Boom Boom Baboon

What’s up friends? hope you all are enjoying the variety offered by us, from various trip reports to birds, animals and some time off track visit to a place like Delhi. The variety is unmatched because we cover places across the Globe. The word Globe reminds me of my Kenya diary so I was searching something different hence I thought a lot and finalized Baboon for today’s topic. You must be thinking why Baboon? Its monkey family only what is different? Yes, it is a type of monkey only but is different in many aspects, it is found in the region of Africa or Arabia, which I am sure not many us are even aware. Many such reasons are there to know about Baboons hence today let me take you to Kenya once again, let’s set fly to Baboon’s home.

Entry to the Baboon’s zone

Before I start with detailing let me tell you small information on what we noticed during Masai visit. The experience with Baboon will always be different from the other animals because of the bonding of Baboon with its newborn is unmatched from others. It really touches your heart when you see the kind of care they take. The bond between mother and infant baboon is very special. The mother carries the young until he or she is able to ride on her back. They are in constant contact for the first few months, and the mother is very attentive. They are allowed to interact and play with others only when they reach around 4 years. We tried our best to bring you some pictures showing such bond, do visit DSLR section, now let me update you on basic details of Baboons and then will share some unheard facts as well. 

The Basics of Baboon

There are five species of baboons. The two most common species, olive baboons and yellow baboons, live in East Africa. Guinea baboon is the smallest baboon species, while the Chacma baboon is the largest

Baboons are primarily vegetarian, however; they will eat insects, and occasionally fish, birds and small mammals

Baboons are social primates who tend to live in groups of around 50 individuals (groups can be up to 300 though!

Females tend to give birth every other year. They usually have one infant and their gestation period is 6 months

Male baboons are two times larger than females. Baboons can reach 14 to 30 inches in height at the shoulder and 50 to 100 pounds in weight

Baboons have a long, dog-like muzzle and strong jaw equipped with sharp canines

Baboons are territorial animals that will aggressively defend their territory and family against other baboons and predators

Their principal predators are Nile crocodiles, lions, hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs. They are considered a difficult prey for the leopard, though, which is mostly a threat to young baboons

Unheard Facts 

Baboons are very strong animals and have sharp canine teeth similar in length to lions

Baboons have a range of different vocalizations for communicating with each other. Over 30 distinct vocalizations including grunts and screams are used in addition to a plethora of non-vocal gestures such as shrugging and lip smacking

The baboon was revered in Ancient Egyptian culture, being admired for its intelligence. The baboon was also the symbol of the god Thoth  and was sometimes depicted as a guardian of the dead in the underworld

They can raid human dwellings, and in South Africa, they have been known to prey on sheep and goats

Baboons in captivity have been known to live up to 45 years, while in the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years

A Message of the Day - 

Do not pollute the water, land, or air, or in the future, we will face despair

Keep the trees and the bees, clean water, and the otter, or disappointed will be your son and daughter

Author:

BT Wild Art
Life is Safari. Enjoy it.

DSLR

Night Raven - Night Heron

Dear readers, I hope you have enjoyed the summer vacation with your family but considering the heat outside it is difficult to take the family to places apart from the hill station. Hence would suggest if you did not plan a visit to the forest this time, you may consider the month of October or November which will treat you with lovely greenery and pleasant weather conditions. Please feel free to contact btwildart@gmail.com for planning the wilderness.

From the past few weeks, we saw various trip reports where learning was kept aside hence today let me take you back to the learning track. Therefore, to decide the topic I open my memory world and decided to introduce a unique bird which is different from others with its behavior. Normally we have seen some nocturnal animals like hyena and Wolf but never heard about a nocturnal bird which is unique in itself hence I decided to go for Night Heron, let us move to the next section to explore the bird in detail. 

The Nightlife 

In general, it is known as Nycticorax derived from the Greek for “Night Raven.” It refers to Night Raven because of nighttime hunting habits and their harsh crow-like call that is uncommon in birds; they hunt at night or early morning then rest during the day. This bird is also known as black-crowned night heron because of the croaking crow-like call. Apart from hunting, the facts of these birds are interesting as well; some of them are mentioned hereunder for your learning.

