[nomadabhi]

There are 2 consecutive threads already running on Pench with amazing shots. So here’s the third one from my viewpoint in support of Dr.Abheek Ghosh to save wildlife.

Too vast, too pretty, in which there throbs all the unknown life of birds, beasts, and reptiles. A world of their own upon this earth of ours, a different world, with its own habits, its fixed population, and its people who come and go, its voices, its sounds, and above all, its mystery. The barely noticeable noises, so light so gentle, yet at times, more terrifying than the thunder of man or of the Gods? Do these give it an appearance of some dreamland?

I never thought that a short 2 day trip to Nagpur for attending a friend's marriage would bring out so much, 100% of Oxygen, 100% of nature, 100% back to good old days of humanity.

It was meeting old friends, revisiting relatives and my beloved nephew. While booking the tickets, I had my other eye on "Magnificent Pench" thread which reminded me of my childhood visit to "Kanha" and a recent visit to "Madhai Churna".

By the time I knew, the travel bug has already bitten me and I end up calling Dr. Abheek to set up itinerary for pench.

23rd Feb evening Leaving from Mumbai (Vidharba Ex.) after long and hectic office day, tired but really excited.

Bye Bye to Urban Life



My 6125hp, 11crore Ride



24th Feb Morning Reached Nagpur, Visited relatives, attended marriage in eve.
The plan was to wrap up everything soon, leave for Pench on 25th Feb early morning with 3 of my other friends. All thoughts and excitement was accelerating in my mind throughout the marriage party and suddenly felt God laughing on my plans.

It started raining on 24th eve while returning home. Not but the least came to know that 2 of my friends will not be able to make it for trip. All of this after the reservations was done. Moreover, our mode of travelling was owned by one of the friend's who dropped off from plan.

Someone has truly said, 'Man proposes, God disposes'. But then someone else has also stated that, 'if one door closes, there are several more open'.

By this time got a call from Dr. Abheek stating that we will have to leave at least 4 in morning to catch the morning safari at right time. So I and the only remaining friend decided to make it to Pench at any cost (even if it has to be a night bike trip). Only problem was my luggage. With all things uncertain, finally at around 11 pm a car was arranged.

25th Feb Early Morning, for us it turned out to be 03:30AM. With less sleep we were happy to leave Nagpur towards Pench and reached right on time.

Khwasa Entry Point (Left Turn)



Reached to 'lallan bhojnalay' and was greeted by a humble person named 'Lallan'. He already had our morning safari passes ready with him. Without wasting any more time, we jumped into Gypsy.

Last gate to leave urban life behind



With the first gush of fresh air hitting our faces, our sleepy head took a toll as if mother nature has come herself to wake us and to make us notice her wealth closely.

Mother nature welcoming



The sun rose at length in front of us, bright red on the plane of the horizon, and in proportion as it ascended, growing clearer from minute to minute.

Mr. Sun, you are late. Today I woke up before you



Day broke, clear with a blue sky. The jungle seemed to awake, to smile. Some birds were singing high up in the air, while other birds piped in the bushes.
Out of our three safari rides, the first guide "Ramesh" was very knowledgeable. As soon as we entered the gates, only after few 100 meters came across the Tiger droppings (about 6 days old).

Sherkhan was here!



Hamara personnel Khoji (The Seeker)



Ramesh soon pointed us to a tree and showed us the jungle owl resting. It was in a total camouflage and no one can make it out. I wonder how Ramesh and Lallan noticed it. Lallan mockingly replied, "Sir, it always stays there". Now we know the secret.

Camoflauged



And as we went a bit ahead, Ramesh pointed out another species of bird. While we were tracking it, Ramesh hesitatingly asked if we are really interested in birds.

Me & My Friend 'Umesh': Ramesh bhai, we are here to watch it all, even
anything related to plants. Tiger ko aram karne do. Agar uska mood hoga to aa jayega humse milne. (Let the Tiger take rest and if it is interested to meet us, it will come)

Both Ramesh and Lallan were happy to know this and said that they enjoy such company more than those who keep nagging to see Tiger.

I was surprised to see 0% plastics and littering. Ramesh and Lallan updated us that all of waste (wrappers/papers) caused due to tourism is carried into the same vehicle/gypsy and if they see any wrapper/waste (mostly gutkha pouch) they pick it up on their way to trip.

