[darklord]

It was the first Sunday after my niece's school vacation began, and she is a travel crazy, restless kid. Initially, I thought of taking her to Bandipur for a visit, but then ultimately settled down on Bangalore-Ranganathittu-Chamundi Hills-Bangalore circuit.



It was not our first visit to either place, but just zeroed in on them more as a drive.

The decision was made at 9 and we started from Bannerghatta Road a little after 10. The Nice road toll booth had just one vehicle, and the low traffic stayed with us through the day.

Nice road:


Mysore road had much reduced traffic woes:





We made good progress and reached Right-O Food Court after Mandya by 12:15.

UpSouth special combo:


Veg By Nature channa bhatura:



After the hearty meal, we resumed our drive and reached Ranganathittu by 1:00.


Needless to say, morning is the best time to visit.

Salim Ali Interpretation Center inside the sanctuary:





A partial list of the species in the sanctuary:



Another "friendly" inhabitant:



I didn't know the names of some of the birds I clicked, but then friends and Google didn't let it stay that way for long.

Coppersmith barbet, juvenile:





Just a painted stork and some rocks:


Right? Right?



View from Maharaja Tower:





A couple of painted storks joined their friend on the rock:







Underwater friends:

[darklord]

"Is there anything interesting here?"





Red-whiskered bulbul:







Black-crowned night heron:





Trying to blend in:



Crowded:





The stealthy and the flashy:



Great white pelican:





Tickell's blue flycatcher:







The friendly:


The not so friendly:



Great white pelicans and Eurasian spoonbills:



Kaveri:



Building nest?



Great white pelican:

[darklord]

Added colors:







Rose-ringed parakeet displaying some acrobatics:





Eurasian spoonbill:



A stream that runs through:


A bridge over the stream:



Curious:



Loner:



Maintaining periscope depth:



Socializing:





Little cormorants:



Home is where the heart is:



“Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”



Respite:





Some more colors:







Striped Tiger:



"We won't wilt, we have an umbrella"



The lotus pond:





The lunch break for boating is from 1:30 to 2:30. We were not keen anyway to go on a boat trip in the noon.

At about 3, we decided to drive to the next destination, Chamundi Hills.

[darklord]

Half an hour later, we reached the base of Chamundi Hill.



The old watch tower on the way up:


View from the tower:



We reached the temple and saw that it was fairly crowded and that there was a long queue for darshan. A ₹30 quick darshan ticket lived upto its name and we were out in 30 mins.







We then decided to drive back after a quick stopover at the Nandi Temple.

A view from an impromptu stop on the way to Nandi Temple. Race Course can be seen:



A little fellow whom I met there. Can't ID though:



A small minivet male:





Another quick shot from a proper view point:



At the Nandi Temple:





A laughing dove near the temple:



We reached the base of the hill at 6 p.m. and had a quick bite:


We started from Mysore at 6:15 and decided to go via Kanakpura. The traffic was sparse, but there is a couple of KM of unpaved road in Bannur and road widening happening after Malavalli, so one side of the road is dug up. Despite this, we reached Nice road exit by 9, wrapping up the 11-hour 340 km trip.

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by darklord

Initially, I thought of taking her to Bandipur for a visit, but then ultimately settled down on Bangalore-Ranganathittu-Chamundi Hills-Bangalore circuit.

Thanks a lot for sharing. The pictures are amazing and reminds me of my visit to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. There is something tranquil about these places. The different sounds of the nature induce a relaxation mode in most of us. While I'm not aware of most birds and animals in the wild, I do like to see them in their natural habitat. Thanks for including the names of the birds as well in your report.

Here's the only pic I took at the entrance of the park. I gave up taking pics after I realised my camera phone was inadequate and just took the sights in.

[rajathv8]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

reminds me of my visit to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Did the painted stork nesting on the tree remind you of Bharatpur?

Bharatpur was the first ting that came to my mind when I saw that image. I spent two blissful days in the Sanctuary. Ahh... the silence, sights and good food.
Bharatpur is much much larger though. I love these nature places. I have been to lovely Mysore a billion times but have never taken the turn towards Ranganathittu yet. TBD.

Thanks for sharing

[AutoIndian]

Originally Posted by darklord

We started from Mysore at 6:15 and decided to go via Kanakpura. The traffic was sparse, but there is a couple of KM of unpaved road in Bannur and road widening happening after Malavalli, so one side of the road is dug up. Despite this, we reached Nice road exit by 9, wrapping up the 11-hour 340 km trip.

Super photography there darklord , thoroughly enjoyed each and every click. Your apt captions for each picture made it all the more engaging. Wish you can do many more such trips and treat us with such wonderful picturesque travelogues