards daiyada katte. As we reached this spot few jeeps were waiting and we were told that they had just spotted a leopard who walked freely on the game track, scented marked his territory and then sneaked into the bushes. The excitement began, upon taking a closer look at the bushes we could spot the leopard, not so clear but he was partly visible. I wasn't sure what he was doing inside the bush, normally at dusk the cats like to free walk in the open or hunt. By now we all could see the leopard in the bush but couldn’t photograph. The leopard sensed our presence probably and moved further inside the dense area. Basavanna mentioned that the leopard may come to daiyada katte water hole so we moved ahead and waited there patiently. A couple of jeeps also joined us and waited but the leopard never made his appearance. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOuFKLCV5uKwiJDhfj5cNDANdSxjuo8YDompWgYz8iVSFW-uK44amCEcUCjMBKUUNOZ5lq9ZbOnlJKf1Bc3D3FRDAwZ9T2gO9jJCas1Xilmp8pyHInrun9VLzDgoEeILx3wmyWTtUeag/s1600/Leopard-Hare-Vertical1-1043.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632455789988724834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOuFKLCV5uKwiJDhfj5cNDANdSxjuo8YDompWgYz8iVSFW-uK44amCEcUCjMBKUUNOZ5lq9ZbOnlJKf1Bc3D3FRDAwZ9T2gO9jJCas1Xilmp8pyHInrun9VLzDgoEeILx3wmyWTtUeag/s320/Leopard-Hare-Vertical1-1043.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 214px;" /></a> After about 10-15 mins the three jeeps that were waiting with us lost their patience and drove away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5diUH7doX5coXEpFsoT4S2xF1J3VjHM9io64DztfW7Vy1fyTNjkZJdJmcSTm2TJKb5A9fv2q818hAdRMKvJUN1SzbF3XhUne4-pRRwgU0UIuYsVNH_J219SAapHbESJxEXYibS1ieTFs/s1600/Leopard-hare1-1034.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625924439942423298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5diUH7doX5coXEpFsoT4S2xF1J3VjHM9io64DztfW7Vy1fyTNjkZJdJmcSTm2TJKb5A9fv2q818hAdRMKvJUN1SzbF3XhUne4-pRRwgU0UIuYsVNH_J219SAapHbESJxEXYibS1ieTFs/s320/Leopard-hare1-1034.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
However we decided to wait, I requested Basavanna to reverse the jeep and position it in such an angle that we should be able to see the game track as well as have view line to the water hole, just in case the leopard comes out towards either side. During this time we sensed some movement in the bushes on our left, to our surprise the leopard was stalking, not on a deer, it's hard to believe it was a Blacked Naped Hare (Wild Rabbit) and within seconds he pounced on the hare, this was a easy catch for the big cat. I was amazed, I had seen a leopard with a deer kill and heard about leopard making a hare meal but to see this live was a treat to my eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RFlqdCJuEsiDZ32CrMz-ux_ih57P0rbX9q0aZzilrl7aVzA92IgEf_OSOBH4JiHEnLZxlKjHV_TGfXRvVfDy0_V0v1XtTtOoewuWWN8y-cxlPbw_1P0AfndDALtoYW0l1-8IhiTMXUQ/s1600/Leopard-hare2-1029.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625924038202771538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RFlqdCJuEsiDZ32CrMz-ux_ih57P0rbX9q0aZzilrl7aVzA92IgEf_OSOBH4JiHEnLZxlKjHV_TGfXRvVfDy0_V0v1XtTtOoewuWWN8y-cxlPbw_1P0AfndDALtoYW0l1-8IhiTMXUQ/s320/Leopard-hare2-1029.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The drama continued, I was sincerely hoping that the leopard may come out of the bush and finally he did. I was ready with my camera, as the leopard walked out of the bushes, he realized that it was a open area and he also had sensed our presence. In fraction of a second he sprinted with the hare in his jaws. I was quick to fire few shots and managed to make some images well focused on the leopard and the hare. Fortunately my shutter speed was quite good to freeze the action.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
This was another rare, great natural history moment in the wild that I was blessed to witness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFXJOpHO-skKc0xXCUaJw6t4HKhJ0C29pf647lZkuR5qE71U_bkhtis0ge6pCkzS99UuvxPk5HMY1uPEb1H1RItsRQHwNT4biL8XAVJVhRlf4iZP59VG3n2Q5-ohccIR7pl1RNaymQF0/s1600/Leopard-hare4-1041.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625923153154957394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFXJOpHO-skKc0xXCUaJw6t4HKhJ0C29pf647lZkuR5qE71U_bkhtis0ge6pCkzS99UuvxPk5HMY1uPEb1H1RItsRQHwNT4biL8XAVJVhRlf4iZP59VG3n2Q5-ohccIR7pl1RNaymQF0/s320/Leopard-hare4-1041.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>Later the leopard was quick to sneak through the bushes, and this time he decided to disappear in the under growth to have his snack. These cats are so beautiful that I wasn't satisfied despite having seen it on so many occasions. One thing that that could have made my images a stunner was a head turn by the leopard towards me, but these things happen and are not in our control. I was told that there were no records and video clips of leopard
with hare kill, though leopard often makes this kill. I was fortunate
and lucky to get some decent images.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The time was running out so we drove towards the exit gate. As we were about to approach the exit gate towards the reception area I spotted a Sloth Bear on our left, but Basavanna drove ahead as he didn’t notice it. We quickly reversed the jeep, the bear was still there but later was quick to disappear in the bushes, and I managed some records shots, not worth sharing though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Finally the evening game drive came to a happy ending and as usual my excitement and these amazing moments kept me awake most of the night. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLbzsmaa83iIjd13DtlixxaC8XcZkR6cKLmosQFSOhEP02Fpeq22qNlH6BMqnIgsRkLzqijR6lEcxizatqk0cGAbnshgGEIViYNzYyiQyjdN5nRTWwl2OnogOhE6NroCKAOH2_GVXglM/s1600/Leopard-hare5-1051.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632415048962757218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLbzsmaa83iIjd13DtlixxaC8XcZkR6cKLmosQFSOhEP02Fpeq22qNlH6BMqnIgsRkLzqijR6lEcxizatqk0cGAbnshgGEIViYNzYyiQyjdN5nRTWwl2OnogOhE6NroCKAOH2_GVXglM/s320/Leopard-hare5-1051.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tyWZ5WS93cXylfnt0lotLdoC9LskYmBVXBTZgAjYNi3tYkIRJpKBCs-8ks-9pzvac-c0DqRM9nJHu5GJN-f-55wFUN1wR01lQ-kBESAtKAikejmP0qnjNIkNM1-YQnEuHVPpW8ifuqs/s1600/Peacock-profile-0907.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RFlqdCJuEsiDZ32CrMz-ux_ih57P0rbX9q0aZzilrl7aVzA92IgEf_OSOBH4JiHEnLZxlKjHV_TGfXRvVfDy0_V0v1XtTtOoewuWWN8y-cxlPbw_1P0AfndDALtoYW0l1-8IhiTMXUQ/s1600/Leopard-hare2-1029.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5diUH7doX5coXEpFsoT4S2xF1J3VjHM9io64DztfW7Vy1fyTNjkZJdJmcSTm2TJKb5A9fv2q818hAdRMKvJUN1SzbF3XhUne4-pRRwgU0UIuYsVNH_J219SAapHbESJxEXYibS1ieTFs/s1600/Leopard-hare1-1034.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-34447851232288155662011-07-03T21:25:00.010+05:302011-07-03T22:17:40.521+05:30Snake Rituals!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgE2i7Mpox377cj46_MmAY3kTfugTTKRIizcCUah8n4GKKB6h_hKdHnogf4xDO10tu4lsKQkFG8-7xIQC410HnA2dspvWq73Vs2hdXGbhVPm-cSTA0hWKNyC4FEugLcggM5f3bahnFkA/s1600/Snake-Rituals2-7869.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgE2i7Mpox377cj46_MmAY3kTfugTTKRIizcCUah8n4GKKB6h_hKdHnogf4xDO10tu4lsKQkFG8-7xIQC410HnA2dspvWq73Vs2hdXGbhVPm-cSTA0hWKNyC4FEugLcggM5f3bahnFkA/s320/Snake-Rituals2-7869.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625164458187194226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Have you seen or heard about Snakes Rituals? Snakes rituals are often mistaken by most of us for snake mating. In this story I am sharing images clearly demonstrating Rat Snakes performing their rituals at the best. Please bear with the low quality of images as I had to shoot under tough conditions of light, especially shooting against light is one of the greatest challenges.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFTXPH6PCF2gIJiq-WINXrYc-j4yNVY8iJ4MF2vBmaPEDg25ttWGbeUQBvkJHQaPcYcF9vbBpFCybRWFvqH3SiqlRLnjWrfsFuViaMA1GJbKRggbZgT2fFpP66fM2RRKTsbperf19eEM/s1600/Snake-Rituals1-7868.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFTXPH6PCF2gIJiq-WINXrYc-j4yNVY8iJ4MF2vBmaPEDg25ttWGbeUQBvkJHQaPcYcF9vbBpFCybRWFvqH3SiqlRLnjWrfsFuViaMA1GJbKRggbZgT2fFpP66fM2RRKTsbperf19eEM/s320/Snake-Rituals1-7868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625163382496735554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> The people of Karnataka call the rat snakes as Kere Havu, while in Marathi it is Dhaman, Kerala it is Chera, and Cherai in Tamil.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMwhPA-RN781Cl97hjuyZ7gmtX-LumYCtOWRYqHK3296Ftjfbch1VviKO9gUxCywhUP11t9vH1Y2Ldaz4tepwMn3i37TMaEjalqlXt5GSuw_l8Ggvx5VW4jzkp2YqRMPLimzD3p9Y_3g/s1600/Snake-Rituals3-7890.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMwhPA-RN781Cl97hjuyZ7gmtX-LumYCtOWRYqHK3296Ftjfbch1VviKO9gUxCywhUP11t9vH1Y2Ldaz4tepwMn3i37TMaEjalqlXt5GSuw_l8Ggvx5VW4jzkp2YqRMPLimzD3p9Y_3g/s320/Snake-Rituals3-7890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625164969099687730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">I was put at Gorukana Resorot in BR Hills, We had just checked in our cottage when I received call from Jade Swamy, a Senior Naturalist. He mentioned to me that he spotted two snakes near the exit gate and mentioned that they were mating. I rushed to the spot with my camera.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Snakes are exciting to watch and equally dangerous if disturbed. Fortunately these were rat snakes that are non venomous, but their bite can be nasty. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The snakes were in the open; however my position to shoot wasn’t that great I had to shoot against direct sun light at about 5pm. I had to fall flat on the ground, use my bag pack as the support for my lens and shoot. This position is important from a photographer’s point of view to get the best low level angle.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4KpwZZKwnosv9mUoO-KBuxip5FBOl_1oYXVeaGKZsm8_dNB9Ztxdgem6gGZgD494w2Sk9oxaJM9RnmWPROuPzfTLUFeMlJl9LwcVjUSRNUuIqttDyWOLQ40UZ99bRVJdu-2JbhniuU/s1600/Snake-Rituals5-7909.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4KpwZZKwnosv9mUoO-KBuxip5FBOl_1oYXVeaGKZsm8_dNB9Ztxdgem6gGZgD494w2Sk9oxaJM9RnmWPROuPzfTLUFeMlJl9LwcVjUSRNUuIqttDyWOLQ40UZ99bRVJdu-2JbhniuU/s320/Snake-Rituals5-7909.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625165287947597426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">This snake ritual is nothing but a combat dance performed by males of the species. Though a friendly ritual with no over display of aggression, it is driven by instinct and used to define territory and defend mates. Its frequent and customary expression during the breeding season is proof of this encoded behavior.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6htYOn8T8hFQRuVEmUdUwmpMoyHXQ1FcCDd5TDDID-TIxi3sVvuP4Yk3gIlIBbQyM4O8iC_WXsuThyphenhyphen3DQ0KEfm65Ml9XCAaZzQdQHrXdYGLXtTnntENIcffXyiBsR9r0Mtr7l1gi_YkM/s1600/Snake-Rituals6-7914.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6htYOn8T8hFQRuVEmUdUwmpMoyHXQ1FcCDd5TDDID-TIxi3sVvuP4Yk3gIlIBbQyM4O8iC_WXsuThyphenhyphen3DQ0KEfm65Ml9XCAaZzQdQHrXdYGLXtTnntENIcffXyiBsR9r0Mtr7l1gi_YkM/s320/Snake-Rituals6-7914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625165822128370434" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">The ritual was fascinating to watch and this went on for good 30 mins, until few soliga forest tribals were passing by and the snakes got disturbed and moved into the bushes.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> Another challenge to shoot the combat dance is the speed; the snakes stand tall and swirl swiftly with excellent synchronization of their movements. So getting the right focus becomes difficult.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjf0BbRFGYqqhNmc9jIib7NtH_qFT5BKjE-QxF8Nb_AXGNNvDhXY4aBSv0d_inPYpcud1Ct8XBOXVUURleIuo-frHkGPh5oSehhlJDUfDWQK4ZHGkLnFk3MJbX19_QmE2Dl7blnACGhg/s1600/Snake-Rituals7-7971.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpjf0BbRFGYqqhNmc9jIib7NtH_qFT5BKjE-QxF8Nb_AXGNNvDhXY4aBSv0d_inPYpcud1Ct8XBOXVUURleIuo-frHkGPh5oSehhlJDUfDWQK4ZHGkLnFk3MJbX19_QmE2Dl7blnACGhg/s320/Snake-Rituals7-7971.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625166163181538898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">I always wanted to photograph snakes, especially my dream is to photograph the King Cobra, and I guess I am getting there sooner or later.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> The Rat snake is at times mistaken for a cobra and killed needlessly.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> It offers valuable service to the environment by keeping the balance of the ecosystem through its feeding on rats, frogs and insects in places where agriculture is the dominant activity.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> Though large and fierce looking, the rat snake is not a poisonous species.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSrmPzp-0Mh03VcNP1C-kbGofOiH31ZZ7gBmi7F5PN6b-8ptl14mc8qRjlnTRNteX9NAh991IT1LNUWWFPX-dv_xci03AfXsHuXZElkkzgqIvxVsMq_0T8YzD9P0lbePV9jk9hOCls74/s1600/Snake-Rituals8-8025.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSrmPzp-0Mh03VcNP1C-kbGofOiH31ZZ7gBmi7F5PN6b-8ptl14mc8qRjlnTRNteX9NAh991IT1LNUWWFPX-dv_xci03AfXsHuXZElkkzgqIvxVsMq_0T8YzD9P0lbePV9jk9hOCls74/s320/Snake-Rituals8-8025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625166611514215682" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-49330689068612224032011-07-03T20:41:00.012+05:302013-10-30T08:04:09.895+05:30The Power Of Striped Cat & The Macho!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAWQGDAbh3IMQKS_kjOfDwQAFOuS5gqw8ADsLX8qXbLv1zq57i5dkXBRf0gEuXJbYFfUolRw81pQlQMus40quWgBtgt3Thwx_dvJq3rJCifHJfkgN4RY3hMWtBOOX1C9Md7ptovKH6Ss/s1600/Tiger_Bettada_Katte_New_Oct%252713-5837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAWQGDAbh3IMQKS_kjOfDwQAFOuS5gqw8ADsLX8qXbLv1zq57i5dkXBRf0gEuXJbYFfUolRw81pQlQMus40quWgBtgt3Thwx_dvJq3rJCifHJfkgN4RY3hMWtBOOX1C9Md7ptovKH6Ss/s400/Tiger_Bettada_Katte_New_Oct%252713-5837.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As winter approaches,
challenges are faced on various fronts due to fog, the flights invariably get
delayed, driving on highways becomes tedious and for wildlife/bird
photographers it is a mixed feeling and most of time we aren’t sure if mist and
fog can be in our favor or against us. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Such was a morning game drive at Bandipur Tiger
Reserve, mist covers all around the park. I had one of my favorite and luckiest
drivers of all of times Kiran of JLR Bandipur, a young lad but who has loads of
experiences in these jungles. We started the drive a bit late expecting the
mist to clear, but it never changed so we decided to move on. Our entry was
through chicka surle katte and as we drove on the main surle katte road, we saw
two safari jeeps ahead of us; one took left towards mulapura water hole and the
other on to right that leads to other part of the forest via arale katte
towards yera katte.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a choice to follow either of these jeeps or
to drive straight on the track, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that’s
leads to one of the most difficult hilly terrains referred to as “Bettada Katte”,
Kiran our driver looked at me and was expecting me to make a decision, I
pointed my hand towards bettada katte. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsV8gCHjsdi_PxPj7adwZ6wCApui415KUPLGLzO0lgbZD-B-uQ-Y5W1IVUdAiUV_y-5tnrepGsW1H77p7bE4QVNHQbw1392c-rFgdEYJZdzgH2DNTMOQq6dZfd14wDeGF06TYXmmmlL8/s1600/Tiger-Power1-5824.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625144928540939634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsV8gCHjsdi_PxPj7adwZ6wCApui415KUPLGLzO0lgbZD-B-uQ-Y5W1IVUdAiUV_y-5tnrepGsW1H77p7bE4QVNHQbw1392c-rFgdEYJZdzgH2DNTMOQq6dZfd14wDeGF06TYXmmmlL8/s320/Tiger-Power1-5824.jpg" style="float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As mentioned this is a hilly area, obviously kiran
