The Lesser Denizens Of Nagarhole Park

Travel Snippets, Wildlife, , , 89 Comments

In my excitement over the charismatic Mr. Leopard and the elephant family, I neglected to introduce you to the less elusive inhabitants of Nagarhole National Park

These creatures might not recieve prominent billing in the star cast of the jungle, but they are no less delightful, and we later regretted not spending enough time with them in our futile hunt for the tiger.

Next time. For now join me as I browse through some of my favourite shots from the trip (sans the top stars)DSC_1963 copyAn early morning safari through the mist shrouded jungle……..
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led us to enchanting creatures in the haze.
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Who didn’t seem too pleased to see us when it cleared!
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Nor did the Sambar we distracted from her mud bath.
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That evening we stopped a while to admire this delightful pair of  Langurs.
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We were reminded over and over again that this massive bovine is a Gaur, and NOT a Bison! (Wiki thinks otherwise!) And yes, those are Mynas on its back, and a peacock in the background.
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The handsome dude on the tree hadn’t bargained on attracting two legged brides and scuttled off in search of his less spectacular (than him!) mate.
DSC_2356 copyWhile this snooty serpent eagle looked least amused.    P1010043
The foolhardy Dhole did spare us a glance in between pestering a lone elephant many times his size!
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While these Imperial Green Pigeons, along with their Yellow Footed cousins were too preoccupied to give two hoots.P1010093 copy
My shots of the mongoose, the jungle fowl and the fox, I shall try and salvage for a motion blur challenge.

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Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander

89 thoughts on “The Lesser Denizens Of Nagarhole Park”

  1. Hi Madhu, nice post and beautiful pictures. I admire your writing and photography skills. Your post is simple, short and refreshing. Loved your homepage, it is perfectly designed. I’m glad that I came across your blog. Looking forward to your next post and keep up the good work.

    1. Thank you very much for the words of appreciation Anisha! Happy to ‘meet’ you 🙂

  5. Awesome shots of the animals esp. the unique, unique eagle and most esp. the deer in the haze. Looking at these creatures alone will make my day.

    1. There is something about seeing animals in the wild that is strangely satisfying. But I often wonder if they reciprocate the feeling or would much rather we left them alone!. Thanks Rommel.

  8. Thanks for giving me a glimpse of so many wonderful animals and birds, Madhu. What a joy it must be to go somewhere like this. You caught them all beautifully, as I expected you would. 🙂

    janet

    1. Thank you Janet. It felt amazing to be able to sight so many species in such a short time. My luck has never been great on previous trips.

    1. My first sighting of the species Judy. I found it intriguing that they were working together.

    1. Oh I missed mentioning the green pigeons in MP are full green. But becoming scarce – the locals call them ‘Hariyal’ 🙂

      1. Thank you Dilip. Have never seen fully green pigeons before! These were a first as well.

  12. Wow, you saw a lot of animals there. That gaur really is extremely muscled. It probably doesn’t even notice the birds riding on its back.

    1. Ah, have a grander safari planned for late September in the Serengeti LuAnn. Excited about that one 🙂

  14. Thanks so much for the fabulous trip, Madhu! Each photo brought more delight, and your commentary is just delightful (especially the “snooty eagle” remark :)) What an amazing experience you had.

  15. Beautiful photos, Madhu. I really enjoy seeing the places you have access to on your side of the world. 🙂

  16. How beautiful these wild animals… it’s always such a special pleasure to see around with the eyes of the photographer 🙂 For sure in your country are special places with a lot of wild fauna and flora…peacock you may found them in several parks in Europe too… but the dhole, I never saw him (look like a coyote or fox, and our pigeons (you surely saw them in Venice) are quite less coloured! The first one you pictured are deers?
    Hugs for a lovely week end :-)claudine

  17. Hail for the bandar-log! When we were living in Africa, our father would read us a chapter every night. Translating kipling into french. I followed the tradition with my girls. Look forward to see Rikki-tikki-Tavit.:)
    Have a lovelu week-end Madhu.
    Brian

