MANGOOSE...!!

It rules the forest floor by scavenging. Well known for its encounter with Snakes....Very elusive difficult to get it in open.

STONE PLOVER YOGA POSTURE...!!

I really did not know what this fellow was upto..But I thought It was shear disrespect shown to me by this bird.....Just joking...but it must be up to its Yoga practice. FUNNY..

BLACK FACED LANGOORS @ WATER HOLE....!!

Water holes are common meeting points for Mammals....These Black faced Languors descended to quench their thirst...Before a tiger arrived on scene.

GENTLE AND THE GAINT....!!

Salt pits attract Mammals for their share of refurbishing the depleted body salts..Here is the pic. of the Gentle and Gaint sharing a common space.

NIGHT HERON...!!

Night Heron with plumage... The most striking part is its cherry red Eyes...

ELEPHANT AGRESSION...!!

Elephants display their aggression when you are well within their CIRCLE OF FEAR... Its even more ..in the presence of its young ones....of whom they are highly protective..

LARGE EGRET..........FEEDING SEQUENCE......!!!!

Large Egret in the process of feeding young one...It retrives fish from its stomach and transfers it to its young one by locking their beaks...
Here is a sequence pic. of the Act.

THE GENTLE GAINTS....!!!

Asian Elephants are the largest mammals of the Subcontinent... They are as tall as 12ft and weigh more than 3-4 tonns...They are extremely family bound mammals...They young ones are really protected and taken care off...They even mourn the loss of the family members.
I witnessed several heards and Lonely tuskers in my recent trip to Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary...which is their natural habitat.
Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil nadu boast of very good conservation of these Gaints.
They are truly amazing Mammals to watch...Here are some Pic. of them ...Some more will follow..

DARTER the SNAKE BIRD...!!

Darter or Snake Bird commonly called...are found near water bodies...and they thrive on fishing... Here is one such pic. Darter ready to strike...!!

BAYA THE WEAVER BIRD....IN ACTION....!!

Baya The weaver Bird is well know for its robust and scientific way of nest building....The location of the nest is such that no predators like Snakes, Crows, Raptors can steal its eggs...Its got a complex entry and exit route for its nest...
Its robust construction see it thro the toughest weather conditions... I have heard from experts...that the nest will certified by the female for its occupancy...only then it shall be used...other wise it will be discarded....
I witnessed this small bird...measuring about 4 inches....working tireless, bringing the strands of coco nut leaves to build its nest...It was a treat to watch them at work.
Here are some pic. i could manage....They are extremely fast and to get to them in positing and to get a catch light in their eye...is a tiring job...Not to mention the hand holding of the 300 f 2.8...all along.... 

CHEETAL , SPOTTED DEER...IN ACTION....!!

Spotted Deers or Cheetals as they are called...are very beautiful Mammals to look at...They are the main food chain for the predatrors above them ...like Tigers, leopards and wild dogs...
 They are extremely alert and move in large groups, grazing the forest floor....They run and leap are fascinating to look at and photograph...

BREEDING COLORS OF EGRET...!!

Nature has always surpeised by showing its beauties...Here is one such...Generally they are pure white but they trun to such beautiful  Golden Brown color during Breeding season...They are a treat to look at and to be photographed...Look at their yellow eyes...they are stunning....!!!!

LEOPARD @ KABINI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY...!!!

It was 17 yrs since i visited Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary...This time it was my dream and determination to spot a Leopard and photograph it....We Stayed at Cicad Resorts and had 4 safaris including one Boat safari..It was very thrilling to see and photograph the Leopard. It did not come easily...Listning to Alarm calls by Langur we knew it was hiding in a bush...Later after 1/2 hour it emerged out to walk across the forest floor with its authoritative stride...What a sight it was....Lighting was low...at 6pm in the forest.

We also saw a pack of 9 wild dogs...which are rarely seen.  Herds of Wild Elephants, Lone Tuskers, Malbar Gaint Squirrel, Striped neck mangoose, Lots of birds, Bisons, Cheetals, Sambar deer, Honey buzzard, Darters, Cormorants...etc.

All in all an interesting outing...which I recommend others should take.

ORIENTAL WHITE EYE FEEDING YOUNG ONES....!!

Oriental White Eye. A small little bird and even smaller chicks....The Bird may measdure about 3 to 4 inches long...and the chicks are as small as an inch or slightly bigger....Nestled in a 2 inch Diameter nesting ..Very well hidden. and roubustly built nest...was housing 2 chicks...

They are extremely fast in approach to feeding it all happens in a second...!!!

So here are some pic. of the Action...!!

TEST OF THE BEST....THE 300 F 2.8 FROM CANON...!!

 

I am putting the new white Elephant to its tests.....As of now its performing to its reputation....This beast has tremendous potential. Under right care...its very lethal in its results.
Here are few pic. of its capabilities...the first one is the CROW FIGHT WITH THE KITE....Crows have a habit of disturbing the flights of Kites...often trying to peck them in flight.....Seldome do they succeed her is one such close encounter in action....
Second is the portrait of which we all are familiar off....check out its facial details...and the details in its eyes...
I am  beginning to seriously enjoy this White Elephant....
Some off beat shots are also on the blog RIGHTANGLE...check it out...

OPEN BILL STORK FLIGHT....!!

Open Billed Stork ferrying Nesting material....to reinforce the nest which might have been damaged due to wind or otherwise...I have seen them washing the nesting material before using it.

TIGER...!!!!

This one is pictured at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve...It sat in the middle of the Jeep track and we had to reverse our vehicle for couple of Kms...to retrace our Route.

BLACK SHOULDERED KITE....!!

Wide spread resident...Small size. Grey and white with black shoulders. Flight buoyant,with much hovering, Juvenile has brownish-Grey upper parts with pale fringes, with less distinct shoulder patch. Found near Grass land with cultivation and open scrub.