was very cautious to drive slowly on this route, otherwise also he is a slow
driver. I was with him in the front seat, due to fog, the mist formed was
affecting our view, kiran had to stop the jeep a couple of times and clean the
windshield with a cloth as the wipers weren’t helping much. The visibility was
getting even worse as we drove higher altitude.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsV8gCHjsdi_PxPj7adwZ6wCApui415KUPLGLzO0lgbZD-B-uQ-Y5W1IVUdAiUV_y-5tnrepGsW1H77p7bE4QVNHQbw1392c-rFgdEYJZdzgH2DNTMOQq6dZfd14wDeGF06TYXmmmlL8/s1600/Tiger-Power1-5824.jpg"></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was past 7am;
at one point suddenly I heard an alarm call by langur</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Black Faced Monkey). We stopped
and could see the monkey sitting high up on a tree, the calls went loud and we
all sensed a predator is around. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alarm
calls are directly proportional to excitement, the louder the calls more is our
excitement and this happens despite one has been to forests all his life and
has been spotting tigers and leopards. Alarm calls especially by langurs are
accurate, since they have the best view to spot a predator sitting high up on a
tree. And I was now sure that this guy had spotted a predator, possibly a tiger
or a leopard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGE-xkGdrfMZSlylzvTP-hc8iwBy4HEp4H3Z6otJvak54W4YJP0AzGhNboC6-Hu9ZmLd-vsvvWzQRht-wvBsUSdAGyfsL7CqOKWVI_Im8TQv8gE15vOwCYd6lqGd30jJmp0vl8tHyV_c/s1600/Tiger-Power5-5893.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625148050409239106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGE-xkGdrfMZSlylzvTP-hc8iwBy4HEp4H3Z6otJvak54W4YJP0AzGhNboC6-Hu9ZmLd-vsvvWzQRht-wvBsUSdAGyfsL7CqOKWVI_Im8TQv8gE15vOwCYd6lqGd30jJmp0vl8tHyV_c/s320/Tiger-Power5-5893.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 214px;" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Due dense
mist we were unable to see anything so I asked kiran to drive further and
suddenly from a distance I see something moving on the track. It’s a tiger I whispered;
a huge male not bothered about our presence and was casually walking up the
hill. By now I had made some amazing shots of this cat walking, however all
shots were the rear view. We stopped and followed again and this repeated for a
while but the tiger never turned or even looked back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To our
luck the mist was sort of clearing up, but our patience was put on the highest
level of test. Finally after 5 minutes or the tiger stopped, looked around and
posed, to my bad luck I missed the shot and so did my friends because our jeep
was in motion and kiran braked suddenly when the tiger turned. Our shots went
off blur due to the jerk. We continued to follow this cat and noticed that he
is scent mark his territory by urinating on the several tree trunks, but the
sad part was we still didn’t manage to get a single shot of his face.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGE-xkGdrfMZSlylzvTP-hc8iwBy4HEp4H3Z6otJvak54W4YJP0AzGhNboC6-Hu9ZmLd-vsvvWzQRht-wvBsUSdAGyfsL7CqOKWVI_Im8TQv8gE15vOwCYd6lqGd30jJmp0vl8tHyV_c/s1600/Tiger-Power5-5893.jpg"></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We didn’t
give up, kiran too realized our frustration and drove further, however the good
thing was we gave enough space to the tiger and that’s one reason he didn’t
disappear into the bushes. Finally he stops on a bit elevated terrain, we were
still on the low sloppy track and he turned a bit. Oh boy! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
was a very unique posture, showing all his <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">might,
glory and typical power of the striped cats</b>, and to add to the beauty was
the misty background. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGE-xkGdrfMZSlylzvTP-hc8iwBy4HEp4H3Z6otJvak54W4YJP0AzGhNboC6-Hu9ZmLd-vsvvWzQRht-wvBsUSdAGyfsL7CqOKWVI_Im8TQv8gE15vOwCYd6lqGd30jJmp0vl8tHyV_c/s1600/Tiger-Power5-5893.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMzbukmJQ6K-ooxcN3BBhE56ArRXsdYt2Y5jj2O-_S7Bb-ZVU-nXR8Pz8xPDISkHSG6Ji42jvWE1hrqIpm7C5VUd90WrGF_L9FNwgyqkSy8XNpvOQTD1Bv6M4woFNKLEetVQn9qJISO4/s1600/Tiger-Power3-5886.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625145918706193794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMzbukmJQ6K-ooxcN3BBhE56ArRXsdYt2Y5jj2O-_S7Bb-ZVU-nXR8Pz8xPDISkHSG6Ji42jvWE1hrqIpm7C5VUd90WrGF_L9FNwgyqkSy8XNpvOQTD1Bv6M4woFNKLEetVQn9qJISO4/s320/Tiger-Power3-5886.jpg" style="float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A dream
shot for any wildlife photographer with primary focus on head of a massive male
tiger, he was none other than the bettada katte male, and I named him as “Prince”
as his father “King Agastya” was still ruling the forests of Bandipura. After a
while he gradually disappeared into the bushes. A sight to behold and an
amazing experience of photographing the handsome prince and one of my best
portraits of this tiger by far…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our sighting didn’t end here we
drove back to surle katte and had an encounter with a large bull elephant and it turned
out to be a “Makna”. <span style="color: black;">Bull Elephants (Male) with tusks
are called <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Tuskers"</span>.
Bulls without tusks are called <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"Makna".</span>
Maknas are a rare sight in Indian forests, 1 in 1000 elephants born will
probably be a Makha. Maknas have a reputation for being more dangerous,
aggressive and cunning than tuskers amongst elephant family, like tuskers they
too are solitary. Maknas are recognizable only by their bull-like built. From a
distance they can be mistaken for cow elephants.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHk19cJVCYkLYTXY8yDkVknt6c1NRBo2emk4jZWjE5RBgXlXUu4MhxiyQeFdVgGKxrJpRIueZeF6q8POy-Oc8kZHwHPhpRULvwBU6i9_ZG80Fc1YVZQ0cbZsHjgMDllqnev3Ix9q-nZc/s1600/Makna2-8840.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625148951339664242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHk19cJVCYkLYTXY8yDkVknt6c1NRBo2emk4jZWjE5RBgXlXUu4MhxiyQeFdVgGKxrJpRIueZeF6q8POy-Oc8kZHwHPhpRULvwBU6i9_ZG80Fc1YVZQ0cbZsHjgMDllqnev3Ix9q-nZc/s320/Makna2-8840.jpg" style="float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another thing I noticed
which approaching towards this elephant, that he is in Musth, I cautioned Kiran
that we need to be extra careful. As we drove closer, this guy charged at us
like mad, he takes no nonsense and means only business. The impact of charge is
so much that many of us forget to photograph, however I managed few shots using
Canon EOS 40D and 100-400mm lens, ideally a wider angle lens would have been
good. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Musth is a condition
when temporal gland between the eyes and ears swell and discharge a viscous
aromatic secretion. When a male elephant reaches the age of 20, he starts to
come into this phase of Musth which prepares him for the intense competition
for females and mating rights. Musth might last up to 60 days as they wander
looking for females in the forest. Also during this condition they constantly
urinate, signaling other elephants of his state. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiosCG8UPMryfXSlDQojBrBcpWefaQTzu9kRSrYHKvBvQPfaKnPaWP4GPEpVSYrfAyh6bwZxL9Pyx2N8b0JF23zccohzPq7OnXUX7ZaSgXQl5RpheBA_6elYqVaW6T0HhwHZxVgbAHDyo/s1600/Makna3-8888.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625149341659957186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiosCG8UPMryfXSlDQojBrBcpWefaQTzu9kRSrYHKvBvQPfaKnPaWP4GPEpVSYrfAyh6bwZxL9Pyx2N8b0JF23zccohzPq7OnXUX7ZaSgXQl5RpheBA_6elYqVaW6T0HhwHZxVgbAHDyo/s320/Makna3-8888.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The musth condition can
be noticed in the images attached. If you ever come across Maknas ensure that
you maintain silence and more importantly keep safe distance. After taking few
shots, we drove off quietly and left the Makna alone.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMzbukmJQ6K-ooxcN3BBhE56ArRXsdYt2Y5jj2O-_S7Bb-ZVU-nXR8Pz8xPDISkHSG6Ji42jvWE1hrqIpm7C5VUd90WrGF_L9FNwgyqkSy8XNpvOQTD1Bv6M4woFNKLEetVQn9qJISO4/s1600/Tiger-Power3-5886.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGE-xkGdrfMZSlylzvTP-hc8iwBy4HEp4H3Z6otJvak54W4YJP0AzGhNboC6-Hu9ZmLd-vsvvWzQRht-wvBsUSdAGyfsL7CqOKWVI_Im8TQv8gE15vOwCYd6lqGd30jJmp0vl8tHyV_c/s1600/Tiger-Power5-5893.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ';"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHk19cJVCYkLYTXY8yDkVknt6c1NRBo2emk4jZWjE5RBgXlXUu4MhxiyQeFdVgGKxrJpRIueZeF6q8POy-Oc8kZHwHPhpRULvwBU6i9_ZG80Fc1YVZQ0cbZsHjgMDllqnev3Ix9q-nZc/s1600/Makna2-8840.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiosCG8UPMryfXSlDQojBrBcpWefaQTzu9kRSrYHKvBvQPfaKnPaWP4GPEpVSYrfAyh6bwZxL9Pyx2N8b0JF23zccohzPq7OnXUX7ZaSgXQl5RpheBA_6elYqVaW6T0HhwHZxVgbAHDyo/s1600/Makna3-8888.jpg"><br /></a> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-47688540231374632512011-07-03T18:17:00.013+05:302013-06-01T10:42:56.801+05:30Beauty On The Hills!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjMGVSNhvaWytdrXyzkJwtFA-_41fqkbz-z8_s331oT-By5QBjfxGUMxKnoqUUsZOfn6HmzjF28mir21b8q-T3uujVOYVnODupn2HEuyQtnN3k3-2WDw_CQosqBGKHOJjkLJWjih3fiQ/s1600/Gopal-Swamy-Betta-Smabar-Scape-5336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2FZInAK58oe2fVF1DRPrzkCfMHdI_y7HXrGYO2QkA0c1wqmIOJG6Byz8GKu0Yodd8j_LbOB9MZyV4XvQeOqFvYl74rs7Y6uAx8WUFRHpZCsC1tWai_wOHq2T8080D8xWpWpZyJzb63M/s1600/Leopard1-8883.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625108522687617378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2FZInAK58oe2fVF1DRPrzkCfMHdI_y7HXrGYO2QkA0c1wqmIOJG6Byz8GKu0Yodd8j_LbOB9MZyV4XvQeOqFvYl74rs7Y6uAx8WUFRHpZCsC1tWai_wOHq2T8080D8xWpWpZyJzb63M/s320/Leopard1-8883.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: ";"> 31st December 2009 a chili morning, I and my friends along with few of our KPIT colleagues from enabling function decided to pay visit to a temple and go for a trek. This place is known as Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIqTrtxOenK3ZuGPkOEXNNdtW8juYAKk0RDFgrvW6M1Q1PZYK5I4Os48JoHbQiWWBclpePFLLeszu3JCqQE71tr4O4ecLyU5rdUD2VKcRUosW82B8ywmMZhRofaagiWL7zk_fqKKq194/s1600/Gopal-Swamy-Temple1-2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIqTrtxOenK3ZuGPkOEXNNdtW8juYAKk0RDFgrvW6M1Q1PZYK5I4Os48JoHbQiWWBclpePFLLeszu3JCqQE71tr4O4ecLyU5rdUD2VKcRUosW82B8ywmMZhRofaagiWL7zk_fqKKq194/s320/Gopal-Swamy-Temple1-2430.jpg" width="320" /></a>never I visit here I feel I am in haven also it’s a trekker’s paradise. The temple is ~700 years old, and people worship Lord Krishna here. It is part of the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve. So one can spot herds of Elephants, Indian Gaurs, Chital, Sambar Deers and if you are lucky Tigers and Leopards too. We had to drive up the hill first ~3000 ft above the sea level and park our vehicles near the temple and then go trekking in the wild.<span style="color: black; font-family: ";">whe</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-XX4VXDxqBHJusvtGiZTzE1KrAEkhrun4cUkChvWFxe-BZ4_Z0PX1NA7DF0AF0wipNBzDjWLgmPenp74PXCLgqftyJ5Kh1Lb0nc81l9-b5O1OlFW3uHX_K5uHoCy01ks-_xj_DH28RY/s1600/Temple-8927.jpg"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: ";">As we reached the forest entry gate, we had to pay entry fees and proceed, while driving the steep hills, our driver suddenly screamed Sir “Tiger”, where I asked him he said on the slopes. I quickly looked <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out and to my surprise it was a Leopard, with so many people in our mini bus and the human noise the leopard hid in the bushes behind the lantana. When I first saw the leopard he was in very much in the open on the hilly slope waiting for the sun light as it was quite cold. Leopards are the most elusive cats in the wild & very shy by nature and hardly one can see them in the open during the day light, most of the time they are on trees or hidden in the under growth.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQIiCCPXKOxp5YsWZjH4FXv9cZ8GAbXtdepGUDdzN-WGaYgbCsbl_TQryVvQbG5MDIQrxNInSw-yNWaciM9upEioXX9VVJiGZsUMEXAZoCIwvj1omJ3O550AszzTFWCHcgn9C3rlCH0U/s1600/Leopard2-8879.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625108674806862482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQIiCCPXKOxp5YsWZjH4FXv9cZ8GAbXtdepGUDdzN-WGaYgbCsbl_TQryVvQbG5MDIQrxNInSw-yNWaciM9upEioXX9VVJiGZsUMEXAZoCIwvj1omJ3O550AszzTFWCHcgn9C3rlCH0U/s320/Leopard2-8879.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ";">My camera was packed in my bag, when we first spotted the leopard, by the time I unpacked and connected my lens, we could still see the leopard but he was hidden behind the bushes so I had no chance of getting any images. I requested everyone to maintain silence with the hope that leopard may come out, however he never came out. After a while I got down from the vehicle and was looking around. To my surprise the leopard who was hiding behind the lantana peeped out to check our presence. This was my only chance to photograph him, I stood in front of him like a statue and clicked multiple shots, within minutes he vanished again in the under growth.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mh5thKXwoXD53B6ZEpJ5FU8kXZxweRB5DIkddU90X9BwVy5CCMJRDHd3gBBu8znoFSqjx1w5ivWtfSpvWSn2EwN3zr60TCtt5Jy4YBNS30hSYyZt9CGI3hO2gvnrtbtDKwYMu8htCdc/s1600/Betta2-8931.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625108305933247570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mh5thKXwoXD53B6ZEpJ5FU8kXZxweRB5DIkddU90X9BwVy5CCMJRDHd3gBBu8znoFSqjx1w5ivWtfSpvWSn2EwN3zr60TCtt5Jy4YBNS30hSYyZt9CGI3hO2gvnrtbtDKwYMu8htCdc/s320/Betta2-8931.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ";">I have traveled to Gopalswamy betta on many occasions but had never sighted a cat here, this was totally unexpected. It is rightly said that the wild animals make their appearance when they are least expected. The leopard was huge and healthy, what a moment this was, if I think about it even now I can’t believe & I am sure I will not get over it forever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEwRjjWvnohC270Y9DdSdEpS8er77TOdomU4we52sLam8Aj-_-qqoLpRzcQFHEiKIlH_VfPJ-Zdc9ryUlTk-Loy4SLJoN4zzEoeeFnGWdL8iwe827yf21Xulmma0W2UO-54ylSFCzud4/s1600/Leopard3-8888.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625108970293838098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEwRjjWvnohC270Y9DdSdEpS8er77TOdomU4we52sLam8Aj-_-qqoLpRzcQFHEiKIlH_VfPJ-Zdc9ryUlTk-Loy4SLJoN4zzEoeeFnGWdL8iwe827yf21Xulmma0W2UO-54ylSFCzud4/s320/Leopard3-8888.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ";">This was an excellent day to start with a leopard sighting, later while trekking we sighted a herd of 14 elephants also captured in my camera, a huge bull (Indian Gaur), Sambars and Spotted deers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: ";">Gopalswamy betta is ~220kms from Bangalore, 80Kms from Mysore, 80kms from Ooty, 15kms from Bandipur and 12kms from my farm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: ";">There is no doubt that anyone who visits this place will fall in love with it instantly. Himavad Gopalaswamy <span class="searchterm2">Betta</span> is covered with mist for most parts of the year and hence the first part of the name is “Himavad” meaning mist and the presence of the ascetic ancient temple on top dedicated to “<span class="searchterm1">Gopalaswamy</span>/Lord Krishna” forms the second part of the name and the third part is contributed by the fact that it is a hill/<span class="searchterm2">Betta</span>, which is ~3000 feet above sea level.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: ";">This hill is the highest in this region and is part of Bandipur National Park core zone, South of Karnataka. This region is under Project tiger funded by WWF.