Dandeli Trip Report 2

 

Thank you so much for blessing part one and now the time is for part two of the trip. I know that after the excitement of part one you are waiting to know the concept of hiding/studio birding and what all-new things we captured in part 2. 

Let me tell you that part 2 was equally fruitful with a lot of varieties which includes yummy food, very nice rooms, hide birding, and morning walk birding, and best amongst all “Flag hoisting” in for the first time within the forest with everyone. It was a proud moment to be there with people who work for nature and conservation, it came as surprise to us, with many memories, let me explain the same in detail in next section. 

Old magazine house

We reached Old Magazine House (OMH) from Kadumane to meet many more birds and to experience another type of variety. Here we experienced studio birding wherein the arrangement is such that limited space is allowed from where you can click pictures without disturbing birds by way of creating hide (checkout DSLR section). Though majorly it was a studio concept OMH also offers a wonderful area where you can walk across to try your luck to get tiger of OMH (Malabar Trogon) in its typical style. With fantastic part 1, the hunger to get unique moments went very high, but the question is did we got success? Let see the answer in the next episode of “HUM LOG”

Target Trogon

When you visit OMH and don’t see Trogon then it’s a big miss, we wanted to capture this beauty in a style but never expected that nature will surprise us in such a manner that you cannot demand anything more. Upon reaching, we saw people running and gathering to a particular spot in excitement, this gave us a hint that mostly it is our most wanted Trogon is there. We were yet to check-in so we were like we will miss the opportunity but staff knowing our anxiety and madness helped us to rush to the spot quickly. 

We rush to the place and saw Trogon was sitting on a tree in open giving various looks, this was not enough because we wanted a very close as well as display of typical orange color. In our prayers, we wanted Trogon with prey. Not sure how but prayer reached mother nature and the next day morning Trogon came in front of us with a lizard, the mind just got freeze and was not ready to believe that it is true, somehow we realize that yes it is true and we started clicking. Trogon quickly gulps its food but we too display our art to capture it with a kill, it was morning breakfast for Trogon and the opportunity was food for us as well. This was not the only moment, let's see what made us proud in the next section. 

Bharat Mata ki Jai

Another surprise for us was flag hoisting in our own jungle world, the celebration of republic day in forestland with people taking care of Mother Nature is nothing but a proud moment and absolutely lucky day of our life, it added more happiness when they invited Esmail Sir for the same. Say loudly “Jai Hind” before we move to the next section. 

Hide and Seek

OMH is known for hiding setup, as explained earlier you need to hide yourselves from birds, if you are successful in keeping silence and hide properly then birds count will take your happiness to a different level. We had only two sessions but still we were lucky to see countless birds with around 50 varieties of birds. 

The list includes - Rufous-bellied Eagle, Malabar Woodshrike, Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Indian Scimitar-Babbler, Indian Blackbird, Verditer Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, Asian Fairy-bluebird, Malabar Barbet, Malabar Parakeet, Indian Yellow Tit, Flame-throated Bulbul, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Indian White-eye, Puff-throated Babbler, Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher,  Asian Emerald Dove, Malabar Trogon, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Crimson Sunbird, Orange-headed Thrush, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama, Minivet, and many more………………….

Food Art

BT is not only about wild art but it is wild at art for food as well, so not a single trip will end without appreciating the local food offered to us. Here OMH offered Medu Wada, which is unmatched to other places, so soft, and testy you just cannot ignore, you just want more and more. The place also offered yummy food like Idly, Rasam, local sabzi with Aplam Papad, Shira, Upmma, etc and for non-veggies, it offered Fish (no comment on taste as I am pure veggie) 

Yet another successful trip ended with a bunch of memories and unique frames. Keep smiling, keep reading, keep nature clean and healthy for your next generation

I hope you liked this blog, keep blessing me and keep motivating me to deliver unique stuff, do let me know your feedback on btwildart@gmail.om

Vote of Thanks

Mumbai Travelers and Team – Many thanks, Saurabh, Jogi, and Pathamesh for managing the tour so smoothly, you guys are rocking, keep it up.

Co-Travelers  - Many thanks to all of you, it wonderful to have all as part of my memory book

Hotel stay – Part 2 of the journey was placed at OMH, a very well maintained Government managed place, supportive and helpful staff, special thanks to the chef for serving lovely and yummy food. 

BT Wild Art

DSLR Section

Malabar Trogon

Malabar Trogon

Malabar Trogon

Indian Giant Squirrel

Indian Giant Squirrel

yellow Browed Bulbul 

Flame Throated Bulbul

Asian Emerald Dove

Indian White Eye

White Rumped Shama

Asian Fairy Blue Bird

Brown Shrike

Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Orange-headed Thrush

Puff Throated Babbler

Velvet Fronted Nuthatch

White Bellied Blue Flycatcher

Jai Hind

Yummy Medu Wada

Yummy Lunch

The Hide