Some regions of the world refer to the Black-crowned Night Heron by an onomatopoeic name – for example in the Falkland Islands it is called a “Quark,” in the Netherlands, it’s called a “Kwak,” and so on

Young Black-crowned Night Herons will vomit up the contents of their stomachs as a defense mechanism

Black-crowned Night Herons will often nest with other species of birds such as other Herons, Ibises, and Egrets. They will even care for chicks from other species if they are placed in their nests

The Black-crowned Night Herons may have evolved their nocturnal feeding habits in order to avoid competition from other species of birds

The Q&A

Apart from the unique facts, you have some questions regarding routines of such species hence providing you these details in Q&A form

How they look? I mean appearance

Black crown and back, white belly, white or yellow face, red eyes, yellow legs, and long white plumes on back of the head. The appearance will be clearer when you visit the Photoshop section

How do they feed?

They may attract fish by dipping their bill into the water and vibrating it rapidly, creating a disturbance in the water that mimics motions made by prey of the fish. Once they have caught prey, they shake their head rapidly, much like a dog, until the prey is stunned or killed. Being opportunistic eaters, they will also eat carrion, almost any kind of small animal, plant materials, and garbage at landfills

Are Night Herons social?

Black-crowned Night Herons tend to hunt on their own, but during the day will nest together in colonies. Colonies can have up to 12 nests in a single tree. These colonies have been known to carry on for more than 50 years

How fast do Night Herons fly?

Night Herons can fly up to 55km per hour

What food they eat?

They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. During the day, they rest in trees or bushes

A Message of the Day 

Do not pollute the water, land, or air, or in the future, we will face despair

Keep the trees and the bees, clean water, and the otter, or disappointed will be your son and daughter

 Author:

BT Wild Art
Life is Safari. Enjoy it.

The Photoshop

Glorious memory - Rocking Ranthambore 2015

Hello buddies how are you all? Today is Saturday and time to think about the blog. While thinking social media came to my rescue to finalize the topic. Social media remains on target due to many reasons and it is always debatable that it is useful or useless. Nevertheless, for good purpose it is always fruitful this is what I feel and for people like us, it is a blessing because we utilize social media to spread awareness to the public at large. Now let me tell you why I used word rescue, while I was thinking what to offer now after such fantastic Corbett experience suddenly facebook reminded me of memory reminder of the past trip. I looked back to it and immediately went back to 2015. What a trip it was, so many reasons for which the trip is in heart as lifetime memory, these things started pinching my mind so I thought let me go back to 2015 and update you on memory lane. You will go crazy when you will know the details of this wonderful trip in the next section, so let us go fast to rocking land Ranthambore.

Rewind with the Blog

I wish we could go back to 2015 again or rewind the time so it can take me back there, the only tool that can drive you back to memory is BLOG, and definitely, with this blog all of us are going back to 2015 to revisit the wonderful time. So let me switch on the rewind button.

Around 12 unknown people gathered in a train, most of us were fresher and eager to sight a tiger, Saurabh was leading the trip for us, he introduced us and we did formalities and greeted each other and started a little bit talking on wildlife topic. You know why I am saying these small things because this is important to know how the trip started and how it ended then only you will be able to enjoy the story. Saurabh realize that we needed ice breaking else it will be difficult for all to enjoy the trip, so Mafiya game came into the picture to break the ice and it was successful attempt but yes something else was also required (I mean tiger).

Finally, we reached and got ready for the first encounter for afternoon safari, it was 1st safari so enthusiasm was high, and we all were fresher that time so hunger and enthusiasm both together was driving us even in 50 degrees but at the day end it was without luck but with so many valuable sighting. Meanwhile, we were checking out of forest, the first memory point clicked in, Ustad Tiger had killed one forest guard due to which sentiment changed and things went tends. With high tension, we ended the day and we went to sleep after healthy discussion and information sharing session from Saurabh.

Next day again gave us memory point with a great sighting of rock python you can refer sighting details on (https://btwildart.blogspot.com/2019/03/largest-snake-indian-python.html). In a very quick time, it was another memory point and one of the best because of guide Pankaj who was trying to keep us away from Tigress sighting by misguiding us but finally, he missed the sighting and we were the only group who were able to sight big tigress. Its human tendency that such things are remembered as a great winning. Our other car was still to see the tiger and day ended with some unique moments. Now we were ready for the third safari and eagerness and hunger was on high to see tiger head-on, let see how the third safari treated us, how dramatic it was and how just 10 minutes made us to a family from a stranger. 

