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Old 28th August 2015, 16:19   #1
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Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

Hi Guys,
This is mostly a PhotoLog.
I drove to Kabini via Mysore, I started my drive from Bangalore on Monday at 5:30 am and was at Mysore at 8:00 am. Had my breakfast at Kamat Madhuvan near the Mysore Outer ring road, and from there on headed to Kabini.
I reached Kabini at 10:45 am, and immediately checked-in. Initially my plan was to spend 1 day in Kabini and then drive to Bylakuppe and then head to Madikeri before heading back to Bangalore, but Kabini was so beautiful and mesmerising, and on advice from other photographer friends Althaf Mir and Manjunath I met at Kabini, I decided to spend another day in Kabini and do 2 more safari's. My only hope was to get a glimpse of a Tiger before I head back to Bangalore.

Tiger sighting is a rare opportunity !!
After completing 3 safari's in 2 days I had missed the sighting 3 times by a whisker. Once we even were the only group, which had missed the sighting.
We were desperate. Determined to track down the tigress on the last safari before I head back to Bangalore., we started very early in the morning.
With help from Althaf Mir , Manjunath Hegde and the naturalist Ravi , we were able to track down the beast. Even when we tracked her down, at a distance we dismissed her silhouette to be a sambhar (deer) and were disappointed, until she turned and we started noticing stripes, immediately all of us were on our feet trying to get a glimpse, words cannot describe the feeling of seeing this magnificent creature in it's natural habitat.

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_54322.jpg

This particular tigress is known as the Tiger Tank Tigress, we caught her walking-by in the early morning at around 6:30 am.
And it just got better, after some time we got another sighting of another tigress. It's unbelievable that we got to see 2 tigress's on a single safari , though we were able to see her only for a very short time before we lost her.

This is just one of the many photos I took, I will be posting more of them

Before I continue uploading other photos I would like to maintain the chronology of sightings since day 1's first safari. I truly believe that as much as Kabini is coveted for it's Tiger and Leopard sightings, it's a remarkable place with the variety of animals and birds you get to see, and I enjoyed every minute I spent in Kabini.
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Old 28th August 2015, 16:34   #2
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Awesome click. Awaiting the rest of the pics. Where did you stay in Kabini. A short review would be highly appreciated !
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Old 28th August 2015, 16:40   #3
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

DAY - 1, SAFARI -1

Sighting's of -- Peacock, Elephant, Spotted Deer, Langur, Sambhar , Changeable Hawk Eagle.

Peacock crossing
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4617.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4629.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4630.jpg

This tusker is known as one and half, because of it's broken tusk.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4648.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4669.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4706.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4709.jpg

Safari trail
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4716.jpg

Langur's make a great subject
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4720.jpg

Last edited by RROD : 28th August 2015 at 16:44.
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Old 28th August 2015, 16:49   #4
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

DAY-1, SAFARI-1 , contd

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4722.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4726.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4741.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4752.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4863.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4801.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4802.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4810.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4856.jpg

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4866.jpg
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Old 28th August 2015, 16:55   #5
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

Quote:
Originally Posted by pradyblr View Post
Awesome click. Awaiting the rest of the pics. Where did you stay in Kabini. A short review would be highly appreciated !
Hi Prady,
I stayed Jungle Lodges & Resorts.
As this was a solo drive, I took a Tent, which I feel is more than enough for a family with 2 kids.
The facilities, staff , and the ambience is fantastic. Kabini is a place to be experienced. The naturalist's on the Safari's are well informed, and are able to help you understand the animals behavior' and help you in tracking down animal based on the alarm calls.
Overalls it was a fantastic experience.
I preferred to travel on a weekday, as I knew that the place would be crowded over the weekend.
Initially I felt the place is expensive, but after experiencing what was on offer, I felt it was worth it, and I will be visiting Kabini Jungle Lodges & Resorts again.
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Old 28th August 2015, 18:07   #6
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

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Originally Posted by RROD View Post
Overalls it was a fantastic experience.
Yes, Kabini is a place that grows on you every visit. A tiger or leopard sighting is always special and something you will remember for a very long time. What photography equipment were you using?
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Old 28th August 2015, 19:36   #7
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

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Originally Posted by Stryker View Post
Yes, Kabini is a place that grows on you every visit. A tiger or leopard sighting is always special and something you will remember for a very long time. What photography equipment were you using?
It's been a couple of days since I am back and I still cant get over the Kabini experience.
Below is the equipment I used.
D800 + 70-200 2.8 + 300mm F4 + 1.4TC.

