Weekend postcards: Harmonious flight of the free willed avian (Greater Sand Plovers)!

Mumbai becomes home to many migratory bird species during the months of October through March. The moderate climate of the city brings these graceful species to make this otherwise concrete city their home. It is a great opportunity for the Mumbaikar to experience few harmonious nature moments (if we choose to do so)!

Greater Sand Plovers are a rare vagrant from Western Europe that have been found in lands as far as North America. They are known to migrate to warmer land during winters to breed.

A flock of Greater & Lesser Sand plovers rhythmically burst into a flight while many others continue to stay on course their food hunt at the sand flats of Navi Mumbai. 

The Plovers breed in the semi-deserts of Turkey and eastwards through Central Asia. They nest in a bare ground scrape. This species is strongly migratory, wintering on sandy beaches in east Africa, south Asia and Australasia.

Family Outing Tip:

Watching these beauties busy and in flight is truly a sight to behold. S2S suggests you pack a flask of steaming hot coffee, some sandwiches and a good set of binoculars for an impromptu picnic by the creeks of Mumbai. Lay out a picnic mat, put on that sun hat and enjoy the beauty around this natural habitat.

We spent the most amazing February morning with my son and my school friends who were visiting us from other parts of the world. 

More on the avian kinds at S2S Chronicles:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Blurring reflections, the storks flight
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from kaziranga- spreading her wings

I will share more weekend postcards of this trail over the next few weeks along with destinations where you can venture for these exciting brakes in the otherwise mundane Financial Capital of India.

Xoxo,

S2S

Postcards from kaziranga- spreading her wings

A darter is busy drying its wings by the water bay while a stork prepares for its flight. Both birds look like they are mimicking the other but clearly both have very different plans.

The diverse density of the avian kind makes #Kaziranga an attractive destination for Bird-lovers.

A few more postcards of the avian kind can be followed on the next few links:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Blurring reflections, the storks flight
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Also, do read the Kaziranga Trails through the rest of the postcards in this series:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S 

Postcards from Kaziranga: Blurring reflections, the storks flight

#Hunting for its last meal of the day, a #stork gazes into the water in anticipation of a quick catch.

Patient and leisurely safari's along the various topographies of #Kaziranga bring alive the habitat of the jungle fot its enthusiasts. If you are a keen observer of wildlife, particularly birds, then this is the jungle for you.

#Sunsets are the most beautiful moments along the water bodies of this sanctuary. We spend a couple of hours watching different birds and their style of fishing on one of the evenings. The grace and beauty of these avians is beyond breathtaking and stunning!

A few more postcards of the avian kind can be followed on the next few links:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Also, do read the Kaziranga Trails through the rest of the postcards in this series:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S 

Postcards from Kaziranga: Mother rhino & her calf

Baby rhino's are slightly more adventurous compared to the adult. Though equally laid back, the playfulness in the little calves make it a sight to behold.

The pregnancy of a Rhino lasts for 18 months post which the calf stays with the mother for about another 3 years. Male calf tend to go solitary earlier than the female. Each pregnancy yeilds one baby, hence the precious baby demands nurturing that is naturally 'solitary'. The Rhino Mum is known to care for her baby until they move onto finding their own territory in the jungle. It is a known fact the mother mates only after her calf moves on before which she only cares for the baby.

It is believed that more and more rhinos need to reproduce and allow for the calves to mature into healthy adults in order to save this species from extinction. The long pregnancy cycle followed by even longer caring cycles suggests a slow reproduction cycle but it is evident that this species help in maintain the flaura-fauna and balance of its habitat in a big way.

Poaching of this animal for its horn is the most common reason for driving them to extinction.

More on the Rhino's in some more postcards. Meanwhile don't miss the earlier ones!

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river
• Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat 

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: One horn rhino in its water-full, rich-green habitat

#Kaziranga National Park is green, after-all the land is soaked in water and has rich soil. It is the perfect habitat for the wild and that's something thriving in plenty in this topography.