By this time it was 11Am and we saw ourselves returning to the main gate. The first safari trip turned out to be more of bird watching and getting back close to humanity and Mother Nature.

More pics upcoming with rest of two more safari trips...

[nomadabhi]

Few more pics from our first safari (25th Feb 2011, Morning)









Next Migratary birds from Ladhak























and some censored pics here...

[ExtremeTorque]

Abhi, great start with some beautiful pics. How cold was it in Pench? Last time we were there, it was close to 7C. Rightly said, Pench and Bandhavgarh are being maintained really well with no plastics and a lot of decipline.

[fazalaliadil]

Abhi,
Thats a nice writeup and photographs, mark of a great thread in the making.
Pench is beautiful and has changed form a bit since my last visit, the low temp, was 4 degrees when we were there.
The photographs are sharp with nice saturation, what was the gear in use?
Looking forward to more....and more.
Regards,

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Abhi,
Thats a nice writeup and photographs, mark of a great thread in the making.
Pench is beautiful and has changed form a bit since my last visit, the low temp, was 4 degrees when we were there.
The photographs are sharp with nice saturation, what was the gear in use?
Looking forward to more....and more.
Regards,

@fazal bhai, thank you for your reply and appreciation. Actually after watching your pics, I was thinking if my pics would do justice to the wild life.
The gear I used was a bridge camera, 'Fuji HS10'. Used the ND4 at some places. But I must say that it was my first try with HS10 and wild life. Moreover, I am still a newbie with ISO/Aperture/Shutter but a fast learner.

[fazalaliadil]

Originally Posted by nomadabhi

@fazal bhai, thank you for your reply and appreciation. Actually after watching your pics, I was thinking if my pics would do justice to the wild life.
The gear I used was a bridge camera, 'Fuji HS10'. Used the ND4 at some places. But I must say that it was my first try with HS10 and wild life. Moreover, I am still a newbie with ISO/Aperture/Shutter but a fast learner.

Dear Abhi,
Your pics. posted already have done justice to your photographic skills and as far as Pench or any other forest or wildlife is concerned...I feel, no camera or photographer can justify or represent its beauty. We can only try.
What is the lens in use (focal length)?
Regards,

[VW2010]

I was thinking if my pics would do justice to the wild life.

The picture of the kissing parrots does enough justice to just capture that moment.

Holding a D3X or a 1d4 doesnt matter when you dont have the moment.

The simplest cameras can capture the wildest moments. And dont worry about your skills.

Thanks for sharing which many of us love to see and that does enough justice to the wildlife.

[nomadabhi]

@VW2010
As per the guide, they do so after they mate. The last one is rare to see and catch. Yes, I was lucky enough to be there to frame couple's love.

[Coooolcat21]

Very well written and superb pics. Nice to see more and more logs on wildlife.
@fazal Sir,
Its been rightly said by Abhi that the bench mark set by your log would make anyone nervous to start a log on pench.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

@abhi,
nice pic of kissing parrots, !!!

looking forward for more!!

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

@abhi,
nice pic of kissing parrots, !!!

looking forward for more!!

thaanku sir, good to see you. Give my regards to your family and as asked for, here is some more...

Some collection of flora

















Grassland





Survival of fittest (ghost tree making its way out of stone)



Withered roof



Signs of Oncoming summer





Serpent Eagle enjoying the view

[laluks]

the first pic from the last post is WOW

[nomadabhi]

Originally Posted by laluks

the first pic from the last post is WOW

nice to see a reply from you sir. Any plans for this year to kaas

[laluks]

Originally Posted by nomadabhi

nice to see a reply from you sir. Any plans for this year to kaas

September - We have plans to be at Masinagudi. So Kaas'd be missed :(

[abheekg]

Dear Abhi
It was a pleasure to host you and interact with you at Pench. Although you were here for a short while, I am sure this is a start of a long association for us.

Very interesting title to the writeup boss. Can I know what prompted you to title it thus.

Being very positive about wildlife conservation, I must say that with our collective efforts we will be able to conserve these sites for a long long time.

Amen !

Pray continue.

Dr. A Ghosh