A Keralite by birth and wildlife photographer by hobby, I’ve never be able
to visit Thattekkad, a famous wildlife sanctuary, near Kothamangalam, 42
Kms from the Kochi International Airport. Its only of late that I got to
know this famous Birder cum Guide Mr.Eldhose, he led the path for my visit to Thattekkad.
I left Bangalore and reached Kochi on Wednesday evening, Kochi greeted me
with applause of rain. Watching the pit patter rain, a feeling of
Nostalgia, the by gone days crept back into my mind, I watched the rain as
a small kid and longed to play in the rain……
The next day after having a delicious lunch from my Aunts house who stays
in Kalamassery I started my journey to Thattekkad in a local bus. The bus
was not crowded and my co-brother Nipin tagged along. We reached
Kothamangalam around 3 pm the weather was not at all favourable, it was
cloudy out there, we immediately hired an auto and rushed to Thattekkad. I
had browsed through the snaps of a variety of South India endemic birds
which my friends shot, a couple of weeks back when they visited Thattekkad.
I couldn’t control my eagerness, just as we passed by a couple of
kilometers, it started raining heavily, I prayed hard, and sang the good
old nursery rhyme Rain Rain Go Away……….. but the rain was determined not to
go away. Just as we reached Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary the rain just
vanished but since the dark clouds engulfed the sky the place was darker
with no light for photography, there was no scope for clicking that
evening. We warmed our self having a steaming cup of tea from a small shop
and waited there for Eldhose to pick us. As scheduled Eldhose met us at
sharp 4.00 pm, he took us to the camp owned and run by him the
“HornbillCamp”.
As soon as we reached the camp I loaded my gears and was ready for a small
photo session. Eldhose spotted a “White-Browed Wagtail”, “Darter” also
known as the Snake Bird.
We went for a boating around, my co-brother really
enjoyed every minute of the trip. After the boating we went to the camp,
there we were welcomed by a group of Jungle Fowls,
they were very shy but still I managed to take some wonderful shots. Tried different aperture due
to the bad light. Meanwhile, could hear Eldhose calling me ……… I rushed
immediately towards him there stood a beautiful small bird with lots of
colours ...
The Indian Pitta.
This species is usually seen in the Himalayas
and in the Western Ghats. The evening paved way to the night, I was
satisfied cause in-spite of the rains and the dim light I was able to spot
a few birds. The dinner was set around 7.00 pm, Eldhose and his helper
Mr.Biju got things organized. Dinner started off with a Veg Soup followed
by fried rice, chicken, cutlets, salads and special kerala pappads cooked
by Eldhoses wife. Lying on my bed I just couldn’t imagine how I missed
visiting this place before……. and why it took this long for me to discover
this beautiful place.!!!!!!!
I decided to let others know of my experience in this wonderful place in
Kerala. Made a decision to write about the trip and to post it as I never
had posted anything before in my life...!
The chirruping birds woke me up the next morning around 5.40 am, rushed out
immediately with my camera. Seen the sunrise and some Cormorants move by.
Breakfast was ready by 6.30 am, the taste of the dinner still lingering on
my tongue.. I couldn’t miss the tasty spicy Kerala food.!
Talking to Eldhose for a while and after exploring the places around his
camp, started our journey back to my Aunts place and promising myself that
will be back soon for a week holidays....!
Still the words which he have promised was there in my ears...
"Nearly 500 species 83 Families & South Indian Endemics 118 species in which
75 species not seen in Sri lanka . Join with me for 10 day trip.
Assure you "300 species". He was so serious and confident telling this...!
For more details regarding the Hornbill camp visit : www.BirdinginSouthIndia.com
For about Kerala - www.GlimpsesofKerala.com
My Wildlife photographs : http://flickr.com/photos/nidhingpoothully/
to visit Thattekkad, a famous wildlife sanctuary, near Kothamangalam, 42
Kms from the Kochi International Airport. Its only of late that I got to
know this famous Birder cum Guide Mr.Eldhose, he led the path for my visit to Thattekkad.
I left Bangalore and reached Kochi on Wednesday evening, Kochi greeted me
with applause of rain. Watching the pit patter rain, a feeling of
Nostalgia, the by gone days crept back into my mind, I watched the rain as
a small kid and longed to play in the rain……
The next day after having a delicious lunch from my Aunts house who stays
in Kalamassery I started my journey to Thattekkad in a local bus. The bus
was not crowded and my co-brother Nipin tagged along. We reached
Kothamangalam around 3 pm the weather was not at all favourable, it was
cloudy out there, we immediately hired an auto and rushed to Thattekkad. I
had browsed through the snaps of a variety of South India endemic birds
which my friends shot, a couple of weeks back when they visited Thattekkad.
I couldn’t control my eagerness, just as we passed by a couple of
kilometers, it started raining heavily, I prayed hard, and sang the good
old nursery rhyme Rain Rain Go Away……….. but the rain was determined not to
go away. Just as we reached Dr.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary the rain just
vanished but since the dark clouds engulfed the sky the place was darker
with no light for photography, there was no scope for clicking that
evening. We warmed our self having a steaming cup of tea from a small shop
and waited there for Eldhose to pick us. As scheduled Eldhose met us at
sharp 4.00 pm, he took us to the camp owned and run by him the
“HornbillCamp”.
The drive to the camp was amazing, the mud road, the river rushing by and
the tall trees waving happily beside the river bank has its own scenic beauty….
As soon as we reached the camp I loaded my gears and was ready for a small
photo session. Eldhose spotted a “White-Browed Wagtail”, “Darter” also
known as the Snake Bird.
We went for a boating around, my co-brother really
enjoyed every minute of the trip. After the boating we went to the camp,
there we were welcomed by a group of Jungle Fowls,
they were very shy but still I managed to take some wonderful shots. Tried different aperture due
to the bad light. Meanwhile, could hear Eldhose calling me ……… I rushed
immediately towards him there stood a beautiful small bird with lots of
colours ...
The Indian Pitta.
This species is usually seen in the Himalayas
and in the Western Ghats. The evening paved way to the night, I was
satisfied cause in-spite of the rains and the dim light I was able to spot
a few birds. The dinner was set around 7.00 pm, Eldhose and his helper
Mr.Biju got things organized. Dinner started off with a Veg Soup followed
by fried rice, chicken, cutlets, salads and special kerala pappads cooked
by Eldhoses wife. Lying on my bed I just couldn’t imagine how I missed
visiting this place before……. and why it took this long for me to discover
this beautiful place.!!!!!!!
I decided to let others know of my experience in this wonderful place in
Kerala. Made a decision to write about the trip and to post it as I never
had posted anything before in my life...!
The chirruping birds woke me up the next morning around 5.40 am, rushed out
immediately with my camera. Seen the sunrise and some Cormorants move by.
Breakfast was ready by 6.30 am, the taste of the dinner still lingering on
my tongue.. I couldn’t miss the tasty spicy Kerala food.!
Talking to Eldhose for a while and after exploring the places around his
camp, started our journey back to my Aunts place and promising myself that
will be back soon for a week holidays....!
Still the words which he have promised was there in my ears...
"Nearly 500 species 83 Families & South Indian Endemics 118 species in which
75 species not seen in Sri lanka . Join with me for 10 day trip.
Assure you "300 species". He was so serious and confident telling this...!
For more details regarding the Hornbill camp visit : www.BirdinginSouthIndia.com
For about Kerala - www.GlimpsesofKerala.com
My Wildlife photographs : http://flickr.com/photos/nidhingpoothully/
