Bandipur: Sighting leopards

Our visit to Bandipur was on 28-29 May 2011. It was a year since our last JLR trip and we were very eager. We were thirteen of us and as usual, took a force traveler. I was quite excited as I had a new SLR camera with me as compared to the Coolpix that I had before. To meet that, it also happened to be the best trip in terms of wild life sighting.

Bandipur JLR is in an open space, and the cottages are modern. In the afternoon, I enjoyed photography in the gardens around the lodge. At 4 pm, we were taken for safari by jeeps. This required coming out and entering the conserved forest by public road. The drive had tamed elephants, many spotted deer and Grey Langur monkeys. Once we entered the forest, the sightings increased and we saw big herds of Gaurs, stags and many birds.  We could also see a leopard cross our path in full view, but could not take the picture as we were stunned by the sudden appearance of it. After some time once again we had the monkeys and deer acting in panic and could see one more leopard hiding behind the bushes looking at us. This time I could take a picture of its face, though not very clear. We also saw the carcass of a big Gaur that was killed possibly by a tiger.

Langurs

Stag

Spotted deer running away from Leopard

Gaur's carcass

Leopard peeping from the bush

Panicky Langur

Sighting the leopard was the main subject of discussion during the evening unwinding session and we were looking forward to the safari in the morning.  We got ready early in the morning and left for the safari. The sunrise was beautiful. Once again, there were many sightings of deer, mongoose, Gaurs, wild boars many birds including the Serpent eagle and Brahmi myna.  We could see pug-marks of a tiger. We were back by 9am, and had a sumptuous breakfast. The sightings had made us excited and we decided to visit Ranganathittu on our way back, thus left the jungle lodge early.

Mongoose

Red Lapwing

Tiger Pug-Mark

Serpent Eagle

Gaur feeding

Brahmi Myna

Boars

Ranganathittu was amazing and had a good variety of birds though it was peak summer. We took the boat that took us around to show more birds from close. The new SLR was put to good use. Interesting were the dwellings of Mud Swallows.

We returned to Bangalore in the evening.  This trip remains in my memory for the exciting sighting of leopards in the wild. 

Bheemeshwari, an exciting getaway

We had visited Bheemeshwari once earlier, but it was a rustic place then. Now it was quite modernized and they have included few adventure activities making the stay exciting. Though Bheemeshwari is known as a fishing camp, there is no fishing activity now. The Jungle lodge is just 100 Kms from Bangalore, offering a very serene getaway filled with thrilling activities.

We traveled on Saturday 3^rd April 2010 by a Tempo Traveler. We were thirteen. The travel was easy and we were at the lodge by 11am. We went around exploring the place before the lunch.  The lunch was delicious. In the evening we were taken on a coracle ride on the Kavery. The view around was very beautiful. After returning, some of us tried zip lining. It was quite thrilling. In the evening, we had our customary unwinding session.  

Add caption

Next morning, we were taken for a trek on the hillock behind the cottages.  We could see many birds on the way. We had breakfast after returning, and went for the Burma loop.  This is a rape walk, where in a bridge of rope is formed between tow tall trees and we have to cross it holding the side ropes, keeping our feet on the loops that move quite a lot. Quite a thrill!

Zip lining

Burma Loop

We decided to have lunch at the JLR only as the food there was nice and those days the route did not have good restaurants. We were back in Bangalore in the evening with great memories of the thrilling time spent at the Bheemshawari nature and adventure camp. 

Doddamakali nature camp

By now, many of us were habituated to be pulled by the lure of the jungle frequently. We visited the Doddamakali nature camp on the 10^th and 11^th of October 2009. This time we were 12. Doddamakali is also close to Bangalore, at a distance of ~100 Kms to Bangalore, just 6 Kms ahead of Bheemeshwari. This is a more rustic, less modernized place. There was no electricity, and there were solar lamps.  The last stretch reaching to Doddamakali is quite an experience with a highly wound dirt track.

The lunch was simple and tasty. After lunch we went around by the side of the river and played with a herd of lambs that was grazing. In the evening we were taken for a coracle ride that was very refreshing with a great sunset scene, and sighting some nice birds.  The evening was nice, and we sang songs making sure not to make loud noise.

The next morning was a very good trek, which was for about 2 hours. It offered excellent views if the nature including the sunrise. After the breakfast, we played an extended session of volley ball that was quite enjoyable and we were sweating at the end.

We returned to Bangalore in the evening.  Doddamakali will be remembered for its serenity.