</span><span style="font-family: ";">In the early mornings the clouds cling to the top of the hill and by afternoon they move away reluctantly only to return by 4 P.M. If you have ever dreamt of walking into the clouds or touching the cloud, then this is the place to realize your dreams and be literally on cloud 9! These regions were a favorite hunting ground for the Mysore Maharajahs and their British guests. The royals have built a guesthouse on top of the hills and there are some rare pictures of the Maharajahs and their guests with their prized hunt…the tiger.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjMGVSNhvaWytdrXyzkJwtFA-_41fqkbz-z8_s331oT-By5QBjfxGUMxKnoqUUsZOfn6HmzjF28mir21b8q-T3uujVOYVnODupn2HEuyQtnN3k3-2WDw_CQosqBGKHOJjkLJWjih3fiQ/s1600/Gopal-Swamy-Betta-Smabar-Scape-5336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjMGVSNhvaWytdrXyzkJwtFA-_41fqkbz-z8_s331oT-By5QBjfxGUMxKnoqUUsZOfn6HmzjF28mir21b8q-T3uujVOYVnODupn2HEuyQtnN3k3-2WDw_CQosqBGKHOJjkLJWjih3fiQ/s320/Gopal-Swamy-Betta-Smabar-Scape-5336.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-28491889698410737222011-07-03T16:56:00.007+05:302011-07-05T23:59:50.983+05:30Up Close and Dangerous!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3kj8-eXmfAj7MJQ-PQ4gwnm4HB0UQ_pcFtTfAZTalLf9rpjUtT5aRniWFVt70si4gLBTTZZXnx3JFkBhIA5-8TRe9PaUx66c26kgQvtJFFfFSXk-6ugAOz2vRxnjt7j0iKL5NpMv96g/s1600/Agastya1-1063.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3kj8-eXmfAj7MJQ-PQ4gwnm4HB0UQ_pcFtTfAZTalLf9rpjUtT5aRniWFVt70si4gLBTTZZXnx3JFkBhIA5-8TRe9PaUx66c26kgQvtJFFfFSXk-6ugAOz2vRxnjt7j0iKL5NpMv96g/s320/Agastya1-1063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625090015359378706" border="0" /></a><br />Tiger Census was conducted during the 4<sup>th</sup> week of Jan’10 for about 7 days across all forests in Karnataka state. The forest dept sought help from general public and wildlife enthusiasts to volunteer for this good cause. The highest number of applications received was from none other than from our own IT professionals from Bangalore, unfortunately due to work pressure I missed out on this opportunity. <p class="MsoNormal">The results of Bandipur were promising ~ 120 Tigers or more exist in this forest, these are unofficial results however official numbers will be announced soon. This tempted me to visit Bandipur over the weekend. As usual I got ready for the jeep safari at 3:45pm. Being a regular visitor to JLR, Bandipur most of the time I prefer to be in Kiran’s jeep - driver though, I consider Kiran as a Naturalist simply because of his in-depth knowledge about the forest, behavior of animals, core areas and movements of the wild cats. However even Natraj joined us in the same jeep, he is a Naturalist and good guide for trekking. It was a hot afternoon we drove towards the anti-poaching camp, as we reached there it was almost 4:30pm. A forest guard came out of the camp base, we asked him, if he has sighted anything, he replied that he saw a tiger at 4:10pm on Subramanya Katte road resting underneath a tree. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We started heading towards that direction but did not see any tiger there, we drove a little further and saw pug marks (foot prints) but the pug marks were visible only for few yards. Later we reached a water hole known as Ane katte where 2 jeeps were already there & they were watching a Elephant herd. Time was running out, I told Kiran to check all the water holes, normally once a day tigers come to quench their thirst. By now we had spotted a mother and Calf Elephant, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Chital & Sambars.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our search for tiger continued we were about to reach a water hole called KM katte, that is a highly dense and covered with lot of bamboo. The time was almost 6pm and the light was fading fast, as we reached KM Katte, Kiran noticed a tiger drinking water through the bushes on our right, by now ours was the only jeep at this location. I asked Kiran to stop the jeep at the best possible angle, I was sitting next to him, I partly opened the door and rested my camera/lens on roof top of the jeep, due to low light I was unable to click, in Digital SLR’s if light is low your shutter speed goes down drastically and the images get blurred. To make things worse the water hole as mentioned is densely covered with bamboo so it was even more difficult to get a better view of the tiger, I saw the time & it was 6:10pm. I didn’t want to miss this golden opportunity to photograph a tiger quenching its thirst.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRO9QulYzXtLXxFiu-4Hg48eTrwFmGzBCgrhWU5uNDA7VpeA4XHwmeCsdzkpQ03qfTQRHF9ujCH80aL3PTRIjbU0N2uruwaUVgtAak8oRJQ6YP2IQsEOtNd17rw2yBeCZ62qxhVx9y2Q/s1600/Agastya3-1075.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRO9QulYzXtLXxFiu-4Hg48eTrwFmGzBCgrhWU5uNDA7VpeA4XHwmeCsdzkpQ03qfTQRHF9ujCH80aL3PTRIjbU0N2uruwaUVgtAak8oRJQ6YP2IQsEOtNd17rw2yBeCZ62qxhVx9y2Q/s320/Agastya3-1075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625089067525116258" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I quickly changed my setting of my camera and increased the ISO to 1600; fortunately the tiger was still there. I had set my camera to burst mode & clicked my shots, with this mode the camera makes typical sound like as if someone is firing bullets. Upon hearing the sound the Tiger stared at me & simultaneously was drinking water. Wow! What a Beauty! I have done it! I kept saying to myself and continued to click. I have never ever seen a tiger in this pose or posture before, just a foot above ground level. It can go unnoticed so easily especially in dense areas like this one; this was surely something different and a very special moment for me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There was another dramatic turn to all this excitement, as I was clicking all of sudden a huge Tusker charged in at the tiger. I had no clue nor seen that Tusker probably it was grazing in the bamboo bushes and didn’t like a tiger close by. Unfortunately I missed photographing this action. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later the tusker disappeared in the bushes and even the tiger vanished into the undergrowth. I was eager to check my images, Kiran & Natraj immediately recognized looking at the tiger image and said Sir he’s “Agastya” the Male Tiger. Agastya is the oldest male tiger in Bandipur forest aged ~15 years, surely the “Pride of Bandipur”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRMAsaiXlmhT22mMOFqRsRJcJK_e6l8v_hS5Lq8DwpQeqqXoo4XIGxYmhdRZCaK8avZReu1ux8EJ1m34OUsYpwsiq-1EqACklcZ9nBVTL9dQipNhDCoB-qqTGgvbPAkEysgH-hnrSOiQ/s1600/Agastya2-1070.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRMAsaiXlmhT22mMOFqRsRJcJK_e6l8v_hS5Lq8DwpQeqqXoo4XIGxYmhdRZCaK8avZReu1ux8EJ1m34OUsYpwsiq-1EqACklcZ9nBVTL9dQipNhDCoB-qqTGgvbPAkEysgH-hnrSOiQ/s320/Agastya2-1070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625088740384932098" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since the tiger disappeared in the under growth we thought it may come on the road so we drove a little ahead near Yere katte and waited for 5-10 mins but he did not come. So Kiran said lets go back to the water hole that KM Katte & check, to our surprise we saw 2 jeeps watching the same tiger drinking water, probably he was so thirsty that he returned to quench his thirst. Now we could only see him with our naked eye, due to very low light there was no chance to photograph; it was past 6:30pm. Upon reaching the resort the guests from other jeeps wanted to know if anyone managed to take pictures of the tiger drinking water but none of them could get a single image. Upon seeing my images all of them were amazed to see such a handsome male & with some extra-ordinary posture of drinking water.</p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-28934199786600848572011-07-03T14:00:00.003+05:302011-07-11T21:42:07.004+05:30The Prey and Predator!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyWlH0dboer0z3iFGS_x-bhFpaLHXM3rvY4okHQ1OVnpMhzsYtN3DZC5MXTAqBHBBTyzzODjsGch95Y03zYBDEiGIVicSrb-Tuhq2WvS-gvco3CDp2MssAZABEf7GGv0mUeX-dYyUQOk/s1600/Gaur2-8562.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyWlH0dboer0z3iFGS_x-bhFpaLHXM3rvY4okHQ1OVnpMhzsYtN3DZC5MXTAqBHBBTyzzODjsGch95Y03zYBDEiGIVicSrb-Tuhq2WvS-gvco3CDp2MssAZABEf7GGv0mUeX-dYyUQOk/s320/Gaur2-8562.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625064908773291202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify">Saturday - October the 2<sup>nd</sup> 2010, another exciting day in Bandipur Tiger Reserve and of course one cannot forget that “The Father of our Nation” – Mahatma Gandhi ji was born on this day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We drove quite early in the morning into the forest, it had rained quite a lot the previous day and the forest was at its best. As we drove past a water hole called Karigowerna katte, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>& were heading toward daiyad katte, from a distance I saw a large herd of India Gaurs (Bison’s), right on the middle of the track. Most of the times the gaurs disappear into the bushes as they see humans or if a jeep is approaching but on this occasion even after seeing us driving towards them the gaurs were unmoved.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNYCXCmNT4HVJRmtvICKjqu1teFXNHRj4GofHzDlyO32u0K5M1pw_23F4OYrcGaqAIuynPSu22rPlSm-FbiNwSNl48j5ohYReOUIaKJYLhGtN02WPZMHa_p3VGoa7hfyWGyznBUAuHgY/s1600/Gaur1-8547.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNYCXCmNT4HVJRmtvICKjqu1teFXNHRj4GofHzDlyO32u0K5M1pw_23F4OYrcGaqAIuynPSu22rPlSm-FbiNwSNl48j5ohYReOUIaKJYLhGtN02WPZMHa_p3VGoa7hfyWGyznBUAuHgY/s320/Gaur1-8547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625064604000131154" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"> I noticed that all gaurs were looking in one direction. We sensed that something is wrong, I was in the front seat and Basavanna our naturalist was driving. I told Basavanna to slow down the jeep and after few yards we stopped. The gaurs seemed very nervous & were still looking in one direction that is on our left, few gaurs we were snorting, hoofing & we could clearly hear the sounds. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z8J_a8HHPTj6dPSsac0bWR1f2M-Rst2OuMLOCjTaWeHbLTf2VWvkM0IyUFpGzaHwCFL_vPeyi4SoOw_qPiZCEjHkgbaJlVrN1WydYiispURW-oZdFfBzlKcnE3TgWJF6dbocRndicno/s1600/Gaur3-8552.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z8J_a8HHPTj6dPSsac0bWR1f2M-Rst2OuMLOCjTaWeHbLTf2VWvkM0IyUFpGzaHwCFL_vPeyi4SoOw_qPiZCEjHkgbaJlVrN1WydYiispURW-oZdFfBzlKcnE3TgWJF6dbocRndicno/s320/Gaur3-8552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625065338981476178" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify">We patiently waited for 20 mins, the gaurs didn’t move & had blocked our way. After a while, all of a sudden, the gaur that had a calf started charging towards the bush on our left and was clearing our way so we decided to move on. As the gaur charged towards the bush, a tiger that was probably was resting in the bushes pounced on the calf. It was a narrow escape for the calf & the mother. What we could see is just a glimpse of the tiger and its paw that attacked the calf, the action happened in a fraction of a second. None of us expected this & were in a position to click & take shots. Believe me seeing a tiger attacking a gaur live was some experience, it was just out of the world. To me this was by far one the most thrilling and amazing moments that I have ever had in the forest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"> It was a panic situation for the gaurs, our focus was diverted from gaurs and now we were desperately looking to find the tiger that had disappeared in the undergrowth. Unlike human beings animals don’t waste their energy. The tiger was smart enough to sense the large herd 40+ & it knew that he had no chance to fight the herd. A couple of years ago a bull gaur had killed a tiger at Nagarhole forest in Karnataka state, so gaurs are not an easy prey unless the tiger attacks calves or sub adults gaurs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"> Later the tiger moved I guess through the bushes as we heard langur (monkey) alarm calls on the other side. We left the gaurs undisturbed and moved on to track the tiger. After searching most of the expected water holes finally we decided to give up as we could not find the tiger and thought we will drive towards the anti-poaching camp.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs7BlnQgqnXtem5EsRciKBPO_lAurtQHErmOP_xtAyVFPjJV__5XwpRMgcvbemhoG3jjxkIKL7ErQq9J2BGZAR8vkwNghxB3LcCdreX900Fs8ItvBgFgS3ve7eMKz6xuPzCaKAce7JKU/s1600/Tiger1-4389.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKs7BlnQgqnXtem5EsRciKBPO_lAurtQHErmOP_xtAyVFPjJV__5XwpRMgcvbemhoG3jjxkIKL7ErQq9J2BGZAR8vkwNghxB3LcCdreX900Fs8ItvBgFgS3ve7eMKz6xuPzCaKAce7JKU/s320/Tiger1-4389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625065634998502818" border="0" /></a>As we were heading towards the camp to our luck at a distance I sighted a tiger at a distance walking on the middle on the road, I am not 100% sure if this was the same tiger as this seemed a sub adult (female). The tiger was not really bothered though she knew that we were right behind her. I asked Basavanna to keep distance since I wanted some images of her face. She never turned back, we followed & followed her for almost 15 mins but she was in no mood to turn and look back.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOhI006wZAfpNPQWCtaafB-hTJSfglYRhL_5sHdsSdSWx-1oOg8hQzeGrhlmvs3yDYuGySxcDVbe7lYQesg2BtqVEa5MCjml-WRnN5Zc7wEjzy6UMfmGi4dGPzxGh4dVvura-egG3B6k/s1600/Tiger2-4396.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOhI006wZAfpNPQWCtaafB-hTJSfglYRhL_5sHdsSdSWx-1oOg8hQzeGrhlmvs3yDYuGySxcDVbe7lYQesg2BtqVEa5MCjml-WRnN5Zc7wEjzy6UMfmGi4dGPzxGh4dVvura-egG3B6k/s320/Tiger2-4396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625065949773756082" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; text-align:justify">Later we left the tiger in peace and headed back to the exit gate, sometime we have to live with this & be satisfied. Sighting a tiger itself was exciting and seeing a tiger attack a gaur was simply out of the world, I had seen such moments in Nat Geo, Discovery & Animal Planet documentaries , can’t ask for more. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-22967156870320436182011-07-03T12:02:00.008+05:302011-07-14T09:55:31.973+05:30The Elusive Cat of Bandipur!<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWMqcS7tlKaM3a3jfQo5pAeSaKyyi_uLuPBbUcmz6Dhe181geL9tnJUhmgnI2kwzp86bV6wLK3_R4dBQP9PGmGK9M9FEf_pvsz5q5az4j2Hu48S9VpgujjCZyGJ9e1UTKQhvdbMA60nU/s1600/Leppy4-5412.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWMqcS7tlKaM3a3jfQo5pAeSaKyyi_uLuPBbUcmz6Dhe181geL9tnJUhmgnI2kwzp86bV6wLK3_R4dBQP9PGmGK9M9FEf_pvsz5q5az4j2Hu48S9VpgujjCZyGJ9e1UTKQhvdbMA60nU/s320/Leppy4-5412.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625034216996299410" border="0" /></a></p><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">4<sup>th</sup> March 2011, I along with few of my friends visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve, since most of them were photographers we decided to be together in one jeep & leave a little early. We managed to leave for our evening safari at 3:45pm and our first encounter was with a herd of Elephants that had a calf, so the protective mother not only charged but in a fit of anger she kicked a dry tree stump lying on the ground and it almost hit our jeep.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXTveZXL9WPlTwrn8pJaBbD2jhl4OI77_14SIbhR_iNN0x-L-4grZcE9K9BNvUUI9wWu92lE6mR5OdQjx3vAkF7tLrn43_IkQqKhpjBFlCSdQv7NXVPbL1QF22adXlQIRr-JnJ4PimOo/s1600/Elephant-Heard1-9573.