I am still processing photos from the next 3 safari trips, I will be uploading the 2nd Safari's photos tomorrow.
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Old 29th August 2015, 11:56   #8
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re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

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Originally Posted by RROD View Post
D800 + 70-200 2.8 + 300mm F4 + 1.4TC.
Great gear sir. You've gone there well prepared
Awaiting the next set of photos.
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Old 29th August 2015, 16:19   #9
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Re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

DAY-2, SAFARI-1

The safari began at 6:30 am, and below is a grab from our drive from the Resort to the jungle.

Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4873.jpg

another scenic safari trail
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4876.jpg

View from the jeep
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4877.jpg

Peahen giving out the alarm call, this was the first time we missed the sighting\
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4878.jpg

Peahen giving out the alarm call
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4879.jpg

There's a lungur in there, shot very early in the morning. Loved the mood of the photo
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4884.jpg

Woodpecker, another shy bird, rather cunning, will always try to stay out of sight.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4893.jpg

Brown Fish eye owl
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4896.jpg

Same bird, once we got a bit closer to it.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4910.jpg

This was the second alarm call, you can see all the deers looking at one spot. Either a tiger or a leopard was in the bushes, which either because of the jeep's engine noise or some other reason, decided not to come out :(
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_49142.jpg

Changeable Hawk Eagle, those eyes....
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_4949.jpg

Crested Serpent Eagle
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5005.jpg

Framed, Crested Serpent Eagle
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5011.jpg
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Old 29th August 2015, 16:25   #10
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Re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

DAY-2,SAFARI-1 contd

Wild boar
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5040.jpg

Magpie Robin with kill (If ID is incorrect, please let me know)
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5051.jpg

Magpie Robin
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5062.jpg

Sparrow, these are now in the endangered list. I remember seeing a whole lot of them in Bangalore while growing up, now we hardly see any.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5079.jpg

Myna's taking a ride on an Elephant, our guide mentioned he has never seen this before.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5158.jpg

Heron landing
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5136.jpg
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Old 5th September 2015, 14:04   #11
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Re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

Day 2 , Safari 3

Not much activity on the 3rd safari, but we enjoyed the ride as we took a different route this time. This cost us dearly as we were the only group among all the groups,who missed the sighting, the other naturalists were calling us but we were not in the network zone , and missed the call

Woodpecker, different perch.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5170.jpg


CHE
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5184.jpg

White throated Kingfisher
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5196.jpg

CHE, that villainous look.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5203.jpg

Deers fighting for domination
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5330.jpg

Deers fighting for domination
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5331.jpg

Bison, this is the closest we got.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5361.jpg

Bison feeding it's calf.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5272.jpg

The different track we rode, where there wasn't any network connection.
Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting-dsc_5368.jpg

Last edited by RROD : 5th September 2015 at 14:11.
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Old 5th September 2015, 14:34   #12
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Re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

Fantastic pictures of animal in their natural habitat. I can imagine the excitement when you actually spot the big cat that you have been longing to see for a while.

I could see from the clicks Kabini is in full glory as you have traveled just on / after monsoon. Lush green forest with the mist looks awesome.

I have been planning for Kabini, but could not do it for some reason or the other. Will plan it either in October or next monsoon season.
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Old 5th September 2015, 22:48   #13
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Re: Photologue: Kabini, my first Tiger sighting

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Originally Posted by AutoInt View Post
Fantastic pictures of animal in their natural habitat. I can imagine the excitement when you actually spot the big cat that you have been longing to see for a while.

I could see from the clicks Kabini is in full glory as you have traveled just on / after monsoon. Lush green forest with the mist looks awesome.

I have been planning for Kabini, but could not do it for some reason or the other. Will plan it either in October or next monsoon season.
Thanks AutoInt.

I visited Kabini, last week on a weekday (Monday to Wednesday,) mainly to avoid the weekend crowd.

I had been postponing Kabini trip for a couple of years, as I was planning to visit there in the summer, but this time I took the plunge against my preference for a summer visit and it's been worth it. It's been one of the best experiences.

I don't think you should be postponing your Kabini trip, and don't wait for the summers, I think Kabini has something special to give every season.
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