Alpinus Wild

2011-02-23T20:47:00.003+08:00

I am posting after a long break. Back to India for good and traveling clicking some good photographs. Meanwhile I’ve been traveling to a few places for photography; the year 2010 has been a roller coaster ride, a few downs and a lot of ups. Very few people get the opportunity to blog when there is heavy sambar and spotted deer alarm call going on in the back ground. Yes, right now, I am sitting at my second home –Wild Haven Mudumalai- with a beautiful view in front of me.

Mudumalai is one of the few places that I visited in the last 6 months, a numerous times at that. Topslip, Parambikulam, Kabini are the few important ones to mention. At Kabini I stayed at the Jungle Lodges and Resorts, for the third time, which itself was an experience to count in. Here, we spotted a pack of 10 wild dogs where we encountered a rather bizarre behavior where 2 dogs from a different pack, as it seemed, were side by side to the pack of 10 which we spotted a moment earlier. Probably they were trying to merge in with the bigger pack, or they were trying to get the underdogs or the lesser dominant females out of the bigger pack to have their own little army, I don’t know.

We spent about twenty to twenty five minutes with them and pushed off to find a few members of the bigger pack hunt down a Civet cat near the road which lead to the other side of the bush. The poor Civet was left for the little grown up pups to play with before they started devouring it. At this point, we needn’t necessarily feel sorry for the Civet cat or any other prey that is about to, or probably been hunted down because it is nothing but a natural phenomenon that happens in the wild. As I have mention earlier, no animal kills with hatred. The most pure form of living beings that they are, a well fed predator would never go hunting unless it’s hungry again!

Bird photography is very interesting indeed, but the key to it is a lot of patience and some more patience and even more patience. I have recently started venturing into it. So, I will be posting a few bird pictures too. I know a lot of people out there are much more experienced than me, if any one of such experience comes across my blog, please feel free to be a critique.

Spot-Billed Duck

2009-11-08T14:40:00.003+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 300mm focal length

Taken at Kabini backwaters on a boatride on 27th Aug 2007.

Muscle Power

2009-11-08T14:28:00.003+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/ 80 sec, f/4.5, ISO 320, 145mm focal length

Taken at Kabini on 27th Aug 2007. After fight blaze.

Monkey Photoshoot- The Pose

2009-11-08T14:17:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/250 sec, f/4.8, ISO 400, 190mm focal length

Taken at Bandipur on 14th of November. Bonnet Macaque.

Twins???

2009-11-08T14:05:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 135mm focal length

Taken at Mudumalai on 11th of November 2007. I was waiting for the spotty on the right to lift his head up so that I could take this lovely picture.

Lion Tail Macaque

2009-11-08T14:01:00.004+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 135mm focal length

This Lion Tail Macaque was taken on 25th Aug 2007 at Valparai.

Unknown Spider

2009-11-08T13:53:00.005+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 300mm focal length

Taken on 29 Aug 2007 at Kabini when I visited with my parents. Some times I wish I had a VR or a Macro lens. This is the best I could do with my plastic 70-300mm f/4-5.6 with bad lighting.

Peaceful Tusker

2009-11-08T13:44:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250, 100mm focal length

Taken on 28th May 2009 at Mudumalai at a friends place.

Contender

2009-11-08T13:05:00.007+08:00

Right: Nikon D80, 1/1600 sec, f/4.2, ISO 500, 122mm focal length

Left: Nikon D80, 1/2500 sec, f/4.2, ISO 500, 105mm focal length

This photo was taken on the 28th of May 2009. I was at one of my friends place in Mudumalai which storms with wildlife 24 hours a day. One of the undisturbed places around. This Tusker on the foreground had given me a hard time getting into my friends house. I had to enter the property "reverse" just to stay on the safe side, because had he charged anytime I could just engage the first gear and take off. But finally made it through and ran into the house. He threw some real good poses when we went wild clicking. After a while he was surprised to see one other Tusker enter the premises. He did not stay back even for a minute. He came back when he made sure his contender had already left the place.

It was really wonderful watching the whole scenario.

Red Saturation

2009-03-12T13:47:00.003+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/160 sec, f/ 5.6, ISO 100, 135 mm focal length.

This was taken on 31st July, 2007. I absolutely love this photo because the colors are so vivid and depth in the picture is obvious. Taken at a friends place in Mudumalai.