This park is popularly known for its dense habitat of the #Rhino family. While you may find them spread out throughout the landscape and at a distance, getting up close and studying them in their being is quiet a captivating experience.

#Rhinoceros are bulky, big and quiet possessive of their own- whether its their calf or their mud puddles or simply their patch of green grass...they strike hard! Apart from the avian kinds (the ones that hover around them all the while pecking on food from their skin) they do attack anyone who stalls their peaceful space.

They can eat for hours together and then soak in water for even longer... These guys represent the word 'laid-back' with full authority!

More on the Rhino's in some more postcards. Meanwhile don't miss the earlier ones!

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,

S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Indian wild elephant herd cross over from one end of a river to the other in the dense Kaziranga jungles.

Kaziranga National Park has a healthy population of Indian wild elephants, sometimes seen in herds of nearly 200 at a time. Thanks to the moderate conditions combined with availability of enough food supports the growth and survival of these mamals.

We spend numerous memorable moments stalking this grand elephant herd. The baby elephants particularly caught our fancy, after all they are playful and so protected. Watching the wild in its own habitat indeed is addictive!

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose

A flock of bar headed goose make a fashionable landing at one of the stunning water ramps of Kaziranga National Park.

Did you know: 

Flight of the Bar-headed Goose is known to have recorded flight heights of more than 7,000m (23,000ft). This is the only species of birds that have been seen flying over Mount Everest quiet effortlessly. Bar-headed goose have fascinated biologists for decades. They achieve physiological feats that seem impossible - flying at extreme altitude, where there is less than 10% the oxygen found at sea level.

Kaziranga National Park is recognised as one of the premium birding zones in Asia. It is believed that nearly 478 species of birds flock this land which includes 40+ endangered bird families.

November through March are the peak migratory seasons and likelihood of spotting some rare birds is highly likely. If you happen to be a Bird enthusiast do make sure to have a good naturalist accompany you for your safari, ask for the East Zone safari and do check on the Bird Trail with breakfast, a must do while at Kaziranga.

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food

Stalking for food!

‪#‎Kaziranga‬ is home to a numerous variety of birds. Sunsets are few of the most romatic times around this wilderness. Watching the wild in their own habitat, existing peacefully with the other and letting another day dissolve into peaceful new night makes me wonder...why are we humans always rushing?

Perhaps we are chasing beyond just food!!! :)

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning

Beginning from this series, I will share a daily postcard from Kaziranga to share nuances of our travel through this aesthetics state of India.

As the warm sun rays caress the cold flowing river we watched the mist lifting off Diphlu River.

Early mornings are a sight to behold. The fresh air loaded with the fragrance of wet mud and steaming hot cups of tea make it the perfect waking up experience. Of course, if you get to feel the mist lift off the cold water surface as the sun kisses earth, the feeling of 'PERFECT' moves to 'STUNNING & PERFECT'!

Here are pastel shades captured through my lens on the first early morning at Kaziranga.

The tranquil flow of water against a layer of escaping mist, I felt blessed to have experienced this beautiful phenomenon.

Also, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel
• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Kaziranga Trails: our first North East India travel.

In the midst of a cluttered and chaotic Mumbai evening (classic scene from a regular workday), Satya and I decided on our Diwali break. Spoilt for obvious choices spanning few exotic International Destination to Luxury Indian holidays the heart didn't feel content with any of these options. Almost all tabloid shouted out plastic packages that were more than a put off- one size fits all strategy!

Having had a year full of jungle explorations the need to be in the wilderness was a common emotion between us. Like that wasn't enough, I blurted out my childhood dream...Kaziranga! A classic recall from the Geography Text Book, the one horn Rhino positioned in the middle of the page with big bold text 'ASSAM' marking the heading of the chapter. Vaguely, this chapter always attracted me. A memory etched deep in my being, now was a let out secret.

