[nilanjanray]

Visiting this thread after a long time. Made a few trips in between, yet to process photos.

The Central India travelogue is running here:http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...-fortuner.html

Had gone to Hessarghata last Sunday, after reading about it in many places. The lake was rather dirty, disappointing. The grassland looked good enough, but was ruined by loud music and drunk guys driving their vehicles around at top speed and yelling like mad people. Still, from a natural beauty perspective it was somewhat underwhelming. Thought about it, and here is why:
1. If I drive 10 mins from my home, I can get similar landscape - not so vast, but close enough. E.g. near Kodathi village
2. Have driven through similar, better landscape in MP recently. Presence of wildlife increases the excitement and perceived beauty, IMO
3. I guess the main claim to fame of Hessarghata is that it is the last surviving grassland of Bangalore.

A couple of photos of the Bison in Hessarghata. I rather like the B&W one.

[nilanjanray]

It would be good if someone can identify the yellow bird. I know one is a jungle babbler, the green one is probably the pitta.

[aravind84]

Nilanjan,

The yellow bird looks to be the Common Iora

[nilanjanray]

Reworked B&W version of a langur portrait. Had shared this on Facebook

There was a group of langurs having their evening meeting on a forest road. While most went away as my vehicle slowly approached, this guy just went and sat on top of a nearby rock, and refused to show fear.

His expression made me feel like an intruder.


I resized the photo and it doesn't appear that sharp. Better version here:
http://500px.com/photo/63579375

[gabrielthomas]

WOW is the least word to describe these pictures. Can I request you to share the Camera and the lens that were used to click these beauties?

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by gabrielthomas

WOW is the least word to describe these pictures. Can I request you to share the Camera and the lens that were used to click these beauties?

Thanks
The recent ones were taken with the D7100 +70-300vr combo.

[nilanjanray]

Will be visiting Kanha and Tadoba in the first week of June.

Plan:

• May 31: Bangalore - Pench. 1250 kms drive.
• June 1: Pench - Kanha. June 1 - June 5: Kanha. 8 safaris.
• June 6th morn: Kanha - Tadoba. June 6 - June 8: Tadoba. 4 safaris.
• Leave Tadoba after lunch on June 8, and reach Bangalore after midnight around 2-3 am. 1150 - 1200 kms drive.

Need to get the Fortuner 70K servicing done. Changed tyres recently - Pirelli Scorpions. So looking forward to the drive.

Plan to do some offroading/ trail driving in the buffer areas.

Hope that the stripes and spots cooperate for photoshoots.

[nilanjanray]

Revisiting this thread after ages. Many trips done since then. Kanha. Ladakh. Tadoba. Nilgiris (n times). Satpuras. Kumaon Himalayas.

The Bison - my 4WD Fortuner - has been a faithful steed, happily accepting the good and the bad that I have been throwing at him. Has crossed 1 lakh km. Many more to go.

Sharing a few photos, many of them reposted. Will update this thread from time to time. Not enough time to write detailed travelogues about each trip.
-----------------

Last kiss by the sun. Panchachuli Peaks, Eastern Uttarakhand


Maternity


Wild boars in the mist


Cyclist near Khardung La


Jungle Fowl, Satpuras


Thirsty. Satpura Tiger Reserve


Sense of wonder. Kanha.


Two brothers. Satpuras


Ladakh, B&W


Tigress, Kanha


Young leopard


Army trucks heading towards Leh


Leopard in golden grass


River terns


Next time I will catch you. A tigress looking at langurs - on top of a tree - after a failed hunt.


Golden morning


A huge Sambar stag crosses a forest road


Tigress


Flexibility. Kanha. Shot right outside Kisli tourist lodge.


I see everything. Himalayan vulture near Munsiyari, Eastern Kumaon.


Mating Roller Birds, Satpuras. Early morning.


Camping at 10,500 feet. Eastern Uttarakhand.


I see you! Malabar Giant Squirrel, shot near a forest rest house


Kanha safari


Raptor landing. Honey Buzzard, Tadoba.


Canoeing in Satpuras


Sambar, Tadoba


Bugyal, Eastern Uttarakhand. 11,000+ feet

[Shanksta]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Revisiting this thread after ages. Many trips done since then. Kanha. Ladakh. Tadoba. Nilgiris (n times). Satpuras. Kumaon Himalayas.

Jaw dropping pictures, every one of them!!!

Calling your photography skills,"excellent" is an understatement.

The picture of the safari, the Leopard brothers and sense of wonder were epic.

[vinitbhavi]

You sir have definitely got my award for the best photography on the entire team bhp forum especially for the slightly belated world photography day. Absolutely brilliant,spellbinding,breathtaking .Kudos!

[Zen dkr]

Awesome photography, great treat to our eyes. thanks a ton. Longing for more, pl keep it up, Sir.

[nilanjanray]

I had driven down to Masinagudi a few days back. A few shots with the mobile phone.









Met this wild male tusker. It was drizzling, light wasn't too good. The first elephant photo was taken too close. Not a good idea, in hindsight.

Nikon D7100 + 70-300mm VR. Excuse the image quality, these are re-sized versions of JPEGs.

[deepak_misra]

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

I had driven down to Masinagudi a few days back. A few shots with the mobile phone.

Where was photo #4 taken. And is the elephant Rivalodo ? Looks a bit small for him.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by deepak_misra

Where was photo #4 taken. And is the elephant Rivalodo ? Looks a bit small for him.

Near Wild Haven.

Not sure about Rivaldo. He was pretty big, not that small.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by Shanksta

Jaw dropping pictures, every one of them!!!

Calling your photography skills,"excellent" is an understatement.

The picture of the safari, the Leopard brothers and sense of wonder were epic.

Originally Posted by vinitbhavi

You sir have definitely got my award for the best photography on the entire team bhp forum especially for the slightly belated world photography day. Absolutely brilliant,spellbinding,breathtaking .Kudos!

Originally Posted by Zen dkr

Awesome photography, great treat to our eyes. thanks a ton. Longing for more, pl keep it up, Sir.

Thanks for looking and liking.

Reprocessed a few old photos from Tadoba. That time I used to shoot with the venerable D90.