Now it was time for evening safari with a lot of expectations to see tiger closely because day sighting was just a glimpse and that is too without a click. Safari in zone 6 we started with and time started running but we were unable to find the tiger. Due to no sighting, we were unable to understand what's going in mind our expert and what is he doing and on what basis he is taking a decision. We were fresher and hence we did not realize the efforts of expert, his hard work was rewarding let's see how. 

Suddenly at one point, he said wait here for some time and it should be complete silence, people in other gypsy moved ahead with their calculation in mind but Saurabh was like sorry we are not going anywhere. We did not understand why he is stopping here in 50 degrees, it was difficult for us to gage situation with few Sambars roaming around with no other movement. He explained the reason to wait and guess what suddenly we heard the loud call from Deers indicating the entry of Tiger and Sambars ran away. In less than 5 minutes we saw Noor a beautiful tigress was coming towards us, it was first sighting and that is so close and head-on. It was,s difficult to believe our luck, I got freeze for a while and was not able to click, the beauty of tiger literally hypnotized us, and by the time we normalize the second surprise was two cubs followed her one by one. I forgot for a moment that I have a camera with me, I was just enjoying the entry of 3 together and then started clicks after my freezing brain restarted. This moment none of us will forget because it was a jackpot for us, we saw them doing various activities like running around, playing with each other and following the mother’s direction. The drama continued for around 20 minutes, our other group came later on and managed a glimpse but missed what we had seen.  

The third safari also wrote a script for the last safari, the expert opinion said since there was a kill around the tiger family for sure will visit the place again at the same spot. We reached directly to the spot, it was bang on target, the family was there, and the similar drama continued for more than half an hour. This time none of missed the fun and sighting went on high on each one’s mind. 

The trip ended with unexpected jackpot hence it was like all the time these tigers were in our mind and everybody was visualizing it repeatedly, talking on and on about sighting and feeling was out of the world. The craziness reached to such a level that during the return journey we were like mad people in train. Remember what I said in the beginning about “The End” of our journey, the group that was silent 2 days back became violent (I mean crazy here). From the start to the end we were discussing various stupid topics and laughing loudly, pulling legs, planning for the next trip and god knows what all. Just one sighting and we strangers became family; the bonding is such that most of us are still doing trips together.

Now tell me who said we can’t visit those days which you had in the past, BT Wild Art has a time machine (The unique Blog Spot) which takes you right to the memory days. 

While writing I am visualizing each minute I spent with the group including the crazy discussion and off course the nickname I got from Milind Sir. 

After the story, you should check out the Deadly DSLR section to complete the cycle of memory lane. 

Vote of Thanks: The blog cannot end without a vote of thanks, the contribution of each one is crucial, without which the journey is incomplete

Experts

Saurabh and Team MT

As always, Lovely Co-Travelers

A Message of the Day - 

No life without Wildlife – Preserve it – Respect it – Enjoy it

Wildlife is Mother Nature’s greatest treasure; to protect it we must take every measure

Author:

BT Wild Art
Life is Safari. Enjoy it.

Deadly DSLR

Jadoo Nagari Corbett - Trip Report part II

Thanks so much for wonderful support; your love motivates me to deliver unique aspects all the time. I know you are waiting for part II today, you are eager to know the story of Tiger and many more wild animals, don’t worry you are going to get some fantastic pictures with one of its kind wilderness experience. So get set go directly to jadoo nagari to meet lovely animals.

Catch me if you can – Its patience which matters

The title hints towards the kind of chase we had in search of the King, yes it was not like cakewalk this time but at the same time it was full of fun and memorable because as a human tendency the rewards out of efforts are more memorable then easily earned rewards.

This time tiger gave tuff time as it played hide and seek with us, from day 1 itself calling and pugmarks hinted us the directions but we remained without luck for the first couple of safari. After putting a lot of efforts, in one evening we were like without luck and with shoulder down thinking that once again we are close to the tiger but with no luck. There were calling around but without result, we were in two different gypsy one with Saurabh and one with me, an expert had decided that he will not move from the place. Now it was time for us to take a decision whether to stay there with the little beat of heat or to move towards grassland for elephants. There was no consensus because I was not convinced to move to grassland, my thoughts were in line with my Guru Saurabh. According to him, tiger sighting is patience game the movement you gave up, you will end up giving chance. With this thought process I told everyone that we are not going anywhere, it is just a matter of 2 minutes hence we should not move anywhere. Drive Mashroor who is expert as well also agreed and said firmly “Sir I am not taking you anywhere, we will stay here itself till the time tiger is coming out.”