Geography Text book comes alive!

Destination Kaziranga

The obvious emotion one would feel looking at the transit hours was to drop this destination; out of sheer laziness OR in a valid case- shorter holiday time.
Collectively during that evenings research our unanimous choice was to take the plunge. We booked ourselves on a early morning Mumbai-Guwahati (via Kolkata, a 45 minutes stop over) flight. The travel search dissolved into  stay and we stumbled upon a quaint resort on the banks of Diphlu river. The stilt cottages and Trip Advisor clearly helped us make our choice. We further nailed it when we spoke with the resort and they offered an Innova pickup at Guwahati Airport. A 4 hour picturesque drive was all it takes to get to the final destination.

Glimpses of Diphlu- The lotus pond, a sky full of exotic birds and the fluttering prayer flags disperesed arourn the property.

All set for the 1st safari at Kaziranga.

Effectively a whole day of transit but it is all truly worth the effort!

First glimpses of the jungle: Mid Zone

We reached Diphlu in pitch dark of the night. It must have been 9:30PM when we finally entered the resort. A quick fresh-up followed by dinner was all we did that day. Owing to our 6:30AM safari the following day we had to hit bed at the earliest. Being in the extreme east zone of India, mornings touch you at least an hour and a half earlier. Was definitely a pattern that required getting used to! :)

All set up and ready on time the next morning we approached the patrol tower when the morning sun had just about begun lending its warmth to land. This land is unique. Largest proportion of this land is layered with miles and miles of water. The river and its tributaries are spread far and wide, hence making the land rich with plantation as well as wildlife.

The crisp Kaziranga morning. 

While we waited for our permission slip to arrive we dwelled over to the corner where the river bed was busy with the morning fishermen activity. The most unique sight to hold was to watch the mist lift off from the moving river water.

Watching the mist lift as warm sun-rays caress the cold flowing river.

Fishermen at work: 5 bamboos tied up with jute rope and it is ready for the one man show!

Smell of fresh clear air, a 10 degree nip in the air making you want to sip innumerable cups of steaming hot chai and the lifting mist; it was nature's flirtatious ways of making you fall in love, in love with mother nature and her mystic creations! Who wouldn't want to dwell here forever?

Finally the gates were ready to open for our much awaited elephant safari that will now take us into the core. Having chased tigers so far, 3 of us were quite calm on this one least expecting that even Rhino spotting would need us to scout deep and wide!

Stay tuned for the next few posts that will liven up the Rhino escapade and rural Assam.

Unfolding the One Horn Rhino escapade- next up!

Until then, do read about the other Kaziranga Postcards, memories collected during the North East India explorations:

• Postcards from Kaziranga: As the mist lifts, display of the rising morning
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Stork stalking food
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Bar-headed goose
• Postcards from Kaziranga: Indian wild elephant, stalking the herd while they cross a river

Hope you enjoy this trail.

Xoxo,
S2S

Ranthambore Chronicles: Trailing Krishna till the Rajbaugh ruins.

After all the fun and frolic with her cubs, it was time for business. Krishna set off from the beautiful water front towards the hilly terrains of the jungle. As she crossed our gypsy she gave us that 'do not mess with me' look and moved quiet rapidly towards the thorny slopes while her cubs began venturing further off from the mother.

KRISHNA WALKS TOWARDS OUR GYPSY

SHE WADES THROUGH THE LAKE FRONT

BEGINS HER ONWARD CLIMB OF THE HILLY TERRAIN

BUT DECIDES TO GIVE US THAT KILLER LOOK

SIZING US UP WHILE SHE MAKES HER WAY TO THE HILLS

As Krishna kept climbing she let out some low growls at short intervals following which her cubs would either respond to her by a growl back or ensure that they got into her range of eyesight, perhaps smell!