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXTveZXL9WPlTwrn8pJaBbD2jhl4OI77_14SIbhR_iNN0x-L-4grZcE9K9BNvUUI9wWu92lE6mR5OdQjx3vAkF7tLrn43_IkQqKhpjBFlCSdQv7NXVPbL1QF22adXlQIRr-JnJ4PimOo/s320/Elephant-Heard1-9573.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625031734244201026" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> Further the excitement continued and we were lucky to spot & shoot a pair of wild dogs (Dhole).The couple probably had good meal and were in a relaxed mood, the sun was setting and I was fortunate to photograph them in the evening golden light.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJRcakLyKV4VyPFScdriDzfXpPDqyELVeXT4gGWQO-c33Pf5ksHKT99FDtocUKEb1xOT1_Xv1bH7XTmJQc-G9AgU1qQYx4-0Yd4oqjpVO1mR3oBSnTjg19olb6-AOYk3HAjod7mdQ_yQ/s1600/Dhole-Pair1-5214.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJRcakLyKV4VyPFScdriDzfXpPDqyELVeXT4gGWQO-c33Pf5ksHKT99FDtocUKEb1xOT1_Xv1bH7XTmJQc-G9AgU1qQYx4-0Yd4oqjpVO1mR3oBSnTjg19olb6-AOYk3HAjod7mdQ_yQ/s320/Dhole-Pair1-5214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625032108296790338" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We continued our ride and later there were no sightings of any animals, also the light was fading and it was almost 6:30pm so we took the 1<sup>st</sup> mile JD road and headed towards the exit gate. As we were driving we heard langur (black faced monkey) alarm calls, I was sure that a tiger or a leopard is around, we waited patiently and after a while the alarm calls stopped. If the predator is around the langur will continue to give alarm calls, and in this case I guess that predator had moved hence the calls stopped. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was looking through the bushes very carefully as during dusk the tigers or the leopard is on the move. As usual I was in the front seat along with my lucky driver Kiran, my friends were at the rear open top seats along with naturalist Natraj, one my friend Bhargava’s mom too had accompanied and she was inside right behind me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFL2g1QzxYgL-d3rUOooh7pCnYrQl2J7GIESPNZeoxRnMzsVpH_gFgYNtZjjRaqF5kEHC-PPm0VOYCB7Qu9QbwGe_DI1ARniRjaznTHmbDnv15L1bGquumgSQXOkVEXQeLD3tNlsy70A/s1600/Leppy1-5351.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFL2g1QzxYgL-d3rUOooh7pCnYrQl2J7GIESPNZeoxRnMzsVpH_gFgYNtZjjRaqF5kEHC-PPm0VOYCB7Qu9QbwGe_DI1ARniRjaznTHmbDnv15L1bGquumgSQXOkVEXQeLD3tNlsy70A/s320/Leppy1-5351.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625032755953538786" border="0" /></a> We reached the 1<sup>st</sup> mile JD road and suddenly to my left I spotted a leopard resting in the open, immediately I asked Kiran to switch off the engine and asked everyone to remain calm. Leopards are so shy even if spotted from a distance they disappear in fraction of a second. And believe me this one was less than 25 meters from our jeep.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY6XGL-LR02xIpDmKNn2jgmLTxu6H26HD4ALNQZvN8hHxIfzU6jSK98rYp5SRxI9DLRlHK45cl5EphDxeX3MBVWnwt5EBnmggv3_Hwj0tOHNPQ3wIVZalaEPARQVA5sTcBtUO68UNg4Q/s1600/Leppy5-5473.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY6XGL-LR02xIpDmKNn2jgmLTxu6H26HD4ALNQZvN8hHxIfzU6jSK98rYp5SRxI9DLRlHK45cl5EphDxeX3MBVWnwt5EBnmggv3_Hwj0tOHNPQ3wIVZalaEPARQVA5sTcBtUO68UNg4Q/s320/Leppy5-5473.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625034767206039394" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">As soon as the leopard saw us it was about to disappear in the bushes but because we maintained pin drop silence and unmoved, it seemed relaxed and settled down. I grabbed this opportunity to shoot with my Canon 7D & 500mm Lens; the light was very low as the time was 6:40pm. I immediately increased the ISO to 1600 setting the largest aperture 4 and took some shots. After 5 mins I further increased the ISO to 3200 and shot few more images. Unbelievable sighting this is I said in my mind and continued to shoot.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7cfmTWTb71XUXAcJUKb4YH0YrRBg3715yB2p2bDdoahv4ffX40MkuT5Tpnge1NwejCL2aFXTEAFEabcFRlLqUAVc0hU_vcx3FIzA4NaJwVuwFRnN9BxuCElJWjf6Eh9MaTci_6KxzwQ/s1600/Leppy2-9607.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7cfmTWTb71XUXAcJUKb4YH0YrRBg3715yB2p2bDdoahv4ffX40MkuT5Tpnge1NwejCL2aFXTEAFEabcFRlLqUAVc0hU_vcx3FIzA4NaJwVuwFRnN9BxuCElJWjf6Eh9MaTci_6KxzwQ/s320/Leppy2-9607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625033360368855106" border="0" /></a> While shooting with 500mm I realized that the leopard was so close that I was unable to get him in full and part of the body couldn’t fit in the frame. I immediately pulled out my other camera, Canon 40D with 100-400mm Lens. With this I was able to get the Leopard in full.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeeZzNxzwkuV0jPgHokocg0JDl4KWSNXXnxNe1Xy5BybG1NZ-tDxdcSbNjLWbQsYC8dGbQ4NFF9aUSq9C6kSJG7RLIeNoJzP8lEHmawEhTgj5p2nK910rDSAbx-XZIgsOGaTu_XQgRqU/s1600/Leppy3-5492.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeeZzNxzwkuV0jPgHokocg0JDl4KWSNXXnxNe1Xy5BybG1NZ-tDxdcSbNjLWbQsYC8dGbQ4NFF9aUSq9C6kSJG7RLIeNoJzP8lEHmawEhTgj5p2nK910rDSAbx-XZIgsOGaTu_XQgRqU/s320/Leppy3-5492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625033771253091458" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By now we had spend almost 10-15 mins with leopard, so I thought I will try a video that is in-built in my Canon 7D, I pressed the record button and suddenly a forest dept jeep came closer, with the noise the leopard crouched and disappeared in the bushes. Fortunately all this got recorded.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWMqcS7tlKaM3a3jfQo5pAeSaKyyi_uLuPBbUcmz6Dhe181geL9tnJUhmgnI2kwzp86bV6wLK3_R4dBQP9PGmGK9M9FEf_pvsz5q5az4j2Hu48S9VpgujjCZyGJ9e1UTKQhvdbMA60nU/s1600/Leppy4-5412.jpg"><br /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When we returned to the JLR resort, none of the staff at JLR including the resort manager Mr.Gangaswamy couldn’t believe that we spotted a leopard in the open and not only photographed but also that<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>take a video. Everyone who visits forest regularly knows how difficult it is to even get glimpse of this most elusive and shy cat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-3539890235773686982011-07-03T00:19:00.003+05:302011-07-03T22:19:07.989+05:30A Tiger by Night!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">“Tiger</span> by Night</i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">”</span></i></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> sounds like a tale from a jungle book isn’t it? Can you image an encounter with a tiger at night, how the excitement is & how one can photograph under these conditions? To learn more read my live experience coming straight from my most favorite forest “The Bandipur Tiger Reserve”. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">On 30<sup>th</sup> Oct’10 (Saturday) I, along with few friends was on the evening safari at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Our safari ride started quite well spotting a herd of Elephants at Mulapura water hole, it was interesting to watch the calf & her interaction with the cow elephants.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSqPxiU0qRsXeOhg1DUH9LWrOv0221w0pRo7LQMr2tXxdZSoA9t6nlcW3cAHw415ocFB7ylWW4MsBTM8_zx5xUvYlUe-uXf-I2r0r9jXMm4cN3x9l6gcms4wxGp6k0tLndRkQKkDe0f0/s1600/Elephant-herd-8736.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSqPxiU0qRsXeOhg1DUH9LWrOv0221w0pRo7LQMr2tXxdZSoA9t6nlcW3cAHw415ocFB7ylWW4MsBTM8_zx5xUvYlUe-uXf-I2r0r9jXMm4cN3x9l6gcms4wxGp6k0tLndRkQKkDe0f0/s320/Elephant-herd-8736.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624838095177496306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> Later part of the safari ride seemed dull with cloud cover and drizzle during our journey. However I met a close associate of mine Pavitra Kumar (PK) in the forest, who is the manger of a resort known as Dholes Den, he mentioned that they had glimpse of tiger at 4:30pm and unfortunately they could not photograph as the tiger was quick to disappear in the bushes. We were happy to hear that there is some movement & we continued our jungle ride. Further I received call from Basavanna a senior naturalist at JLR- Bandipur, even they had a glimpse of tiger that disappeared in the undergrowth & moved towards border road. No matter how many ever times you see a tiger in the wild, your excitement is the same as if one sees it for the first time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We were in opposite direction when I received the call; however we decided to try our luck to track the tiger and asked our driver Ramesh to drive towards border road. Border road is the point where Bandipur forest in Karnataka State ends and Mudumalai forest in Tamil Nadu state begins. Time was running out, dark clouds were hovering right above us, it was almost 6pm and it was getting really dark. To make things worse it started to drizzle, I asked Ramesh to speed up and suddenly I noticed a safari van of JLR on our left track, that was reversing, I asked Ramesh to stop, by then Guru Dutt another naturalist of JLR from the van peeped out & whispered that they just had a glimpse of the tiger that disappeared in the bushes hence they were reversing in search of it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Our excitement increased, I was getting a feeling that I am almost close to tiger. At the point where we stopped, there were three routes, one on the left where the van was reversing, on the right the route would end due to border and straight ahead which would lead to the border road check post. We waited in the middle for a while. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Normally during dusk tigers can’t stay in bushes for long, they would prefer to walk freely on the man made tracks on which the safari vehicles ply. The reason is quite simple no animals would want to be in bushes and get insects or mosquito bites, it is irritating to humans and same goes with animals. Somehow I was confident that the tiger will come out, it was 6:15pm we were getting late & must reach the exit gates else forest dept will close and lock the gates.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllJrRc5pPyetTYX9xyvez3GsxGhKSrIo8UIGWWEdRY5A0EFtQAJh5B7D7zFb7nPAseDgnkvgax1_WE98j2izBxvfelKx8f234k2qEsUP0clW5vLGvRhDLgNDkzHf-R6KeaLC7ENhihtM/s1600/Tiger-by-night1-6064.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllJrRc5pPyetTYX9xyvez3GsxGhKSrIo8UIGWWEdRY5A0EFtQAJh5B7D7zFb7nPAseDgnkvgax1_WE98j2izBxvfelKx8f234k2qEsUP0clW5vLGvRhDLgNDkzHf-R6KeaLC7ENhihtM/s320/Tiger-by-night1-6064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624838273989450434" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>It was almost dark, we could hardly see anything, and suddenly at a distance I noticed some animal moving on the track right ahead of us, is it a Sambar or a Tiger I asked? By then our driver Ramesh was quick to start the jeep & drove closer to the animal, as we went closer we were excited to see the tiger walking, everyone started clicking but failed to get a single image. It was pitch dark no chance of getting images through DSLR’s. As a rule of the jungles we shouldn’t use flash to click images in the wild. I asked Ramesh to put on the head lights of the jeep; as the lights were on, we could clearly see the tiger walking on track. At one point we tried going closer and as expected the tiger disappeared into the bushes and we couldn’t see anything.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We waited for few minutes and started to drive without keeping the head lights on, it was so dark that we had to drive at less than 20 km/hr, suddenly the vehicle behind us switched on the headlights and my friend Deepak who was in the front seat screamed, it was a mere coincidence that the headlights from the rear vehicle was switched on and the tiger popped out of the bush and tried to come on the track and almost bumped into our jeep, the tiger <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>growled at Deepak who was in front seat without any door as we were driving the Commander Jeep. It was really scary, the tiger continued to walk and we followed. I was desperate to get some images, had never clicked a tiger image at night.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw6fhhYC4ZWNhD4NI4z8VuZTWIhlUWeBIw8fO2qWMJTVr2MAxs84rwxmNgQgLxb0HeFQFrhZpAM0W8NahUZ-TMB3pgbFB4J3wyF39sz0xv9Nr-jNneRIEYt2466Z6zuiyNTk4mgjXgxg/s1600/Tiger-by-night3-6068.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxw6fhhYC4ZWNhD4NI4z8VuZTWIhlUWeBIw8fO2qWMJTVr2MAxs84rwxmNgQgLxb0HeFQFrhZpAM0W8NahUZ-TMB3pgbFB4J3wyF39sz0xv9Nr-jNneRIEYt2466Z6zuiyNTk4mgjXgxg/s320/Tiger-by-night3-6068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624838943525807330" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">After a while we noticed that the tiger stopped on the middle of the track, probably it was scent marking. This time we gave him enough space and lights were on again. I grabbed my camera and changed the setting by increasing the ISO to 6400 the maximum in Canon EOS 7D model. I was at the rear seat. I had to put one of my feet on the rear foot board, the other one was hanging out, used one hand to hold the roof top rod and with other hand carried my huge heavy weight 500mm lens.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIm2JwKxKcqKtf6UCfLzUCIdZjchB0c-26MlW3fabyCyyziMW5x_3DQK_45lZxuj3Fb0wbif-zqb3BhS-uTiRxP9dVbuuLJCc1ZTPvxF1Sbkxxrsy-idiW0dWF2CuIqUd3_7ihfg_nJk/s1600/Tiger-by-night2-6066.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIm2JwKxKcqKtf6UCfLzUCIdZjchB0c-26MlW3fabyCyyziMW5x_3DQK_45lZxuj3Fb0wbif-zqb3BhS-uTiRxP9dVbuuLJCc1ZTPvxF1Sbkxxrsy-idiW0dWF2CuIqUd3_7ihfg_nJk/s320/Tiger-by-night2-6066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624838590749326418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">This position provided me a clear view of the tiger from roof top of the jeep. I fired few shots without wasting much time, I knew the shutter speed was extremely low, but was lucky to manage few shots; it is hard to believe that I managed these shots, with shutter speed of 1/25 sec, 1/15sec & handholding the heavy lens..</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">After reaching the JLR resort most of the guests could not manage shots even at 5:30pm due to low light, I was fortunate to get reasonable sharp images at 6:30pm while it was pitch dark, two sources that helped me were the head lights of the jeep and the instant idea to increase the ISO to 6400.This is a good live test record for Canon to advertise and prove the ability of Auto Focus of Canon 7D to shoot under extreme low light conditions. Though I have had several encounters with tigers, but this experience was something different and will remain in my memories for a long time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-36343560311364529632011-07-02T13:42:00.016+05:302013-04-21T11:26:44.095+05:30The Chase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWqfFKpHbhm7ZhGueQqxhArrQepLIE3m0w0d3tmDvOAJx1JsWyiGEFZbf2PWONqkjwYqLL00V1dgMi-6vbD8_KXLPEGnJEATAAs9m24pQ17o9uJVXsOvPqn1JBDm4M-ige7xoHKjTiX0/s1600/WD-Blog1-0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624665854448235426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWqfFKpHbhm7ZhGueQqxhArrQepLIE3m0w0d3tmDvOAJx1JsWyiGEFZbf2PWONqkjwYqLL00V1dgMi-6vbD8_KXLPEGnJEATAAs9m24pQ17o9uJVXsOvPqn1JBDm4M-ige7xoHKjTiX0/s320/WD-Blog1-0.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 174px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It was monsoon season but a dry day as the rains stayed away and so did the animals. I along with my friend Guruprasad visited the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. As usual we took the morning safari ride and drive into forest at 6:15am, I had kiran as my driver. The forest seemed quite dull as we drove most of the routes and covered a large tourism area and spotted nothing, except for few spotted deers (Chital). It is quite obvious that one can get frustrated and just pack off, however most of the times I don’t lose hopes until I am back in the resort and don’t even pack my camera till I get into my room, actions can happen anytime, anywhere.