Sunflower

2009-03-12T13:31:00.010+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/125 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100, 135 mm focal length.

This picture of the sunflower taken at a place on the way to Gopalsamybetta, on 31st July, 2007. I was accompanied with my photographer friend Naseer. Until I clicked this picture, I never knew that sun flowers were so fascinating and so much intricate details in them. It is nothing but harmony. I truly was surprised. So, like I aways say, "I am still learning".

Spotted Deer

2009-03-12T13:18:00.004+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/640 sec, f/4.8, ISO 640, 155 mm focal length.

This picture was taken on 14th Dec, 2007 at Bandipur. This was right after the early morning Gypsy ride. We did not manage to see much on the ride expect one herd of elephants and a couple of sambars. When we were getting back to Mudumalai, there were a couple of deers on the road side, peeping in to the vehicles that passed by. I think the are so used to humans and cars, that they expect a biscuit or chip from every vehicle. Anyways, I personally don't believe in feeding wild animals with what we eat. Simple rule. We cannot eat what the wild animals eat, so we, as responsible human beings should not get these wild life used to what we eat. That would make them lazy like us, make them lose the interest in finding their own food, make them lazy, eventually, get killed by predators because they are not fit enough.

Bhraminy Kite

2009-03-12T13:09:00.004+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 300 mm focal length.

This picture of the Bhraminy Kite was taken on 29th Aug, 2007 at Kabini back waters. My first Bhraminy Kite. We were on a boat ride and it was pretty hard to keep my hands still at 300mm zoom especially when the ride was bumpy and light a bit low. Some times I badly wished I had a VR lens.

Tusker

2009-03-12T12:57:00.004+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/100 sec, f/5, ISO 320, 180mm focal length

This Picture was taken at Kabini on 27th Aug, 2007. We spent five days at JLR in Kabini. This was only elephant we spotted during the trip. I personally feel that the animals in Kabini, Nagerhole, BR Hills, Kerala are bigger and healthier than the elephants of Mudumalai. This elephant was spotted at around 12 noon, it was actually pretty gloomy and as you can see the vegetation is lush. The forests in Tamilnadu should be preserved with more strict rules and more awareness should be created in order for the next generation to witness the wild animals.

Painted Stork

2009-03-02T23:52:00.004+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/2500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 320, 300mm focal length

This photo is one of my favorites. Taken at the backwaters of Kabini River on 27th Aug, 2008. My Dad accompanied me on the boat ride so I had to impress him for a better lens, now I use 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens, its not even cool, but he says that this is great to learn keep my hands still when I take a photo. I think he was a bit impressed after the Kabini trip, but he still thinks that I have to learn more to get a new lens, "I am good Daddy, or at least better" lol, anyways, this is a Painted Stork, I love the grey tone and the way the bird forms a silhouette but still you can notice the details within. Nice :-)

Ultimate Fight Championship

2009-03-02T23:26:00.008+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/80 sec, f/4.5, ISO 320, 145mm focal length

I just missed the Bison (Indian Gaur) fight, but we reached the particular spot after hearing "thuds" created by the clashing bison heads. I think they were distracted by the sound of the vehicle. Anyways, it was all peace after we arrived. But it is one ultimate scene to watch these beasts fight. These are the strongest of the members of the bovine family, largest cattle in the whole wide world. The American Yaks look bigger because of the fur, otherwise when it comes to weight or strength or power, it is our contender. This picture was taken on 27th Aug, 2007 at Kabini.

Indian Wild Dogs- Pose

2009-03-02T23:08:00.005+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 300mm focal length

This picture was take on 27th Aug, 2008 at Kabini. These were a pack of 8 dogs and they were busy playing. It was hard to get their attention without disturbing them. I so badly wanted to take a photo of one of these so I thought of getting their attention without shooing them away, I kept my camera ready, focused and whistled, there you go, click. These Indian Wild Dogs are one of the most efficient hunters around. They hunt in packs intimidating the prey by making it run for long and exhausting it. They are commonly known as Dhole, their African cousins are known as Painted Dogs too.

