14th November 2012, 00:09
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| Distinguished - BHPian   | Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Had another trip to Bandipur - Ooty in June 2012. It was almost a year since I was on a safari in Bandipur. Decided to drive down to Bandipur for a couple of Safaris and a day's stay in Ooty just to relax. Had planned for 2 Safaris, one on the 9th June 2012 morning and the other on the 10th June 2012 evening. Started off from home at 2:30 am to reach Bandipur gate well before 6 am (The forest is closed from 9 pm to 6 am in the morning). The safaris start from 6.30 am and will go on till 10 am. Safari 1 Started off in one of the jeeps at 7 am. The safari can go be anywhere between 90 - 120 mins. The first spotting of the safari. The Gentle Gaints  How to get rid on an itch  The Mongoose  National Bird  Sambar Deer  A Young Fella  Near a water hole  Found a pug mark which was quite fresh. The was a tigress and 3 cubs in that region, so we rushed to the other side of the trail to see if the striped cats come out in the open.  A couple more vehicles waiting to see some action from the striped cats.  After waiting for about 30 mins, we decided to move on. Wishing for better luck the next time. Another spotted deer  A Bird. Can somebody identify this please.  After moving on, we came across a herd of elephants. The matriarch decided to check how much of a threat we were to the herd. The first crosses the path  Other follow suit  The matriarch decides to take a U turn to check upon us. She crosses the path and comes to the other side and gives us a mock charge. We stand put.  She trumpets, kicks up dust and puts a bit of mud on itself to scare us. We don't budge.  A long stare at the intruders  She decides to move on  We move on too. A parrot on barren branches  Macaques  In deep thought  The safari was done with quite a bit of events. Waiting for the tigers, elephants checking on us, birds, loads of spotted deer and Sambar deers. Content with the action we move towards Ooty. Just before we leave, a forest guard asks us which route we were taking to which I replied Gudalur. With a pleasant smile he asked if we could drop him there. I was more than happy to accommodate him in the car and drop him. On the way, there were quite a few tourists simply stopping on the road side. With the forest guard's help, we were able to get them moving. Reached Ooty by lunch time and checked in to one of the numerous hotels. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and a bit of shopping in the evening. End of episode 1 To be contd.... |
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14th November 2012, 00:33
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Episode 2 - Safari on the 10th June 2012 Evening With nothing much to visit around as we had already visited the places in Ooty, we were lazy to get up early and get ready. At around 9 am we were able to pull ourselves up and get ready to visit Dodda Betta. The reason is a nice drive on the twisties up to the spot. A view from Dodda Betta  Just after the Sigur Ghats   We stop to give way to the spotted deer. Remember we were in their territory. But the Hyundai Accent in the pic does not think so. He simply drives without stopping. Felt really terrible with this attitude towards the animals.  We wait at the Safari counter for the Safari Jeep to pick us up. The trained elephants near the camp at the forest office  Where is my quota?   Another young one which belongs to the camp with tusks.  3 Birdies. Can somebody please identify these.  Two more a little further away from the 3 birdies.  Spotted Deer, seems to be a bit old  A tortoise in one of the water hole which would dry up soon.  At another water hole  We move further with little action until we spot an Indian Gaur which seems very jittery.  The reason, it was attacked by a leopard or a tiger. The former seems more like the attacker. The Gaur was big, it managed to escape but not without injuries.   We next spot a barking deer one side of a big water hole.  A herd at the other side of the water hole where there was fresh grass growth    A video of the herd in action Serpant Eagle  We move on, in a few mins, spot another elephant herd.  An owl. The guide mentioned that this one was endangered.  With 6 pm soon approaching we start back towards the forest office. But I persuade the guide the route towards Hulikatte region. The effort did not go waste. We spotted a Leopard enjoying its kill behind the thicket. Buy the time I focus the camera, the leopard disappeared in to the thicket.  Returned back to the forest office again with loads of action on the Safari. The return journey was smooth and reached Bangalore and hit the sack for a well deserved rest. The itch to go back on a safari in Bandipur has already began. PS: A very good sighting had happened a couple days before the 9th of June 2012. My good friend at the JLR shared the pics with me. Will post them here after he gives a go ahead. Last edited by benbsb29 : 14th November 2012 at 11:15. Reason: Fixing video embed. |
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14th November 2012, 11:18
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| Team-BHP Support   | |
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14th November 2012, 11:27
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| BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kochi, Bangalore
Posts: 203
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14th November 2012, 11:37
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Quote:
As far as I am aware of you cannot book the Govt Safari in advance. You need to go there and it will be on first come first serve basis. If you need any help on us do PM me, I can help you out. Cheers. | |
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14th November 2012, 14:26
| #6 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bengaluru
Posts: 521
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| Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Quote:
Safari trips have resumed since about a month if I'm not wrong. | |
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14th November 2012, 14:42
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Quote:
Yes Safari Trips have started and the forest department jeeps are also available for safari along with the JLR safari vehicles. No other resorts have permission to get into the forest for safari. | |
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14th November 2012, 15:01
| #8 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chennai
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14th November 2012, 15:09
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| Senior - BHPian  Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palakkad/Coimbatore
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16th November 2012, 11:22
| #10 |
| BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bangalore
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16th November 2012, 11:25
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| Distinguished - BHPian | |
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16th November 2012, 18:31
| #12 |
| Team-BHP Support  | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition After seeing all those snaps, I have only one question: WHERE IS THE LINEA ?  |
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16th November 2012, 18:34
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Quote:
Another log is coming with Linea Photos more than the location  | |
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16th November 2012, 21:02
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition Quote:
The Lazy tiger after its tummy full  Who the heck is it in my world  Ah! The same old humans  Flies too disturb them apart from humans.  Back to dozing off  One last look before the deep sleep  Back to sleep  A few birdies.  Another shot  Please identify this one and the above one too.  | |
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16th November 2012, 21:20
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| Distinguished - BHPian | Re: Bandipur Visit - June 2012 Edition The next morning the cubs come out too. The Tigress had made Sambar Deer kill the previous night. The Tigress was lying behind the thicket when it was first spotted.  Gets up a bit and checks whats all the clicking noise about  Decides to come out to give a clearer view of itself.  Out on a stroll  Getting inside again  Comes out growling  What happens next is, the cubs come out  Decides to get on to the other side of the track  The cub follows   The stare  Walking towards the jeep   |
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