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">It was past 8:30am with no sighting of any animals we were heading towards the exit gate fully disappointed. On the way back suddenly a small pack of 4 wild dogs (Dholes) made their appearance from no where, I asked kiran to follow the pack, I said to myself that I hope and wish we can see a kill. The pack of dholes were heading towards “Tavare Katte” the largest water body in Bandipur forest. We noticed that the dholes were quenching their thirst; kiran immediately said “Sir the dholes are drinking water which means they have already made the kill and have come to drink water. I was not convinced, you may have the experience and would have spent all your life in forests, but sometimes you can still go wrong in understanding animal behavior. To me the pack seemed quite small; I have seen packs as large as 22 and as per the recent records at Bandipur there was no such sighting of a small pack of dholes. I was determined to follow the pack so requested kiran and he did oblige, it was getting late though.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">We followed the pack of dholes for few yards on the periphery of the water body; these dholes were towards our side moving here and there typically sniffing type of behavior as seen in dholes. We stopped the jeep at a point and there was complete silence. All we could hear was few birds chirping. It was a wonderful feeling to hear the melodious chirps of the birds for a change, else everyday I hear cars honking day in and out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">On the other side of the water body I saw a group of spot billed ducks with chicks, since they were far and out of my reach, I didn’t want to photograph. Suddenly in this silent zone we heard alarm calls of a chital at a distance; the calls were loud and we were all excited with hope of seeing some action. I was ready with my camera patiently looking towards the other side of the water body from where we heard the alarm calls.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirscTB5J_7GndXYHn862kGIl4Qz5KNfSDnsMau6-K6XrkGD_fdUYIK_stq9s8VbuRuXEzEq-MxOu_TCbjYk5RuPpcvFYswTG-2SJnyBd2A6N43w47PEhpYIRmV9WbVmGXa0V0o07P1Lh8/s1600/WD-Blog14-6192.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624674800993609970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirscTB5J_7GndXYHn862kGIl4Qz5KNfSDnsMau6-K6XrkGD_fdUYIK_stq9s8VbuRuXEzEq-MxOu_TCbjYk5RuPpcvFYswTG-2SJnyBd2A6N43w47PEhpYIRmV9WbVmGXa0V0o07P1Lh8/s320/WD-Blog14-6192.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> To our surprise we saw a chital sprinting as if she was being attacked or chased by a predator, Indeed she was!, I couldn’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>believe that a dhole – probably the alpha male was chasing the deer.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8biQFLtgE5QmomMRnXTIc9cadmLwt0xjY_XchDE-pv3ILFf0HS5whITdkKzOnIhFjUaxLsSXRv4TR5rg8TtpdMA6JZL6MISzULq6qbD83Tmjr2cSAMZqLUFhTqoupByxdPz_FvDxAHY/s1600/WD-Blog2-6193.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624666249398224562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8biQFLtgE5QmomMRnXTIc9cadmLwt0xjY_XchDE-pv3ILFf0HS5whITdkKzOnIhFjUaxLsSXRv4TR5rg8TtpdMA6JZL6MISzULq6qbD83Tmjr2cSAMZqLUFhTqoupByxdPz_FvDxAHY/s320/WD-Blog2-6193.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> It was all so quick that I only managed to photograph the chital in action taking huge leaps but could not get the dhole in the same frame. The distance also was quite far over 200 meters or even more; hence you will notice that the quality of images are slightly on the lower side. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhifaIeu09EjVeIb03zJUoWpq_LHPe4a7t-VPkgl-sMKj4nHn5XLddxs-bTtnRq2HQ10yUS72qnjWoIADkwv5EVPHNiWSQAobcex_p5w7Cfj5KHqKd8_CbDQT8zTaY-qmDLWSq-4wnLQs/s1600/WD-Blog3-6199.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624666541213654994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhifaIeu09EjVeIb03zJUoWpq_LHPe4a7t-VPkgl-sMKj4nHn5XLddxs-bTtnRq2HQ10yUS72qnjWoIADkwv5EVPHNiWSQAobcex_p5w7Cfj5KHqKd8_CbDQT8zTaY-qmDLWSq-4wnLQs/s320/WD-Blog3-6199.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 213px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">In state of panic and confusion the chital made a biggest mistake of her life, she took a long leap into the water, not knowing that it can be her death trap. The raised tail of the chital indicates that she is alert and tells us the story; on the other hand the dhole chased her and also jumped into the water. Can you imagine "The Chase" in the water, Doles are opportunistic and excellent swimmers. How can a prey like chital escape? My hands were shivering; I had never seen such an action before. This was quite disturbing but I kept my eye focused on the camera and my finger on the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a very rare and natural history moment that I had ever witnessed. As the dhole got in closer to the chital, I could see the fear in her eyes, she calls for help.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5mwPvekqs44EVrUsnYw8-oFrsBNps_UL5UJz8Oqwt8PKN8jL2M3UicyHQdkt5F8wveW_GwFYCUHHsjqirutD9Hzn1N1dgrbK6BhCWqDDvafheCO_PoyyFKB-i3mwYOdicb3vg2Z52vE/s1600/WD-Blog4-6211.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624666711127175026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5mwPvekqs44EVrUsnYw8-oFrsBNps_UL5UJz8Oqwt8PKN8jL2M3UicyHQdkt5F8wveW_GwFYCUHHsjqirutD9Hzn1N1dgrbK6BhCWqDDvafheCO_PoyyFKB-i3mwYOdicb3vg2Z52vE/s320/WD-Blog4-6211.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 213px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> The spot billed ducks too were panicked and swam towards the shore. Obviously the chital senses danger to her life and continues to call for help. We were helpless and so were a group of sambar deers that had come to drink water on the other side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3024q6kA_fu1BFRHpGtKil1ybzTq8-UmMnVEgPlXTXC9Rs_lyGELvSOcD6GEjUOmNUebRHLaLBpDKtkbGVKFcSqExTJa0L9aRrhYYIvOSwZ07249g4_YNadKSzPDmo8keCn_5KXCFdAQ/s1600/WD-Blog8-6340.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624667788012088050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3024q6kA_fu1BFRHpGtKil1ybzTq8-UmMnVEgPlXTXC9Rs_lyGELvSOcD6GEjUOmNUebRHLaLBpDKtkbGVKFcSqExTJa0L9aRrhYYIvOSwZ07249g4_YNadKSzPDmo8keCn_5KXCFdAQ/s320/WD-Blog8-6340.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The wails (cry) of the deer were quite touching; I couldn’t control my emotions and had tears in my eyes. Even now I hear the echos and cries of the deer and I am sure the impact is such that this will keep echoing all my life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Later the dhole moved in too close to the chital, her eyes tell us what she was going through at that time,</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcAZHOaRPW4GdMlvu_KOEcLlKHcNffLnSdP_XextFmM9SLBi77B3IZGRyH7l5tABSb9yPQj2ariHFqrE3hsFe626XDRa2jyU7QOtW1C4Qfnb9ZXi7pLCuliB5pqjzX173us0RgDOmVJ4/s1600/WD-Blog11-6151.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624675574784949602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcAZHOaRPW4GdMlvu_KOEcLlKHcNffLnSdP_XextFmM9SLBi77B3IZGRyH7l5tABSb9yPQj2ariHFqrE3hsFe626XDRa2jyU7QOtW1C4Qfnb9ZXi7pLCuliB5pqjzX173us0RgDOmVJ4/s320/WD-Blog11-6151.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 213px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> I think the dhole was on her back and tried to drown her by pushing her into the deep water. This was really disturbing but I continued to shoot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">There was a moment when the dhole is temporarily got distracted and loses his focus, probably due to the group of sambar deers that were getting restless and kicking the water with their feet and also due to our presence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIe3riD6YXI6efDYexX0IqnvPGw29fN6b9ZUkSHoDjUF4-IKP0iXl9J1N-5lY7nJx0JNoOm06k34GhmS8uST_hdSPFR61K2iA5JkClbc2ZsJIwUtJYBI_hTs4vSNRvUbGWCL8blVHeik/s1600/WD-Blog12-6166.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624675321515043346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIe3riD6YXI6efDYexX0IqnvPGw29fN6b9ZUkSHoDjUF4-IKP0iXl9J1N-5lY7nJx0JNoOm06k34GhmS8uST_hdSPFR61K2iA5JkClbc2ZsJIwUtJYBI_hTs4vSNRvUbGWCL8blVHeik/s320/WD-Blog12-6166.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">At first the dhole looks towards me, the face of the dog tells us he was confident and certain of victory; by then the chital that was about to drown swam up, the next moment the dhole looks at the sambar deers.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHNbyByA37pdJQXmFMWaIermmq1QDZV1SjxowqKIBJD8fIZjeAxziyIsfvG9hHK-au1eQ7xiCIQdsEU5vyUVCKB67WVISUd2gRHKNfgNZOO4u5mGPp2Dj-QZFzutTePNqIIJZWDgdfkc/s1600/WD-Blog13-6167.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624674985726124786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHNbyByA37pdJQXmFMWaIermmq1QDZV1SjxowqKIBJD8fIZjeAxziyIsfvG9hHK-au1eQ7xiCIQdsEU5vyUVCKB67WVISUd2gRHKNfgNZOO4u5mGPp2Dj-QZFzutTePNqIIJZWDgdfkc/s320/WD-Blog13-6167.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> During this distraction the chital ceased the opportunity to escape and swims as fast as she can. She reaches the shore and is almost out of the water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">As the chital swims towards the shore she notices another dhole charging at her from the right. The pack of dholes had made an excellent ambush by surrounding the water body so the chital had no option but to jump back into the water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">By now it’s been ~20 minutes of this high action packed drama, the alpha male decides to launch the attack, and the assault begins.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-9RaTWAjVDBWbTBrH_vhORCCSFz-7IP-lxr4Pt2SyXcQU1VrzqfabAJSZfAroj8rvRyR9Yc4Auz2MPxdVf2igF5h2mOmWNhBJrX8KyyIo4Aj-uGodXNUGGfZJDfhaToWUiVrfZpXBZg/s1600/WD-Blog5-6238.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624666817514743218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-9RaTWAjVDBWbTBrH_vhORCCSFz-7IP-lxr4Pt2SyXcQU1VrzqfabAJSZfAroj8rvRyR9Yc4Auz2MPxdVf2igF5h2mOmWNhBJrX8KyyIo4Aj-uGodXNUGGfZJDfhaToWUiVrfZpXBZg/s320/WD-Blog5-6238.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 213px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> The alpha male makes the first attempt to bite the chital; she is in pain, tries hard to escape but now the dhole is fully in control.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE6Sl9WJDoleWE4ixPWref-ytnZksmupaKnJ6eFlJ4pqscdi1l9hEynibQ_ohQkafveqSZCBCP03HWuYCfbJBpWF_ur7itfLTLXq9PMECrJVsEOoXCB8q4BMiSjMLJAUEcIwfRfU-tDc/s1600/WD-Blog6-6246.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624666920483529330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEE6Sl9WJDoleWE4ixPWref-ytnZksmupaKnJ6eFlJ4pqscdi1l9hEynibQ_ohQkafveqSZCBCP03HWuYCfbJBpWF_ur7itfLTLXq9PMECrJVsEOoXCB8q4BMiSjMLJAUEcIwfRfU-tDc/s320/WD-Blog6-6246.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> He pulls the chital towards the shore where the rest of the pack is already waiting.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt38m1FVMjztgFn3yczTGpk4y-iLYt3rBh5CCVaZ_swqP8VwY70u1q5pS-DbPZD1F-0n3JrjLo6Ri84eAVXjtPCqy_RlSOVgEx0IJWcYCcFOhnEzIfaqzbHQ9w5bmpCmV6_zw8iWxag4/s1600/WD-Blog7-6268.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624667090724137682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt38m1FVMjztgFn3yczTGpk4y-iLYt3rBh5CCVaZ_swqP8VwY70u1q5pS-DbPZD1F-0n3JrjLo6Ri84eAVXjtPCqy_RlSOVgEx0IJWcYCcFOhnEzIfaqzbHQ9w5bmpCmV6_zw8iWxag4/s320/WD-Blog7-6268.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">The pack of dholes launches a joint attack by giving painful bites and pulling out lumps of flesh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Death comes to chital by shock, exhaustion and loss of blood.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wfZTCmfc2AWaDGmT3qntMIlV8dExbImHBqZRQKZjybbNedBf0Lyj64U8gyjd7GIb_VgfYEMG8o-OU-DqLrleFxYQ5CBCox79OWiJpvtzefEbaOQc5ZQMH60sT-Qvl2gNTiK4Bbs6a6U/s1600/WD-Blog9-6394.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624668063752427330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wfZTCmfc2AWaDGmT3qntMIlV8dExbImHBqZRQKZjybbNedBf0Lyj64U8gyjd7GIb_VgfYEMG8o-OU-DqLrleFxYQ5CBCox79OWiJpvtzefEbaOQc5ZQMH60sT-Qvl2gNTiK4Bbs6a6U/s320/WD-Blog9-6394.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> All 14 members pack unite and begin to feast on the deer. The series of images tell you the fate of the chital. Unfortunate but a true story that clearly narrates “Life in the Wild” Finally one of the puppies from the pack also manages to get his share of the kill in the form of large piece of shoulder.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukEAQDa1XuuJVJoyM5DnYGtVCwjTj8Ve_FUGdLwkR2xJpmnnoeAfLxin9KA-aPAH2-hVnD7JewR8g1SYroPHDQhP-Kjk7ZUcC9oZ1kcotFUAiiepGO2ewyq3bRfcS2WwMFuzR3JacpuU/s1600/WD-Blog10-6438.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624668672247016946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukEAQDa1XuuJVJoyM5DnYGtVCwjTj8Ve_FUGdLwkR2xJpmnnoeAfLxin9KA-aPAH2-hVnD7JewR8g1SYroPHDQhP-Kjk7ZUcC9oZ1kcotFUAiiepGO2ewyq3bRfcS2WwMFuzR3JacpuU/s320/WD-Blog10-6438.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">This is other side of “Mother Nature” – in order for one has to live the other has to die. This was the most amazing moments of my life, Raw Nature at its best.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">p.s. Considering this as the most rare Natural History Moment in the wild. This photo story has been published in several leading wildlife magazines like Saevus Wildlife India LLP, India Travelogue and many more. And the image #8 won several awards in 2012 that includes "Finalist" at BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012, Winner in Predators Contest organized by SAEVUS, "Special Mentions" at Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012, Raju Harkare Memorial National Level Wildlife Photography & Exhibition 2012 to name a few.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-41906043368695514892011-06-18T18:48:00.017+05:302011-07-05T23:58:46.822+05:30The Handsome Male of Bandipur!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMP8Et9B376XHNTYG9_Zn59ddjbu-4p004cFMH2Nvwoot8Q_W3zg5uL7MLHhCGDtY9QbLpFeh6JmF6WUYARr-MoAzq-9PgnLb5NOCkIFuLdNgIo-IWqDPg3fUhYDfiqioz_b9MRAScmo/s1600/Barking-Deer1-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMP8Et9B376XHNTYG9_Zn59ddjbu-4p004cFMH2Nvwoot8Q_W3zg5uL7MLHhCGDtY9QbLpFeh6JmF6WUYARr-MoAzq-9PgnLb5NOCkIFuLdNgIo-IWqDPg3fUhYDfiqioz_b9MRAScmo/s320/Barking-Deer1-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625933685987357026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">It was the 20th August 2010, a peak monsoon season in south India. During this time sightings are normally dull & it is believed that the wildlife makes its appearance when you least expect, not sure how true this can be. I was all geared up to take up the morning safari ride, I had Kiran as my driver. I was checking and making sure if I had carried all my accessories related to my camera equipments. It has happened with many of us that we realize in the middle of the forest that the battery is running out and there’s no spare one or probably the memory card is full. I ensured that everything was intact, so we were all set to drive into the forest of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Fortunately there was only a light drizzle, the light also seemed fine. As I boarded the jeep I asked Kiran to drive towards Mulapura area, I remember once I and my cousin Jaideep Siddannavar had sighted a tiger in Mulapur water hole but it was just a glimpse, as soon as it heard our jeep it disappeared in the undergrowth, so it was a big miss.