Lion Tail Macaque

2009-03-01T23:50:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/250 sec, f/5.3, ISO 320, 250mm focal length

One of the last two thousand Lion Tail Macaques roam happily in Valparai. I was astonished to see around 30 to 35 of them play around on the roads. I was with Roshan, we were getting back to Coimbatore after putting stay with Praveen for the weekend. One needn't put in effort to spot some animals in the jungle, but one has to put in efforts to spot a lion tail macaque, and I dont know when I will be able to photograph my next Lion Tail Macaque. These animals are critically endangered, mainly because of wipe out of habitat. These lion tail macaques feed only on fruits rather than the leaves like most of its other cousins. But now since their habitat and feeding habits are snatched away they broadened their food choices.

My First Nilgiri Tahr

2009-03-01T23:14:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800, 135mm focal length.

This photo was taken on 25th Dec, 2008, at Valparai. A very special day as this was my first Tahr shoot. When I was young, I dint have a camera and my dad's Canon AE-1 was too complicated to use, so everytime we went on a trip I used to borrow camera from my friends. I dont think I would have been so excited to have taken a picture of a Nilgiri Tahr those days with a lousy point and shoot.

Water Delight !

2009-03-01T23:01:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/5 sec, f/20, ISO 320, 44mm focal length

This picture of the Waterfall in Marayur on the way to Munnar, Kerala, is one of my personal bests. And this is the first one of this kind I have. Again, I always wanted to try cool things with my camera, I am sure most of you guys would know it but I am just a rookie, so its fun for me. So, yeah, this was taken on the way to Munnar when Roshan, Praveen and myself made a get away, yet again. This photo is one of my favorites because this was one of the first times I tried achieving such an image. Taken on 24th Mar, 2008.

2009-03-01T22:26:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/25 sec, f/5, ISO 320, 105mm focal length.

I have been checking out some photographs of some legends and their trick shots. I always used to wonder how are they able to do such cool stuff with the camera, then I would pacify myself coming to a conclusion that it is photoshoped. I know I was foolish. Then a friend of mine, Rameshwar, who works with Bollywood and worked under famous DOPs told me that I can actually do it with my camera without any aid. I was stunned. So, I took my camera and tried one of these shots. Took me a while to master it though. Hence this photo But achieving something like this in the wild when nothing is orchestrated is a tough task at least to me. Taken on 8th Mar, 2008 at Bandipur.

Perfect Dusk !

2009-03-01T22:05:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320, 130 mm focal length

This picture of the Grey Langur, is one of my personal favorites because of the lighting. I feel its perfect to portray the "dusk" feeling. The original gray color of the monkey is shadowed by the setting sun light and the background. Gives a warm feeling to me. This was taken on Mudumalai - Bandipur road closer to Theppakadu 8th March, 2008.

Note: Looks better when viewed large.

Fibonacci Shower !

2009-03-01T21:51:00.002+08:00

Nikon D80, 1/200 sec, f/4.8, ISO 320, 170mm focal length.

This photo was taken on 23rd July, 2008 at Theppakadu. If you might know there is a huge river flowing through. I had taken some guest from the United States for a drive to Bandipur, by then saw some elephants taking a bath in the river, so I stopped by to show my friends the scene. I wasted about 20 to 30 shots trying to get this one. If you may notice how the water is creating an almost fibonacci series. Until today, I dint know elephants spray water in such a fashion. Worth the wait.

Blessing from the Wild

2009-03-01T21:32:00.000+08:00

NIKON D80, 1/200 sec, f/5, ISO 100, 200mm focal length.

This photo was taken on Mudumalai- Bandipur road (31st July, 2008). The story behind it: I wanted to photograph these elephants and there was a cute little calf towards the end, so I was waiting for them to move forward towards me. As they were closing in, one of the elephants towards the front actually touched my car. It was as if I was blessed by mother nature. I was so elated and satisfied. Then I heard that it will bring one luck. Truly, I feel so lucky about how my life is today. Touch Wood.

My First Love

2009-03-01T17:24:00.001+08:00

I was first taken to a wildlife sanctuary during the early 1985's. I was a 6 month old kid, and the place was Mudumalai. Ever since, Mudumalai has been my second home, hailing from Coimbatore, Mudumalai was a 3 hour drive for us and until I was 18 my parents took me there, after getting hold of a driver's licence I don't know how many times I have driven to Mudumalai just for the heck of it, just to catch a glimpse of some animal, or just to sit there and listen to the trees creek, streams gush, the sound of the jungle which is music to ears.