    1. Thank you. You just might have to wait until my next trip. The reference to the motion blur meant I messed up all my Rikki Tikki Tavi shots and those of his spouse 😦

      1. Darn mongoose! So fast and swift, even the Naga only sees a blur! 🙂

    1. The mist added a touch of enchantment Patti. We were warned constantly that the tranquility wasn’t to be tested by getting out of the vehicle 🙂

  20. Wonderful sightings, Madhu. The Peacock is absolutely gorgeous, and the pigeons most unusual. I had to chuckle at the look on that Serpent eagle’s face. 🙂

    1. The birds were the hardest to capture, from inside a constantly vehicle and with not enough zoom power. Thanks Maya.

  22. Lovely captures from the park, Madhu. I have never seen green and yellow footed pigeons before, I’d love to have them here. A green one for Paula and I’ll take the yellow on. Would look nice on my balcony! 🙂
    Enjoy our weekend!
    Dina xo

    1. He he, wouldn’t they just! I just wish the common grey pigeons would abandon mine! 🙂 Thank you Dina. A great Sunday to you too.

  24. What a treat that must have been Madhu! Stunning captures and I enjoyed the visit so much! Thanks for sharing. 😀

  25. These are all so wonderfully captured, I wandered slowly through just marveling at all the denizens of the park. The deer in the mist were storybook perfect.

    1. Thank you Valentine. I can’t imagine how anyone can want to harm these creatures. But poaching is still a huge issue.

  26. Just the right pictures as I am re-reading my childhood Jim Corbett classics.. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.

    1. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts Paritosh. Just popped over to your site, and was impressed by your evocative images and words. Beautiful blog 🙂

    1. Ha, aren’t they cute? The Gaur is indeed a magnificent animal. We have seen larger ones in the Nilgiris. Happy Sunday Eric 🙂

  28. really beautiful – and I love the enchanting haze and then how it moves into all that color! 🙂

    1. Thank you Yvette. We should have ideally started even earlier to enjoy the mist and dawn light, but for some reason the authorities do not let us in before 06.00 am.

  29. I should have known that you would be a natural at nature photography, Madhu! Exquisite shots, love the colors of the great and beautiful creatures.

  31. How like our Lankan dry zone jungle this is, teeming with all the animals that used to graze the land routinely. I loved this drive with you through Nagarhole, oohing and aahing at the serenity that nature just going about its business can only achieve – and yes, impressed by that new camera of yours. Somehow I’ve got to save some money to buy a decent camera … Congratulations on so many terrific captures, Madhu. 🙂

    1. Thank you Meredith. The camera was OK, although I am beginning to feel the need for a full frame sensor. My 18-200 mm lens was pitifully inadequate for wildlife photography. We are going to the Serengeti later this year, but I cannot afford a new lens, especially one that I might not use very much later, so shall just have to make do 😦

      1. Well, that’s a bit of a pickle, dear. What a shame you couldn’t hire a lens just for the wildlife … Though if you had a more powerful lens perhaps you’d find more wildlife,and birds, to shoot … Then of course, there’s the money trees – lens ans Serengeti … Oh dear!

    1. It was my first time spotting so many in a matter of two days, so I was understandably excited. Happy Sunday Marina 🙂

  35. Trying to spot wildlife and getting those shots is a challenge in itself. The deer in the mist are lovely. I chuckled at the Motion Blur Challenge.We have some of those, too. 🙂

  36. Thanks for the ‘trip’, Madhu. I love your photos especially that of the deer in the mist. It is so dreamy.

    1. You are most welcome. The drive through the forest in the mist is rewarding in itself Imelda.

  38. Pingback: Thursday’s Special: Horizon | Lost in Translation

  40. 😆 I wouldn’t mind accommodating Imperial Green PIgeons on my balcony :D. I melt when I look at photos of animals. Thank you for the exciting tour Madhu and for the link. It is much appreciated 🙂

    1. I love them too! You can a green one and I take a yellow one. What about that, dear Paula? 🙂
      Klem, Dina

      2. Paula and I have a running joke about pigeons ever since she posted a photo of one pooping in her balcony! 😀

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