When she came closer to her resting point she let out quiet a panic in the otherwise sonorous wild. There was a stage when we could see her climbing one part of the hill and as she did that the barking deer let out an alert on the other side of the hill following which there was a trail of dust let loose by the escaping deer herd. Witnessing such commotion of the wild was indeed an experience we had never had...

APPROACHING THE SIDE WHERE THE DEER PEACEFULLY GRAZE GREEN GRASS

CHAOTIC RUN TOWARDS SAFER TERRAINS

We trailed her through winding roads and thanks to the precision of our guide were positioned at vintage points to the tigress. She found herself a cool shade to retire for the next hour while she gazed intently at the herd of deer at a distance. Patiently we stayed with her watching all her moves while the Tiger Toothpick bird kept entertaining us with her funny moves.

KRISHNA OBSERVING A HEARD OF DEER FROM HER RESTING ZONE

THE ATTENTIVE DEER CONTINUE TO GRAZE WITH SOME OCCASIONAL CAUTIOUS LOOKS

KRISHNA DOZES OFF FOR A BIT

SHE WAKES UP & LETS OUT A CALL TO HER CUBS

FUNNY MR. TIGER TOOTHPICK SCHEMING SOME MOVES

GIVES A GAZE TO THE RESTING TIGER 

Mid-way through we needed to break the monotony and decided to explore the area's surrounding the lake to look out for her cubs. At this stage we discovered the incredible ruins and a couple of her cubs resting and playing midst the thorny shade.

ONE OF THE CUBS CONTINUES TO EXPLORE THE ZONE AT A CAUTIOUS DISTANCE FROM THE MOTHER

ONE MORE OF THE CUBS LAZES UNDER THE SHADE

When we returned towards Krishna we realised that she was up again and moving towards the Rajbaugh ruins. We quickly maneuvered our vehicle towards the picturesque Rajbaugh just in time to see the beast cross over from the thorns to the water. She seemed to give us a knowing look as she made her majestic walk towards the water body.

THE INVITING RAJBAUGH RUINS

KRISHNA MEASURES THE DISTANCE

SHE LOOKS READY TO TAKE THE WALK

GIVES US THAT FAMILIAR LOOK

BEGINS HER WALK TOWARDS THE WATER BODY

DOWNWARD CLIMB, THE LAST TIME WE SEE HER SO UP CLOSE!

The sight we captured was simply beyond breath-taking. My dream of watching the tiger amidst the ruins and its jharoka was somewhere coming true. She tactfully waded the water body and crossed over to the other side. She waited at the water edge for a few minutes, gave us a gaze back from the distance and slowly disappeared towards the direction of the ruin.

KRISHNA CROSSING THE WATER TO GET TO THE RUIN

TOURISTS FROM VARIOUS ANGLES GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BEAST.

THE FINAL LAP AS SHE FINALLY DISAPPEARS INTO THE TALL WILD GRASS

As luck would have it, we were at a distance from this beautiful structure and given that I had a basic lens was unable to capture the majestic view of the tigress in her fortress. However, at this stage I just kept my camera aside and enjoyed the show to my fullest desire.

GREEN PARROT AMIDST THE BEAUTIFUL JUNGLE TERRAIN

A BIRD MAKERS HER FLIGHT OVER THE LAKE.

FROM THE DUCK FAMILY, I FORGET HER NAME!

LANGOORS COOLING OFF AT A DISTANCE

Heading back to the hotel, obviously enamored by the show we witnessed, was a reluctant return. All through the drive our Naturalist & Driver just wouldn't stop boasting of our day to every other passing fellow gypsy. Watching the 2 men beaming only reassured us that the tigress and her cubs had indeed been kind by letting us in to their moments, quiet graciously to that!

Frankly, I fell in love with the beast once more. They are truly the 'King of the jungle'! :D

Until the next story, signing off...

