3 May 2014

Where the Tiger rules ....

From rejuvenating bird songs to exploring miles of  forests,tracking the pug marks of tigers to chasing deer in grasslands  ,smell of wet earth and the  intoxicating fragrance of Kamini flowers  in the wide expanses of grassland ....welcome to Jim Corbett national park .I have always seen tigers in zoos but when got an offer to visit a national park just grabbed this opportunity.This trip to Jim Corbett National Park  was rather unplanned but everything started falling in place .Quick trip to the foothills of the Himalayas in the month of march  ....The air was crisp in the evening and it was around 8pm when I stepped out of my cottage to grab  a bite after the  long drive .The moon was just a night from full and visibility was very good . That is when I noticed a family of wild boars in the close vicinity .


The stripes I managed to capture 


''Tiger spotting ''can be done by jeep or on the elephant back . We opted for the former as we were a group of six .Drove through the tall grasslands perfect camouflage for the big cat , saw herds of deer (commonly spotted ) ,dancing peacocks and also got glimpse of wild elephants from our speeding jeeps in the outskirts of the forests .The drive through the jungle was filled with lots of suspense and exictment . My ears were trying to pick up calls from the deer and monkeys that alert us about the'' jungle of the forest ''.



It was a very cloudy day .... as we entered the park sun rays had started filtering in .

Woodpecker knocking on the tree with full  gusto ....building its nest .

Enjoying the rainy day ....

Grriffon perched on the top of the tree trying to spot some breakfast .


Though I did not spot the tiger but was the least disappointed .....as very soon will be back in tiger country .
Though the numbers of the tigers are dwindling by the day but I still  wish....

''May there always be tigers .
In the jungle and tall grass.
May the tiger's roar be heard ,
May his thunder 
Be known in the land. ''
Written by Ruskin bond

Is it possible for us to develop a sense that this rich flora ,fauna and wildlife has been handed over to us by the primitive man .