Now I have been away from home for the past 3 years, fourth year running, and every time I get back home I visit Mudumalai. Even though I have not been visiting as much as I used to do, I still make time to do what ever i used to do and make up for it. It is such a spiritual feeling to be in the jungle listening to the sounds.

I have visited almost all the well known wildlife resorts in Mudumalai, but for the past 6 years, I have found my joint, my wildlife joint, where everything comes together, this Wildlife resort in Chadapatti, Wild Haven. Knowing the people who own it personally makes it all the more home to you, and I would call it my second home. I don't know how many days I have started from Coimbatore at 6 in the evening, reached Wild Haven at around 9 p.m. finish supper and go on to my night drives. I used to drive all night and get back to Coimbatore early in the morning.

I have a couple of my good friends who love forests and animals, who are good sports, not like one of them bullies where they try to provoke animals and stuff like that, I usually kick them out at Mettupalayam before I even reach the ghats section. So yeah, couple of my friends like Manivannan, he is a bit noisy when it comes to patience and demanding when it come to spotting animals, but very understanding after we spot one, by the way, he is my best buddy :) so there might be possibilities where he is taking me for granted when i say "Shut up and look out!" The next one with me is Roshan, the owner of Wild Haven resort, more of my little brother and a good friend. Now this guy, is kinda lazy when it comes to Mudumalai, because that's where he lives, so he is more excited about the city than the jungle, but very supporting and he will never stop me from doing my thing in the forest. One more interesting character that one should know is Praveen, I call him "Tanzania Coorg Mama Korean Jeep Kounder". He doesn't have any theoretical knowledge or facts about animals, but a very practical guy with a lot of experience in his bag. One guy that is sensible in handling snakes and compassionate towards animals. There are a lot of other people that have been so understanding and accompanied me in the jungle tours, there are quite a few to mention.

When ever I go to Wild Haven, room no: 3 is booked for me, Roshan even has mentioned to me after he takes over the business from his father he'll name the room "Harish Suite", hope you do it man, haha, just joking. As far as I am concerned, room no: 3 is the best room for nocturnal human beings like me. We usually go for long night drives after dinner and this is our beat 1. Sigur Bridge 2. Singara 3. Moyar 4. Mudumalai 5. Kargudi 6. Kakkanhalla check post or even sometimes to Bandipur and back to Chadapatti after stopping over the Sigur bridge for at least 15 mins. But sometimes when we are lazy we stop with Moyar, in that case, we get back soon and we sit up all night jus to listen to the sounds of the jungle. Right from the jungle fowls to the elephants to the alarm calls of sambar deer and spotted deer and some times even a tiger or a panther call.

At 12 midnight nothing much is happening in the homo sapiens' world, but that is when the animal world lights up, after all that dust and noise and pollution kicked up by automobiles and human beings settle down, the animals get out for their living. It is so intense and on the edge, an aloof predator goes starving and a careless animal is on the dinner plate to a stalking predator.
The jungle is a place where everything is so organised and disciplined, there is killing but no hatred, there is love but without any expectations, there will be major pleasing going on but without wanting anything in return, a place that is so true, so spontaneous. No creature will harm you unless feared that its space is taken, no animal will go out of the way to hurt anyone and anything, if it does, its because it had no other choice. But we, human beings, always have a choice, to retreat. If we don't, we will have to visit the hospital and spread hatred towards animals.

A jungle is a place where everything is in harmony. Everything works hand in hand, the best give and take policy is witnessed here in the forest be it the food chain or anything else for that matter.

I was always lucky to have had the opportunity to be with wild animals when ever possible, I literally would not need anything except dough for fuel to get there, I can starve to be with animals. It always gave me immense pleasure in trying to understand an action or a reaction of a animal. Now, for the past 3 years I have gotten in to a new hobby, wildlife photography, which I think is one best way to tingle your interest to learn more and achieve more, I am in pursuit of achieving and learning. Animal behaviour is a subject that one cannot be sure of, it is always a matter of an individual all the rest is prediction. With our experience, some times we are right and some other times we are tricked, and the getting tricked part will always remain a mystery. The key to achieve mastering animal behavior is how close can one predict. I am still learning. . .