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAne6URy6Lnol-VevQkKIot0bIXxLPkPDz5BaosaJwQIzkuzkpqRytxdF9b5sQGCEgp7a7UYrZmXOD9ZuEjYdF1fEIbKzk5CebnAXFvSxw0biBsz7Y3e7qnO73IoQc22BvP7iW9soeY8w/s1600/Barking-Deer2-5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAne6URy6Lnol-VevQkKIot0bIXxLPkPDz5BaosaJwQIzkuzkpqRytxdF9b5sQGCEgp7a7UYrZmXOD9ZuEjYdF1fEIbKzk5CebnAXFvSxw0biBsz7Y3e7qnO73IoQc22BvP7iW9soeY8w/s320/Barking-Deer2-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625933183336187522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11pt;">Our drive continued & we passed through the famous surle-katte that is lucky for me as I have sighted leopards on several occasions. I remember earlier this year I had spotted 2 leopards in courtship mood, unfortunately the leopard couple was too far and I only managed few records shots. It is a nice feeling to remember the sightings that had happened in this area. As we drove past this area I spotted a Muntjac (Barking Deer), this a shy animal and luckily he was grazing in the open at a distance. I asked kiran to stop and switch off the engine, fortunately the barking deer didn't notice us.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;"> I quickly took this opportunity to photograph him, after couple of minutes the deer realized our presence so he turned towards me and I clicked another shot. I love these images simply because of the habitat, lovely lush green grass & the wild colorful lantana flowers. A perfect setting to shoot any animal.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">It was about 7am we were about to reach the Mulapura water hole & were driving past through a dense bamboo tree on our right.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1DYTfT-2rLjsQxYOylGyXEZbVtMSdQIB4_c-96ncgxa6klrizSn8VEsVxZQAx9TSBI-2-9Ff4sh2On4wxoxrpPd9ijaK6_488MGI_QypxeTSQ2mDVIyT0l4IwfOVH_WO2C4ZZrH_-TU/s1600/Handsome-tiger6-2005.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1DYTfT-2rLjsQxYOylGyXEZbVtMSdQIB4_c-96ncgxa6klrizSn8VEsVxZQAx9TSBI-2-9Ff4sh2On4wxoxrpPd9ijaK6_488MGI_QypxeTSQ2mDVIyT0l4IwfOVH_WO2C4ZZrH_-TU/s320/Handsome-tiger6-2005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625936384505999170" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">I suddenly whispered see Tiger!, everyone in the jeep were like where… where. Look there near the water hole. No one could easily spot it as only the head of the tiger was visible through long grass.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmQG5ZQNKAcgWjDMMWLglrsJM5CZUH3yGyVUAH1pmHFnohRey3dTRnAzBuziJq_W_r79haUf8IKSI-DMLoFQehlwUpRklj2coP-kj5SQ2hVT8J48sCaV1hmgyYDm7b43zZ8oLqSAFNaQ/s1600/Handsome-tiger5-19.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmQG5ZQNKAcgWjDMMWLglrsJM5CZUH3yGyVUAH1pmHFnohRey3dTRnAzBuziJq_W_r79haUf8IKSI-DMLoFQehlwUpRklj2coP-kj5SQ2hVT8J48sCaV1hmgyYDm7b43zZ8oLqSAFNaQ/s320/Handsome-tiger5-19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625930706470114498" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskRq9lpeVjgW2HDAgdaFaPYV_SmelpKjeim_-6AwLTOuS_0Z6s710WG_D-KNrO-XtXxWSczbVXvKsGC-qB2ySU6rlIl8LK1SEMi3ww3gWNZ3rNBtIft6jY0YXaAV-p7FC6udzRMHiZac/s1600/Ram1-2005.jpg"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjnbRFEwVylQVggXuxyQAIKBeJbSLi2T9j2C9L4eBQxZwFRBUPM3SDY8wQgasmzwPlWVeVXzm_UqsLGS0G8AyMqaTBb_Oda8eDpiLA6me5XGFRyeZICx_k5myOyQ_EBU_118bexdlRTg/s1600/Handsome-tiger4-1980.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjnbRFEwVylQVggXuxyQAIKBeJbSLi2T9j2C9L4eBQxZwFRBUPM3SDY8wQgasmzwPlWVeVXzm_UqsLGS0G8AyMqaTBb_Oda8eDpiLA6me5XGFRyeZICx_k5myOyQ_EBU_118bexdlRTg/s320/Handsome-tiger4-1980.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625931603824416098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Wow! I couldn’t believe my luck, tigers are so elusive & getting one in the open is a rare moment. I immediately asked Kiran to switch off the engine as the jeep would roll over some distance in neutral gear & also this time I didn’t want the tiger to disappear with the noise of our jeep. The tiger was cooling off itself in a muddy pond, now all of them in our jeep spotted it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EVkvRnPz-pDerksCt6h9AndJ5xCuAVTodJE63JgpjJSwz5IMrfvvkgVV2K-3gY3rWeXPDiHqiuQ2kkvuLNZ9mfQDbcGc9hvPIS3dPY4L49r8WlW-rMP0IU5vis6t74uZvLagw2KL974/s1600/Handsome-tiger2-2114.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EVkvRnPz-pDerksCt6h9AndJ5xCuAVTodJE63JgpjJSwz5IMrfvvkgVV2K-3gY3rWeXPDiHqiuQ2kkvuLNZ9mfQDbcGc9hvPIS3dPY4L49r8WlW-rMP0IU5vis6t74uZvLagw2KL974/s320/Handsome-tiger2-2114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625932478722186770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">One of the guests in our jeep was really emotional, the reasons for his emotions were that he has been visiting forest for past over 15 years, and after such long wait finally he sighted a tiger.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">The tiger’s 3/4th body was soaked in the murky water & he was almost dozing and hardly opened his eyes. To me photographing any animals without eye contact is worthless. The tiger looked at us once and started to doze again, I knew that it is a waiting game here and one needs to show lot of patience. Our persistence paid off & the tiger turned towards us & I grabbed the opportunity to take few shots. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The tiger probably had made a kill either early morning or the previous night & in such cases it is natural for the tiger to be exhausted and he has to cool off in water due to excess heat generated in the body.<br />After a while the tiger realized that he is being watched by us and I also noticed that he is being irritated with a group of flies sitting on his nose and forehead. Since the tiger had made a kill and some part of the meat was stuck on his face hence he was attacked by the flies.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Until now ours was the only jeep so there was no disturbance of other tourists else some general tourists make so much noise on not only seeing a tiger but keep chatting in the jeep as if they are in a public garden. I kept myself busy clicking the tiger images and suddenly I observed that the tiger was just about to yawn and I quickly changed my camera setting to burst mode.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-jewnysnxp00E7kT0Vsdoo_hWF0usiP9G10m_JZOaFn1fSlsRdvgVjisoJj659mk72g3FEA-R0XtYJrkV7APuhIvcA2epNCA9t-jK1pTjww37hDU3X2dCSe8sCIP1rEDo4GTv2XT_wU/s1600/Handsome-tiger3-46.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-jewnysnxp00E7kT0Vsdoo_hWF0usiP9G10m_JZOaFn1fSlsRdvgVjisoJj659mk72g3FEA-R0XtYJrkV7APuhIvcA2epNCA9t-jK1pTjww37hDU3X2dCSe8sCIP1rEDo4GTv2XT_wU/s320/Handsome-tiger3-46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625931897329798754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >The yawn began and it was quite a big one</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >, it is a treat to watch such a natural behavior in tigers. The tiger was quite far but I was glad that I got some decent shots. Another interesting observation in the tiger yawning image is that you will notice that the group of flies fly away as he yawns</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >. I continued to shoot more images,</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZfHQpjr_yxlOe9_PsRNvWAwI8g8S-bfNk-DhqXpGjoGO8wvpJs9Evy7W98WexB_gy9Tlkz8aAGsHo7JQMmBVWpTMIZGfF18r8F5AqS0EvMg3fi-MRM5OMviHzH17l1tyrhcdj1VIW2c/s1600/KF-2223.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZfHQpjr_yxlOe9_PsRNvWAwI8g8S-bfNk-DhqXpGjoGO8wvpJs9Evy7W98WexB_gy9Tlkz8aAGsHo7JQMmBVWpTMIZGfF18r8F5AqS0EvMg3fi-MRM5OMviHzH17l1tyrhcdj1VIW2c/s320/KF-2223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625935546058200978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > and suddenly my attention was diverted towards a White Breasted Kingfisher on our right. I loved the way this kingfisher was perched in the open so I managed few images of her.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >After about 15 mins the tiger decided that he had enough of mud bath so he got up & headed towards the dense area. I was happy clicking few more shots and later the tiger disappeared in the bushes.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9i7puMKzpS4VE-C_QzyKadIBPSAyWp_zR0cthRjHHL7Usq6TaQ_ZodS03GD0BH6Cx7xtOclKy3E0yiw2mntZBrSwQDIXDTOzp4EZSudpj7HXgHERrWF1wEuygxs_KVbIeerVJIopqZ8/s1600/Handsome-tiger1-77.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9i7puMKzpS4VE-C_QzyKadIBPSAyWp_zR0cthRjHHL7Usq6TaQ_ZodS03GD0BH6Cx7xtOclKy3E0yiw2mntZBrSwQDIXDTOzp4EZSudpj7HXgHERrWF1wEuygxs_KVbIeerVJIopqZ8/s320/Handsome-tiger1-77.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625932890346913426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" ><br /></span>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-30900645904029664672011-06-18T13:39:00.008+05:302011-07-13T23:12:43.554+05:30The World in Her Stride!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizp8dlH-WUlBVy4kliMd1Lso5EWmStSUHjZtav3froTyOJ8xwInonYzYJ5apk2IvElGOPcmZP1wDnuHqsSqMpZkB7SKKtkkifQOcfowNmuTH8-I3UsP0UViXjU0dk8bsi_aSaKk1QIWE/s1600/Gowri-Blog5-3130.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizp8dlH-WUlBVy4kliMd1Lso5EWmStSUHjZtav3froTyOJ8xwInonYzYJ5apk2IvElGOPcmZP1wDnuHqsSqMpZkB7SKKtkkifQOcfowNmuTH8-I3UsP0UViXjU0dk8bsi_aSaKk1QIWE/s320/Gowri-Blog5-3130.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625909892423938258" border="0" /></a><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >A day that I will never forget, a moment that will be cherished until my last breath. Many of us have seen tigers in the wild, but I had completely a different experience on 21st Aug'2010. I was put at Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Bandipur. I was excited to hear about a kill made by a tiger around the Kadamattur Katte area.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >My evening safari ride had begun and this time I didn’t have to tell anything to my driver kiran, he had already made plans to go in search of this tiger around the area where it made the kill. We started quite early at 3:45pm, it had rained heavily on the previous day and the forest was flooded but it looked so beautiful with lush green leaves on trees and lantana had its colorful flowers. We drove around the KM Katte area several times, no sign of, leave aside the tiger we didn’t even spot any other animals except for few spotted deers.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >With cloud cover and drizzle all through our journey we reached the anti-poaching camp at about 5:30pm, the forest guard over there said he didn’t see any tiger for past few days nor did he hear any alarm calls. But we had confirmed information about the kill, normally if a tiger makes a kill its movement is around the same area & in this case the tiger killed a Gaur, gaurs are huge weigh over 1000kgs and the tiger can't consume this for several weeks and it has been recorded that even an adult tiger will not be able to consume even 50% of the Gaur meat.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3iq4sWebajdZsXp6xmVYvj1-MKR7XaI_kFEfBj4wMa6U7KxQSOHtyKoplvSZCxD-eKZFSJptBVvQ-xWxfFctXN3Ty9hmfx2PbVeZFOXXec2_NKDECk8kW-SfkW-Mgf62-alj5J8pCg/s1600/Gowri-Blog1-3105.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3iq4sWebajdZsXp6xmVYvj1-MKR7XaI_kFEfBj4wMa6U7KxQSOHtyKoplvSZCxD-eKZFSJptBVvQ-xWxfFctXN3Ty9hmfx2PbVeZFOXXec2_NKDECk8kW-SfkW-Mgf62-alj5J8pCg/s320/Gowri-Blog1-3105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625907601354680498" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >In our jeep we also had a family that were from Bangalore & it was their first trip to Bandipur, they seemed quite frustrated not that we didn’t see a tiger but no sighting of any animals. However I shared few of my experiences on Bandipur and kept their moral high. It was almost 6pm the light was fading and the park gates were about to close so we started heading back to the exit gate, I and Kiran said let’s take one last chance & take the route of Kadamattur Katte. </span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >The track was very narrow with thick bushes on both sides especially </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKphhGlNobLmzcM7osqV_FWqJZpFtUlQc1r5k-IBE7_W0eFW1QsinnxsHVeV4ABhKUIB3FjfCJR2UbSqI5tFyhBTQzXJW6NbKJSy5vxUTrYcyA_Y6Ry6khvd8L-AIxAmy8VBjjwrDh9oA/s1600/Gowri-Blog2-3115.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKphhGlNobLmzcM7osqV_FWqJZpFtUlQc1r5k-IBE7_W0eFW1QsinnxsHVeV4ABhKUIB3FjfCJR2UbSqI5tFyhBTQzXJW6NbKJSy5vxUTrYcyA_Y6Ry6khvd8L-AIxAmy8VBjjwrDh9oA/s320/Gowri-Blog2-3115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625908325049797778" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >with the lantana.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >I was in the front seat along with kiran and suddenly at distance we saw a tiger that took a huge leap from our left to right, it was so quick that others didn’t even </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY_ZQMdk1OLJYTYnVIDOcqmVnF9oTEBRo-WYqmPafVhyFVdcIudbd9ZgwJmkFOjFcxzhG5ot1LGjekrBji8Q4Fy6l6bb6jK8rUXHL-rTD5HrmAEOYZT-wPy4JQdO0J_uDaDBKWcieNmo/s1600/Gowri-Blog3-3120.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY_ZQMdk1OLJYTYnVIDOcqmVnF9oTEBRo-WYqmPafVhyFVdcIudbd9ZgwJmkFOjFcxzhG5ot1LGjekrBji8Q4Fy6l6bb6jK8rUXHL-rTD5HrmAEOYZT-wPy4JQdO0J_uDaDBKWcieNmo/s320/Gowri-Blog3-3120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625908752320149698" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >notice and could not believe us. </span><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >I asked kiran to stop the jeep and switch off the engine; the langurs on the tree noticed the tiger in the bush and gave alarms calls. By now we could just see part of the tiger’s body and head in the bush. I noticed that it was staring at us and I quickly realized that the tiger didn’t have a passage to go into the bushes because of the thick lantana.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfXklT_muJyICpVsFpqsrQONjVLZ9ffC3fhxBiDXR2GNGXj5SclTB8NQ0DREWCZZ72-3uITeNCyxcsfJK7eGxbKxqvlQvvWNZTCdSbSLp2rPyi_QqcY77j5DXGPXfys4BG958tAqpuc0/s1600/Gowri-Blog6-3129.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfXklT_muJyICpVsFpqsrQONjVLZ9ffC3fhxBiDXR2GNGXj5SclTB8NQ0DREWCZZ72-3uITeNCyxcsfJK7eGxbKxqvlQvvWNZTCdSbSLp2rPyi_QqcY77j5DXGPXfys4BG958tAqpuc0/s320/Gowri-Blog6-3129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625910950680720978" border="0" /></a><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >I asked kiran to reverse the jeep a bit, with the hope that tiger will come out. I guessed it rightly & couldn’t believe that the tiger was just about to come out of the bush. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to photograph but my position/angle was not ideal I was in front seat with no opening above me and photographing through the wind shield glass was the last thing I wanted.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >I requested kiran to reverse a jeep a bit more and park it in an angle such that I am able to shoot from my windown with bean bag support, he did it to perfection. I was all set &<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the tiger started to move out and I was in direct eye contact with the tiger, I was nervous but kept the focus points on the tigers eye/head area and started to shoot in burst mode.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > Due to low light my shutter speed was hardly 1/50 sec and I had no time to change the settings, I continued to shoot. The tiger was staring at me & continued to walk slowly towards me I didn’t move and kept clicking. What a moment it was, call it face to face or head-on, the distance between me and the tiger was <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>less than 50 feet, the family that were seated in the jeep were so scared that they closed the windows and in the excitement they didn’t click a single image.