Since we both were not ok with the movement we all decided to wait there, within 5 minutes suddenly we heard the loud call from deer that hinted the entry of Tiger. Immediately we rush towards other cars and guess what! The moment arrived, it was 8 months old cub of grassland female that came out of the dense area in front of us, it was like it just came out to provide few clicks like a movie star and walked away in style. Even though it was only 5 minutes sighting but it was amazing because it came after a lot of efforts and after a long wait of 3 safaris. This is why “Its patience which matters.” So whenever you visit forest don’t hurry upon here and there, you will surely win. After tiger, it was Elephant's to entertain us, let's see how interesting elephant can be

The Tuskers

Apart from tiger and landscapes, the main attraction of Corbett is Tuskers or you can say herds of elephants and its activities. You can always find herds moving towards grassland or towards the water to manage the heat. Mud bathing or water bathing is one of the best activity you can ever see. You will be surprised to know that the best moment was elephant activity for us instead of any other sighting so let me tell you the reason for the same as well.

On one evening safari, we were on route to Sambhar road, a favorite road of elephants for traveling towards the river. We reached especially to see the passing so as we can enjoy the display of bathing. We saw the herd with 8-10 elephants with one very small baby, elephants are known for their protective behavior especially care towards the babies. While passing they were making sure that small one is covered between the biggies but you know how baby behaves. The best award winning moment goes to the baby elephant for its innocence. You know how kids are; their innocence and curiosity are unmatched. Similarly, a baby elephant was curious and wanted to lead the herd. The little one was trying to cross the leader with its small cute baby steps and reached very close to the leader but the moment leader notice that baby is trying to go ahead it pulled back baby with just one small punch through the leg. This moment was so funny that we were unable to control ourselves from laughing. This happened twice with baby, this was as if parents shouting on a kid to behave properly and follow the order.  the herd remained busy with water bathing which was memorable and opportunity fir clicking lovely pictures. Apart from this funny time, we also observed elephants in huge grassland that offered amazing photo opportunity. Do visit the DSLR section to experience the wilderness.

And the madness

Along with sighting, we were enjoying our trips like anything that rewarded us with some wonderful memories; one of them is the Head-On story, which Nitin will never forget 😅. His aim was to get everything head-on especially after sighting the tiger the excitement of head-on was on high. With head-on in the head, we were trying our luck to find Parwali famous tigress (without fail head-on only). However, while tiger search was on we invested little time with head-on Wild Boars. I know you want to know what happened next but for a further story on what happened, you need to contact Nitin. To know the result please reply with your guess to me either on the blog or on email btwildart@gmail.com). The excitement of head-on was again a fun, be it a tiger or not but the fantastic time with such lovely travelers unmatched, whenever we will talk about Corbett this madness will surely bring a big smile on our face.  

Our madness continued till the end even during the checkout time, while we were busy in taking group pictures and profile pictures of each other, the monkeys interrupted us. It was like a message to us that common people stop taking pictures of humans, we are more attractive. They were playing with each other, throwing each other from a tree and jumping all around. Trust me this was a treat to watch and capture them, we realize that yes we should take pictures of animals/birds and not of humans, surely they are for sure more photogenic than humans.

The overall sighting for mammals stands like this: Tiger Cub, herds of elephants Hog deer, Sambhar deer, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boars, the jungle cat, macaque, languor and couple of crocodiles

Do experience the forest at your doorstep with a trip report and some lovely pictures. 

Vote of Thanks: The blog cannot end without a vote of thanks, the contribution of each one is crucial, without which the journey is incomplete

Experts

Saurabh and Team MT

As always, Lovely Co-Travelers

Safari expert - Gypsy Drivers Ansar and Masroor

Stay and Food – Dhikala Forest management 

A Message of the Day - 

No life without Wildlife – Preserve it – Respect it – Enjoy it

Wildlife is Mother Nature’s greatest treasure; to protect it we must take every measure

Author:

BT Wild Art
Life is Safari. Enjoy it.

Dhinchak Dhikala & Deadly DSLR