To read on the entire #Ranthambore trails, follow through these links:

• Ranthambore Chronicles: The royal orange Ranthambore morning
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Peacock blues amidst the rustic hues
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Zone-3 is all about mystic ruins, water bodies and the wild.
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Meeting Krishna and her 3 cubs
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Trailing Krishna till the Rajbaugh ruins

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual         

Ranthambore Chronicles: Meeting Krishna and her 3 cubs

15 minutes into our first Ranthambore Safari we were in for the time of our lives! We had just begun commenting and soaking in the graceful dance of tall jungle grass that swayed against the backdrop of water and hills. The play of nature was beyond compare.

MOVEMENT AGAINST THE SWAYING GRASS FOLIAGE, WE SPOT OUR FIRST CAT.

Suddenly, in a split of a moment, a few of us spotted a patch of moving stripes. Guess it was the odd move of black n yellow against the green velvet grass-bed that caught our attention. In no time, she emerged. Krishna revealed herself to the open grass bed clearly inspecting the morning air. She stretched her limbs, moved a few strides and sat herself down near the tall grass foliage while some of the water birds did a cautious distance adjustment. After all, the cat did make her presence felt!

KRISHNA SITS HERSELF DOWN ON THE VELVET GREEN PATCH TO INSPECT HER SURROUNDING. 

Our naturalist, Satish Upadhyay undoubtedly one of the best in his craft, informed us that Krishna is not alone. She is trailed by her 3 cubs and they will emerge in the open soon. We were too excited about spotting our first cat and were totally trigger happy, almost like we were in a time wrap! As this happened, 3 young cubs playfully emerged out in the open and completely livened up the scene. The mother continued to sit around while the 3 playful cubs leaped, jumped, chased, purred, rolled and flaunted themselves against their estate.

SLOWLY HER CUBS EMERGE OUT OF HIDING AND LIVEN UP THE SCENE WITH THEIR PLAYFUL ACT.

FINALLY THE WHOLE FAMILY CAPTURED IN A SINGLE FRAME.

As we continued to enjoy this scene many more safari jeeps began to pile up where we were parked. The excitement just kept on rising among fellow tourists, most of whom seemed to be professional photographers and film makers. After a good 20 odd minutes of playfulness, the family began walking towards our gypsies. The moment of excitement was absolutely indescribably euphoric. All of us got ready to capture the next few eventful moments with this happy young family romping towards us.

FINALLY THE FAMILY BEGINS THEIR WALK TOWARDS OUR GYPSIES.

THE TIGER STRIDES CAUTIOUSLY PACED, EVALUATING EACH GYPSY IN SIGHT.   

SCHEMING THEIR DAY WHILE THEY MOVE TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF RAJBAUGH RUINS

One by one, each majestic cat crossed our jeeps while they continued to entertain us with their playfulness. Experiencing the tiger family on the 1st drive itself was a memory etched in our minds for this lifetime. Here are some more shots from this part of the morning. Enjoy your browse while I move on to write the family story that unfolded in the 2nd half of the morning.

TRAINING THE CHARGE THROUGH PLAY.

LEARNING THE PLAY OF SOUNDS

MULTIPLE MOODS OF THE TIGER FAMILY

QUENCHING HER THIRST

THE TIGER LEAP!

AS THEY JOURNEY TOWARDS THE 2ND HALF OF THE MORNING...

We continued to trail this family until late morning but from this point on the family disintegrated. Each tiger cub chose a safe distance from the mother to explore the territory while the mother continue to map her zone with multiple rests and strolls.

Read more on #Ranthambore in the following few blog posts.

• Ranthambore Chronicles: The royal orange Ranthambore morning
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Peacock blues amidst the rustic hues
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Zone-3 is all about mystic ruins, water bodies and the wild.
• Ranthambore Chronicles: Trailing Krishna till the Rajbaugh ruins

You may also find the story on 'Queen of Damdama- #Bandhavgarh' an interesting read. We almost encountered 3 cubs and the young mum but had to be satisfied with just Hiami and her presence. :)

Signing-off...

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spititual