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >As the tiger got even closer, the group seated at the rear screamed. From a sudden silence there was so much noise that the tiger that was heading towards our jeep changed its direction and walked on our right side again in the bush. It didn’t have any other way so it was patiently waiting in the bush. The time was almost 6:30pm and normally the forest officials starting closing the exit gates. So we had to leave the tiger in the bush and move on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKY_vlUW3Kqaa91BTyaqcqhpG-fE9O07-AxUgoX20dKspH9mx-dpu56ABEnqeG-PaD2C3BGLYR7qaEBXqyX9uYA7oAtlW_1HcR66bk8PtgwQHzrAW6EJcQU-JJWFxxYzD0a-qlJdCWqao/s1600/Gowri-Blog4-3129.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKY_vlUW3Kqaa91BTyaqcqhpG-fE9O07-AxUgoX20dKspH9mx-dpu56ABEnqeG-PaD2C3BGLYR7qaEBXqyX9uYA7oAtlW_1HcR66bk8PtgwQHzrAW6EJcQU-JJWFxxYzD0a-qlJdCWqao/s320/Gowri-Blog4-3129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625909528785926434" border="0" /></a><span style=" Trebuchet MS";font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >Friends believe me it is a lifetime opportunity for me to face a tiger so close & head-on. By far this was one of my best ever moment that I ever had; I felt I had complete control on the tiger movements & felt I was on top of the world. Even now as I am narrating this incident my hands are shivering, I can’t believe that I could face a tiger so close. A dream come true and surely some dream shots.<br /></span></p><span style="Trebuchet MS"font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" ><br /></span>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-36560009499784648612011-06-18T12:54:00.020+05:302011-07-13T10:21:47.902+05:30Magical Kabini - Born Climbers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HMlrKfddynQ3dLVQY9R9T_VN_zLAjYSEygdGXlwfSDWuEEZUFKr1NE8kZI-aZUwzPAcdG9XupyxlwSWqf9a2nQxezAd291pi9HQB89BvwIX9IiG4Ywue5cUAf3mmTUPvRbTR3RYkYsk/s1600/M-Leepy1-7327.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HMlrKfddynQ3dLVQY9R9T_VN_zLAjYSEygdGXlwfSDWuEEZUFKr1NE8kZI-aZUwzPAcdG9XupyxlwSWqf9a2nQxezAd291pi9HQB89BvwIX9IiG4Ywue5cUAf3mmTUPvRbTR3RYkYsk/s320/M-Leepy1-7327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625188720005283666" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It is always a pleasure watching any animal with cubs, and when the subject is Leopard it goes right on top. For past few days’ news amongst the wild life photographers in Bangalore spread that a Leopard was seen with its cub at Kabini (Nagarhole Forest) and was seen on two occasions. Leopards are the most elusive cats in the wild and hard to spot. I had never seen a Leopard with its cub despite visiting forests for so many years. On 13<sup>th</sup> April 2011, I along with few friends visited Jungle Lodges and Resorts,Kabini.</span><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzHlK-E-QbijeWNZy8iaPXSGboNoh-Uts3Ls6AsOBuOHbggto_ThglAgTc1mrJHsuqgi1TK6IH3OKBfaO9TyjIKynAMHhhhyphenhyphenIq0xWYvNNr3yk0rABT5noFDqNsxLZlaw8Pm-cTreX_E0/s1600/Mother-Cub-7489.jpg"></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Our first safari ride in the evening was interesting; shivanand one of my favorite naturalist was with us. We sighted quite a few herds of elephants on the backwaters of Kabini River. The migration had begun and most of the elephants during this time migrate from Bandipur, Madumalai and Wayanad to Kabini. It was a treat to watch the elephants on the backwaters of river Kabini.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Honestly our interest was something else “The Leopard and her Cub”; shivanand did try most of the routes like the President road, Segur junction, Sunset Point, Niligiri Plantation & Mastigudi, where movement of the Leopard and her Cub was recorded, however we couldn’t track them. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We returned back to the resort and started discussing on are plans for next day’s morning safari. It was a misty morning; shivanand insisted that we try the sunset point on backwaters first as a tiger mating couple was spotted 2 days ago especially in the morning. We patiently waited at sunset point but no sight of any tigers, a powerful binocular was also used by shivanand to check every thicket on the backwaters but tiger didn’t make its appearance. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">At the backwaters a forest official vehicle zipped in and I was happy to meet with Mr.MN Jayakumar – Chief Conservative of Forests (CCF), he told me that a pack of 20 wild dogs was sighted on the sunkada katte main road. We decided we will take a chance and drove towards that direction however no sign of wild dogs at that location as well.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We were getting little edgy as time was running out,</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgngK8fG7rA0fiq_m295q7zHh3VsmMCMYWPjzd-wvCLVAFxDHkFNav8Ws5lKBfNA3SphfN3oM8vmCFeCQAs54tmoaqW46u2QAiV_juzQnVck2IN3KmZbnswqLX_fgU6BKstwO6AS4Fkw/s1600/White-Bellied-WP1-7278.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgngK8fG7rA0fiq_m295q7zHh3VsmMCMYWPjzd-wvCLVAFxDHkFNav8Ws5lKBfNA3SphfN3oM8vmCFeCQAs54tmoaqW46u2QAiV_juzQnVck2IN3KmZbnswqLX_fgU6BKstwO6AS4Fkw/s320/White-Bellied-WP1-7278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625190458623260130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> we spotted a White Bellied Woodpecker at a close range and we started taking few shots. In the meantime shivanand got call from Basil another naturalist from JUNGLE LODGES AND RESORTS that a large male tiger is walking towards backwaters. Without wasting any time we drove towards the backwaters, it would easily take us about 20 mins or more to reach the spot, driver Muddu accelerated since we had very less time. Basil again called and informed that the tiger is now soaked himself in the water so asked us to reach there ASAP. We were still 15 mins away from the sunset point where the tiger was spotted.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHeUbiwv2mi40BmweAERTrqsQiN46EVe12O71_XgqQ1jnCPQmo5e45BjCh5D9kFvRSsnuX1zZ8TH6RmzFJitTY83hPWqLTFb-g2uNxugTNt0OI7H-jvpXWElzlIND8WO97hQP_XDkhA8/s1600/M-Leepy2-7358.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHeUbiwv2mi40BmweAERTrqsQiN46EVe12O71_XgqQ1jnCPQmo5e45BjCh5D9kFvRSsnuX1zZ8TH6RmzFJitTY83hPWqLTFb-g2uNxugTNt0OI7H-jvpXWElzlIND8WO97hQP_XDkhA8/s320/M-Leepy2-7358.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625189050108978322" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">As we were about to reach Segur junction, we saw a leopard crossing our way at a distance. We were in two minds whether to stop and shoot from distance or go little closer that had risk of leopard disappearing in the bushes. I asked Muddu to drive a little further; it was not worth shooting from some 300 mts distance. To our surprise the leopard that was gradually walking towards the bushes stopped, and turned back looking for something. Shivanand immediately guessed that this is the Mother Leopard we were after and he confidently said that the Cub is somewhere around and will join her mom. There is no way that the mother leopard would leave her cub alone.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6XYUKw8aLVsYG0_xbxO3YQm_CFexR9ahL2WabeKjQUx1nanZL0A5lRU9pUQpTJ8ApbyKm14O4qxNffHQEzEoet2cUE9zNSnJuYS1nZkdjMT-6I7-zg9Lpau6y0U9Sly3F1Tm5xRVTpQ/s1600/M-C-Leppy1-7432.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6XYUKw8aLVsYG0_xbxO3YQm_CFexR9ahL2WabeKjQUx1nanZL0A5lRU9pUQpTJ8ApbyKm14O4qxNffHQEzEoet2cUE9zNSnJuYS1nZkdjMT-6I7-zg9Lpau6y0U9Sly3F1Tm5xRVTpQ/s320/M-C-Leppy1-7432.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625187186480691282" border="0" /></a></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Our excitement after seeing the mother was already high, I didn’t waste much time and started to shoot the mother leopard. Suddenly shivanand whispered sir the cub is hiding underneath the tree stump on our left, with so much excitement around, at first I couldn’t spot the cub, this was highly embarrassing</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">, but these things happen quite often when these beautiful cats are around. I could barely see the cub as it was lying in the dry grass and camouflaged but I fired few shots blindly and fortunately it was spot on</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">.</span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">On our right the mother leopard was patiently waiting and then she called her little one. In no time the cub sprinted as it heard mom’s call. I managed few record shot of the cub sprinting towards its mom. Wow! What feeling this was “A Dream Come True”? As the cub joined the mother both started walking towards the bushes, again shivanand whispered sir the leopard will climb the banyan tree that was few meters away, he was spot on, and both mother & cub climbed the banyan tree. At first they both hid behind the leaves, and then mother peeped out to check if we were still there.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIeLSNIN8fvYql9pfOtAYuymFsfUeSWQ56FklnJQ5FmGWjN9eOvZ1LGPbwsVwM_HorZolRGAMlV-jOsesSmgAbwCkhd5dokOuEwzah2Rb1gOfEN15E3GDl07Yljmc4T2kaP9Ksk54HO0/s1600/M-Leppy4-7627.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIeLSNIN8fvYql9pfOtAYuymFsfUeSWQ56FklnJQ5FmGWjN9eOvZ1LGPbwsVwM_HorZolRGAMlV-jOsesSmgAbwCkhd5dokOuEwzah2Rb1gOfEN15E3GDl07Yljmc4T2kaP9Ksk54HO0/s320/M-Leppy4-7627.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625189743913199634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> Since she sensed no danger or threat to her and her little one, the action began.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcStHgAgtpH7I6tqWz2k3ztB-NECiFh_gc48MbQ_6hE2XKeLLKfBPtKmTw2f2dCLLtbKMHbkv_USIf8QdLSF9cPEGN52b3paSNySvkEc_BkMe02D76LOMD0tokmcjAV3KvVr3Kzvrb4k/s1600/M-C-Leppy3-7491.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcStHgAgtpH7I6tqWz2k3ztB-NECiFh_gc48MbQ_6hE2XKeLLKfBPtKmTw2f2dCLLtbKMHbkv_USIf8QdLSF9cPEGN52b3paSNySvkEc_BkMe02D76LOMD0tokmcjAV3KvVr3Kzvrb4k/s320/M-C-Leppy3-7491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625188324563717330" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> The cub had license to move around, in no time the cub was in playful mood by descending and ascending the tree branches. This was excellent opportunity for us to record and document in form of photographs. </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoocfKEHJJzksfC2r8pp6-qVPs0urD_ZBjFTXC9s7pKdAcRswGyDeyZeu8_yFuOj0YXGwKhwswj0OZ3l9PEM4FnfURzDwWhilhhWXBEm1YVrYdn7E1jxbK85dNRDXHYnJ-_WK7D4L-Rc/s1600/M-Leppy3-7602.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoocfKEHJJzksfC2r8pp6-qVPs0urD_ZBjFTXC9s7pKdAcRswGyDeyZeu8_yFuOj0YXGwKhwswj0OZ3l9PEM4FnfURzDwWhilhhWXBEm1YVrYdn7E1jxbK85dNRDXHYnJ-_WK7D4L-Rc/s320/M-Leppy3-7602.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625189391893587234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We also noticed that the mother was training the cub on climbing skills; I managed to take few shots of this behavior.</span></span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">We had completely forgotten about the tiger sighting at sunset point, Basil called again and this time he informed us that the tiger has moved from the backwaters and disappeared in the forest. We informed him about Leopard with Cub sighting and in no time 4-5 jeeps of JUNGLE LODGES AND RESORTS zipped in with so much noise & few tourists in other vehicles talking loudly both mom and cub hid behind the leaves and unfortunately the other vehicles didn’t get a clear view. Now that there was so much disturbance we decided to drive towards sunset point to take chance of the tiger, however there was no sign of the tiger so we returned back, it was laready 9:30am and we were already late to reach the exit gate. By now all jeeps had left, as we reached the segur junction same point where we spotted leopard and her cub. We again spotted mother and her cub on the same tree. since it was really late we had to leave the leopard and her cub and drive towards the exit gate, during this time I turned and looked back and saw that the mother leopard was still looking at us, this was really a touching moment and I felt we had built a close bond with these beautiful cats in a such a short time.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG2WsKZdlXUstP7hgZF2SelWjXaKkyQCdeDf4yLVBA2UwAi5H9Mw4qpUOI9pwIqnXj3mOPfjHV0MdnYrTmYow9W7R5zH_lavoy_fvr-uGiqWMTZCX5wZUa8kvO00kDrY69bj2_03i7UA/s1600/M-Leppy5-7702.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG2WsKZdlXUstP7hgZF2SelWjXaKkyQCdeDf4yLVBA2UwAi5H9Mw4qpUOI9pwIqnXj3mOPfjHV0MdnYrTmYow9W7R5zH_lavoy_fvr-uGiqWMTZCX5wZUa8kvO00kDrY69bj2_03i7UA/s320/M-Leppy5-7702.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625190089684851858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;">Friends this is one of the most beautiful moments and honestly a “Dream Come True & Dream Shot” for me. I had seen and photographed Leopards before, but not seen a Cub and God blessed me with this wonderful sighting & some worth sharing images. What a mother she is, you can’t image how difficult it is to bring up cubs especially in case of leopards that too in a Tiger country.</span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Info on Leopard Climbing Skills –</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Leopards</span><span style="font-size:100%;color:black;"> are the best tree <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">climbers</span> in the big cat family. They spend a lot of time in the trees relaxing, looking around, playing, and even eating and sleeping. Trees keep leopards safe from their enemies, including lions, tigers, hyenas, and wild dogs.<br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXtMASAS05HIvo4W1vGO_GJTjfgmxhlLLvxTtV6BNhtI5ohJNSMb_Huw1KekGPJMRgCxQlXGr4X3AL0y5trBrvCLhsv7ayb7QoKnETEFodY3ceoIADLKyG_yKsRYqOPE-fFj1V_ybxQU/s1600/M-C-Leppy2-7455.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXtMASAS05HIvo4W1vGO_GJTjfgmxhlLLvxTtV6BNhtI5ohJNSMb_Huw1KekGPJMRgCxQlXGr4X3AL0y5trBrvCLhsv7ayb7QoKnETEFodY3ceoIADLKyG_yKsRYqOPE-fFj1V_ybxQU/s320/M-C-Leppy2-7455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625187539130266546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:black;">A <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">leopard</span> cub starts to learn <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">tree-climbing</span> skills as early as three to four months old to avoid attacks from enemies. After making a kill, the leopard may eat at the site, drag the remains of the prey by the neck in its mouth, and pull it high up into a tree. The carcass is hung over the tree branches so the food will not be stolen by other animals. The leopard will eat the remains of the prey in the next few days. It is amazing that the leopard can drag a prey, which could weigh two to three times its own weight, high up in a tree.<br /><br />Sometimes, a leopard hunts prey from a tree by hiding in the tree branches and waits. When a prey passes by, the leopard drops on top of it. The leopard may hunt monkeys and baboons in trees. The long tail helps the leopard balance on the tree branches. The sharp claws make it easy for the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">leopard to climb</span> trees.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="times new roman"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;"> </span></span></p>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-55753628041550846972011-06-14T16:41:00.008+05:302011-07-13T10:15:50.409+05:30Window to a Stealth Predator!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEFAOKOkT34kpSqp8170mfx3QNpF0e4PIFE1DMWWwKGDR8ggeUn-hWrx1vpK-NqZL8u0zx0z_2LXbhyi7wA_ytxuZpyDdxNxJQuqUnTykmO05CQDO5Soaj54Gq_GhphlkQwg3Hi3_aJI/s1600/Bloody-leppy5-9103.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEFAOKOkT34kpSqp8170mfx3QNpF0e4PIFE1DMWWwKGDR8ggeUn-hWrx1vpK-NqZL8u0zx0z_2LXbhyi7wA_ytxuZpyDdxNxJQuqUnTykmO05CQDO5Soaj54Gq_GhphlkQwg3Hi3_aJI/s320/Bloody-leppy5-9103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625903216968361458" border="0" /></a>On 19th May’11 (Thursday) I got a call from my farm in Bandipur, the care taker Nagendra informed me that my German Sheppard Dog - Angel has littered 5 puppies, 3 males and 2 females. I am not a professional dog breeder and had no idea what to do next. I had no option than to call Anandhi our family friend who had gifted me Angel on my birthday and Angel was only 45 days old then (2nd Sept’2009).<br /><div><div><div><div><br />Upon speaking to Anandhi I got a long list of do’s and don’ts and list of medicines, tonics and multivitamins etc… I had no choice than to travel to Bandipur, for a change I was traveling with some work and not on the usual jungle safari trip. However on the next day (Friday) I had some important meetings to attend coupled with some personal engagements in the evening so the earliest I could leave Bangalore was Saturday morning.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aV_G7XnWJwdaAAJn6beVc_LkzzKNEoqKNxUwQDjAJpoCN52jf97ZXCpZnVG0sMROvPxFdE24UVdcKW_BAHGs9PjRg1QtjLUEaC1jeprYJb-odeAe7DIi1oErRck_IVSkcauHEXoTcDs/s1600/Angel-Puppies-9044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618035167074780658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aV_G7XnWJwdaAAJn6beVc_LkzzKNEoqKNxUwQDjAJpoCN52jf97ZXCpZnVG0sMROvPxFdE24UVdcKW_BAHGs9PjRg1QtjLUEaC1jeprYJb-odeAe7DIi1oErRck_IVSkcauHEXoTcDs/s320/Angel-Puppies-9044.jpg" border="0" /></a>On Saturday I reached the farm by 11:30am and was excited to see the puppies & Angel, fortunately all of them were doing well. The father – Prince (male dog) had no clue what was happening. I handed over the medicines and other stuff that was needed for Angel and her puppies to my care taker, since this was a last minute trip I didn’t get a room at Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR). I had no choice than to stay at farm & manage with basic facilities. I am ok with this as long as I get safari rides from JLR.<br /><br />I spoke to JLR & they were kind enough to accommodate me in one their jeeps of course at a cost. I was glad that despite having loads of guests due to summer vacation plus the normal weekend rush, they still agreed to accommodate me. I was waiting for my jeep, suddenly my friend Vinay and his wife Priya arrived at JLR. They had just returned after a week’s stay at Kabini and like me they too didn’t get accommodation at JLR, Bandipur. Hence they had made arrangements for their stay at Forest Hill Farms, Masinagudi ( Tamil Nadu) some 25 kms from Bandipur. Both Vinay and Priya seemed all over the place as their stay was at one end and safari rides with other resorts, but the Nature lovers don’t mind all this as long as they get safari rides. I and Vinay agreed to be in touch via phone & SMS during the jungle safaris, thanks to Airtel that we get signals at some places if not the entire forest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_VFdQPmThsLOReUiVnPtqkeCs4-7Z1V40nJkoCHjlgR5hVL2_93W9C1rqbdsYmOf2Um2kAJVB4_wnHDJCuxvWhlX7KAOFOZ1aXeRHiMhtoGWdtAC5QQxfc4oV54Gp32vC2gP5IXg-GQ/s1600/Bloody-leppy1-9063.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_VFdQPmThsLOReUiVnPtqkeCs4-7Z1V40nJkoCHjlgR5hVL2_93W9C1rqbdsYmOf2Um2kAJVB4_wnHDJCuxvWhlX7KAOFOZ1aXeRHiMhtoGWdtAC5QQxfc4oV54Gp32vC2gP5IXg-GQ/s320/Bloody-leppy1-9063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625899629067898290" border="0" /></a>Vinay and Priya are regular visitors to Kabini and have the best collections of Leopard images, by far the best ones in India. They wanted to add few leopards from Bandipur to their kitty.<br /></div>Due to some unavoidable reasons my jeep left late almost 4:45pm, normally I am inside the forest before 4pm. I had Basavanna, Senior Naturalist who was driving the jeep & as usual I took the front seat. Upon asking Basavanna about sightings he said Sir nothing much for past few days, except that a leopard couple (M/F), probably a mating pair had made a kill & was sighted a day before. And surprisingly the leopard had killed a calf of a Gaur (Bison) and it was unable to carry the kill up the tree. I can imagine the even calf of a gaur can easily be 3 times the weight of the leopard.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGYFUuJC0FWHC28vzyi1quVkDgw-Ak70LqxeVQKXvDQg1Xl-vD2EGZckpqDpVM9g3k6X7hi870SjXrpyiw3A1KW_WaX2qDYMJJ-VX7P3RyzcJXCl6N300SITjKwhCYByf8lCksVlCOa8/s1600/Bloody-leppy2-9079.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGYFUuJC0FWHC28vzyi1quVkDgw-Ak70LqxeVQKXvDQg1Xl-vD2EGZckpqDpVM9g3k6X7hi870SjXrpyiw3A1KW_WaX2qDYMJJ-VX7P3RyzcJXCl6N300SITjKwhCYByf8lCksVlCOa8/s320/Bloody-leppy2-9079.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625900818572292258" border="0" /></a>As we entered the forest we took the Kare Gowderana Katte road, Basavanna was about to turn right, the route leading to a small water hole. While he was turning suddenly he whispered “Sir Leopard” where I asked him, he replied Sir on the tree. Which tree Basavanna???<br />Sometimes it is very embarrassing while sighting of Tigers and Leopards, despite them being so close one fails to spot them due to excitement. The guest at the rear had no clue about this, in the meantime I saw it and then we informed them about it and requested everyone to stay calm. Hats off to Basavanna for spotting this beauty, can you believe that this Leopard was fast asleep on the tree when I saw it. Interestingly we had so many jeeps pass by the same route and all of them went unnoticed of this leopard.<br /><br />I quickly made some images of the leopard; it was quite close especially for my 500mm lens hence couldn’t get the leopard in full. As soon the leopard heard noise of our jeep he woke up to check of any threat, by now we got to know that this was the male leopard and also it was the same male that had made a kill. The evidence was the blood stains on the face and whiskers of this leopard. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFzQrvp0RKJmQvlQ1tb1e3caUHhQhhFkj5ctGmMcXeLpRbtXpf0LdVYHGm8T2SWZr0coc0AaCNrd81SRpF8WOKzVhqBJYYxMTuibyOToJ-dRdj7NVf5Ld6JKTiKHWAmeL1EmoME1w1bs/s1600/Bloody-leppy3-9085.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFzQrvp0RKJmQvlQ1tb1e3caUHhQhhFkj5ctGmMcXeLpRbtXpf0LdVYHGm8T2SWZr0coc0AaCNrd81SRpF8WOKzVhqBJYYxMTuibyOToJ-dRdj7NVf5Ld6JKTiKHWAmeL1EmoME1w1bs/s320/Bloody-leppy3-9085.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625902511704664370" border="0" /></a>In the meantime I asked Basavanna to call my friend Vinay, he couldn’t reach him. Then I quickly sent him an SMS about the sighting with exact location and fortunately Vinay responded that he is coming. By now few other jeeps saw us & guessed that we had spotted something and drove quickly towards us, leopards are the most shy cats, in no time the leopard decided that he had enough all this non sense so he got down from the tree and disappeared in the under growth. </div><br />Vinay and Priya reached the spot, but they missed this sighting, we all tried to track the leopard again but couldn’t find him. Later we split our routes for spotting other predators and about 6:15pm while returning I asked Basavanna to take us to the same location where we sighted the leopard. Believe me the same leopard was again resting on a tree and this time much closer to the game track. This time he was more active and in a fraction of a second he jumped of the tree and disappeared. I couldn’t get any photographs this time, as the leopard was really quick.<br /><div><br />Vinay’s jeep too drove here and missed it again; this is what happens to most of us many a times, missing such sightings by whiskers. The next day Sunday morning we again had very good leopard sighting and this time it was the female leopard, but luck wasn’t with Vinay/Priya, they missed even this by whiskers.<br /><br />When Vinay missed it for the 3rd time, I was wondering & couldn’t believe that how can the luckiest man of leopards be so unlucky today? I said to myself that maybe God has something special for him.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rp1KrcqNnva95vEK83D1pyQruHANRsakWnWHPyFdACTfFiktJ961VcYuMVKy9xfHt6Mu0buQmr-2nErZPF7-fk6T66DVloNp6hzJBjVl9IG73uqP2hKrhbq9B472jgooT_ApZDfFqsk/s1600/Vinay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Rp1KrcqNnva95vEK83D1pyQruHANRsakWnWHPyFdACTfFiktJ961VcYuMVKy9xfHt6Mu0buQmr-2nErZPF7-fk6T66DVloNp6hzJBjVl9IG73uqP2hKrhbq9B472jgooT_ApZDfFqsk/s320/Vinay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628693460407320002" border="0" /></a>Vinay and Priya didn’t give up, I had to return to Bangalore so I headed back by 11am. Vinay decided that he will have one more go at the evening safari and return late night to Bangalore. God really had something special for Vinay and Priya, during the evening safari they not only spotted the male leopard, but were blessed to see and photograph the male leopard carrying the kill that is the calf of the Gaur.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182141727177345180.post-76757531376038492582011-06-14T00:13:00.003+05:302013-09-21T14:31:14.171+05:30A Lazy Leopard on Sunday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmJJqjtR4UzKwJmNH-ptJSUyuuqumwLsLakgTG07J6tuwDiN_dGIYKGEwKrQV4Zw0yPT5r6601rjYqU-qTCX_yb8mM3FGHVO0BQwHQ-nGg_BXB1WRfUDTM3NDm6Le1saJte0OHzqy0NU/s1600/Lazy-leppy5-9420.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625880012353006194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmJJqjtR4UzKwJmNH-ptJSUyuuqumwLsLakgTG07J6tuwDiN_dGIYKGEwKrQV4Zw0yPT5r6601rjYqU-qTCX_yb8mM3FGHVO0BQwHQ-nGg_BXB1WRfUDTM3NDm6Le1saJte0OHzqy0NU/s320/Lazy-leppy5-9420.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">Another day in the forests of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka State, India. It was Sunday morning during the peak summers and I was on my usual game. We had Basavanna - Senior Naturalist of JLR with us, having heard about a kill made by a huge male leopard. I was keen to spot it and capture in my camera. However despite so much efforts we couldn’t track this cat. During our I was inquiring with Basavanna about tiger sightings he replied it was very dull for past few weeks, so it was pointless to make any attempt to go after tigers.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">We approached the minister gutthi road and suddenly heard a langur (black faced monkey) alarm call. We stopped the jeep and were looking around in all directions; I and Basavanna kept a keen watch on every tree, the alarm calls went on quite loud and this time not by one langur but by a group of at least 5-6. The excitement began, we were quite sure that a predator more likely a leopard is around. The minister guthi route is surrounded by dense trees, and it was making all the more difficult for us to spot and then after a while we spotted the leopard on a tree, it wasn’t so easy to see it clearly as the leopard was resting on a tree branch in a dense area covered by leaves. It was a female leopard this time, she was sort of disturbed not by our presence but mainly by the langur alarm calls. She woke up and first thing she did was to stretch her body, typical a lazy stretch that we do on a Sunday morning</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Kc1ng-aHCEhHWUcc_QYuuLZNpMoj3WmqUrBB_xqUpaxCPPaL374YT0u9f3JiYN6Drvf_kgPa7RwRMqVePibGDQUJY5FhhFpT8CLdg1dm5yl-OXJRloVhQqZX6WIJokXWlRaE3jPOeE8/s1600/Lazy-leppy2-9553.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625878470777203778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Kc1ng-aHCEhHWUcc_QYuuLZNpMoj3WmqUrBB_xqUpaxCPPaL374YT0u9f3JiYN6Drvf_kgPa7RwRMqVePibGDQUJY5FhhFpT8CLdg1dm5yl-OXJRloVhQqZX6WIJokXWlRaE3jPOeE8/s320/Lazy-leppy2-9553.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 213px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">And the next moves were even more interesting, just not the lazy stretch but like humans she closed her eyes due direct sun rays falling on her. As the langurs noticed that the leopard is showing signs of been active, the alarm calls went even louder. The 3rd action that I noticed and documented was the leopard clearly showing that she was annoyed with the langurs, so she gave a wearied stare at them, I was fortunate to capture these beautiful moments. Since the sunlight was falling on her face, the eyes were actually shining. And boy, look at those whiskers and eyes; just loving every bit of those special moments. I haven't actually seen such long whiskers of leopard/</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0L5sgTWm9QHsIQCy8Xb21HCdgJRd3Wmrw_VJalwYe77ht_DnrrDPE2gUqqC3BsRPzSi3x5xIORKv3A2E2vHunYvDS3ovyvcC-03eN-JEbQI4PGltG4Ctt6KJ0dBYjwKXYhbfefNoWy0/s1600/Lazy-leppy1-9558.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625877614761278402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0L5sgTWm9QHsIQCy8Xb21HCdgJRd3Wmrw_VJalwYe77ht_DnrrDPE2gUqqC3BsRPzSi3x5xIORKv3A2E2vHunYvDS3ovyvcC-03eN-JEbQI4PGltG4Ctt6KJ0dBYjwKXYhbfefNoWy0/s320/Lazy-leppy1-9558.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 214px;" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">We spotted the leopard on my right, so my position wasn’t that great to shoot. So I actually had to place my bean bag on the roof top of the jeep, balance on the foot rest of the door and shoot. Not at all a comfortable position, but when you have such a beauty in front these things don’t matter much. One needs to keep in mind to change the position of the jeep as required, here we didn’t do it because there was risk of leopard shying away and disappearing into the bushes.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Since the leopard got up from her resting position the langurs panicked even more and now they were not only giving alarm calls but were seeing jumping from one branch to the other, typical monkey’ing all over.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">This is quite obvious; at times leopards are so quick and are quite capable of killing the langurs on a tree. And of course we have records of such kills both at Bandipur and Kabini.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EI6e12IV81QC4IGJ6X0c7pyDeZOG3g1rX7ERKGP5I6yU3JlDKOGLG8rN0yoYAODb_0z7hFkPzJEbyQVN5nqQYT8_RYNAr1Cs3hvZhB4bbfn3RMBw32dS7sCVcxVk3Wjb-zTgvzbyBCY/s1600/Lazy-leppy3-9494.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625879553991404146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EI6e12IV81QC4IGJ6X0c7pyDeZOG3g1rX7ERKGP5I6yU3JlDKOGLG8rN0yoYAODb_0z7hFkPzJEbyQVN5nqQYT8_RYNAr1Cs3hvZhB4bbfn3RMBw32dS7sCVcxVk3Wjb-zTgvzbyBCY/s320/Lazy-leppy3-9494.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 214px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzkFL4cs61-fneonDXK2wNUEf_YHIMBAflFPc5dnrltl_GmxzH7kDT5gaZsSyCeiLm9JsbC-zaavR8e-gJoA6nu65VZi7JrNuFDoIe6JOMGQbXjz5GJovr4c_LJeJ0R5rgxT7FvoTUFA/s1600/Lazy-leppy6-9511.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625881114052084930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzkFL4cs61-fneonDXK2wNUEf_YHIMBAflFPc5dnrltl_GmxzH7kDT5gaZsSyCeiLm9JsbC-zaavR8e-gJoA6nu65VZi7JrNuFDoIe6JOMGQbXjz5GJovr4c_LJeJ0R5rgxT7FvoTUFA/s320/Lazy-leppy6-9511.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">I captured some annoying moments of this leopards that can be seen in images. The alarm calls never stopped, it went on and on, the leopard had enough of this non-sense on a Sunday morning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 100%;"> So she decided to climb down the tree and disappeared into the bushes. While she was descending the I tried to click few images unfortunately the images got under exposed.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
Praveen Siddannavarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07682585991221417319noreply@blogger.com3