Bandipur June 2012 Edition - Episode 2

With nothing much to visit around as we had already visited the places in Ooty, we were lazy to get up early and get ready. At around 9 am we were able to pull ourselves up and get ready to visit Dodda Betta. The reason is a nice drive on the twisties up to the spot.

A view from Dodda Betta

Just after the Sigur Ghats

We stop to give way to the spotted deer. Remember we were in their territory. But the Hyundai Accent in the pic does not think so. He simply drives without stopping. Felt really terrible with this attitude towards the animals.

We wait at the Safari counter for the Safari Jeep to pick us up.  While waiting we got to see the trained elephants near the camp at the forest office.

Where is my quota?

Another young one which belongs to the camp with tusks.

3 Birdies

Two more a little further away from the 3 birdies.

Spotted Deer, seems to be a bit old

A tortoise in one of the water hole which would dry up soon.

At another water hole

We move further with little action until we spot an Indian Gaur which seems very jittery.

The reason, it was attacked by a leopard or a tiger. The former seems more like the attacker. The Gaur was big, it managed to escape but not without injuries.

We next spot a barking deer one side of a big water hole.

A herd at the other side of the water hole where there was fresh grass growth

A video of the herd grazing.  Sorry about the shake. It was difficult to shoot pics and the video.

Serpant Eagle

We move on, in a few mins, spot another elephant herd.

An owl. The guide mentioned that this one was endangered.

With 6 pm soon approaching we start back towards the forest office. But I persuade the guide the route towards Hulikatte region. The effort did not go waste. We spotted a Leopard enjoying its kill behind the thicket. Buy the time I focus the camera, the leopard disappeared in to the thicket.

Returned back to the forest office again with loads of action on the Safari.

The return journey was smooth and reached Bangalore and hit the sack for a well deserved rest.

The itch to go back on a safari in Bandipur has already began.

Bandipur June 2012 Edition - Episode 1

Had another trip to Bandipur - Ooty in June 2012. It was almost a year since I was on a safari in Bandipur. Decided to drive down to Bandipur for a couple of Safaris and a day's stay in Ooty just to relax.

Had planned for 2 Safaris, one on the 9th June 2012 morning and the other on the 10th June 2012 evening.

Started off from home at 2:30 am to reach Bandipur gate well before 6 am (The forest is closed from 9 pm to 6 am in the morning). The safaris start from 6.30 am and will go on till 10 am.

Safari 1

Started off in one of the jeeps at 7 am. The safari can go on for anywhere between 90 - 120 mins.

The first spotting of the safari. The Gentle Gaints

How to get rid on an itch

The Mongoose

National Bird

Sambar Deer 

A Young Fella 

Found a pug mark which was quite fresh. The was a tigress and 3 cubs in that region, so we rushed to the other side of the trail to see if the striped cats come out in the open.  We waited on the other side of the track patiently waiting for the tigress to step out in open.

We moved on after waiting for 20 mins and the alarm calls died too. Another spotted deer

A birdie

After moving on, we came across a herd of elephants. The matriarch decided to check how much of a threat we were to the herd.

The first cross the track.  A naughty one

Others follow suit

The matriarch decides to take a U turn to check upon us. She crosses the path and comes to the other side and gives us a mock charge. We stand put.

She trumpets, kicks up dust and puts a bit of mud on itself to scare us. We don't budge.

A long stare at the intruders

She loses interest on us and decides to move on.  We move on too.

A parrot on barren branches

Macaques

In deep thought I guess.

The safari was done with quite a bit of events. Waiting for the tigers, elephants checking on us, birds, loads of spotted deer and Sambar deers. Content with the action we move towards Ooty.

Just before we leave, a forest guard asks us which route we were taking to which I replied Gudalur. With a pleasant smile he asked if we could drop him there. I was more than happy to accommodate him in the car and drop him.

On the way, there were quite a few tourists simply stopping on the road side. With the forest guard's help, we were able to get them moving.

Reached Ooty by lunch time and checked in to one of the numerous hotels. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and a bit of shopping in the evening.

End of episode 1

YET ANOTHER RIDE TO GOPALASWAMY BETTA AND BANDIPUR - JULY 2011

With a break of 10 days after I quit the job at Tyco, was evaluating a possibility of a ride for about 3-4 days.  Getting an approval from the government would have been far easier than getting a green signal from home to the ride.

With loads of pleading, finally the ride duration came down to a day.  With no other option the location was again Gopalaswamy Betta and Bandipur.  Though nothing to regret about.

Had to get the wiring set up ready for the LED parking lights.  Done and dusted with that task, next was to put the hella comet 500 on the bike.  Fuelled up the bike to the brim at the Shell petrol pump station.  All set for the ride.

Read on for some interesting things in the ride.

Scheduled time of leaving home was 4 am; however, I was able to leave home only by 4:10 am.  I rode with moderate speeds through the city to cross Kengeri.  The air was quite chilling after crossing Kengeri.  I stuck to speeds of 60-70 for most of the journey towards Gopalaswamy Betta.  Enroute, I ensured I Stopped at quite a few places just to ease in to the weather.  The chillness of the air ensured that I got as lazy as one can get.  So not much photos this time.

One photo Enroute.

The roads are re-laid from Mysore to Nanjangud which was in very poor state during the previous visit.  However, the road is still bumpy though re-laid. 

With my slow cruising ride finally reached Gopalaswamy Betta at 10 am.  This is the first time I have ridden so slow, a good 5 hours and 50 mins.

Now some interesting facts about Gopalaswamy Betta which have changed due to a few unwanted instances that have happened (which I will not mention here on the blog).

1. The entry timings to the temple has been changed from 6 am - 6 pm to 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. 
2. Checking at the check post to ensure no traveler is carrying food items and plastic 
3. Trekking at the hill is strictly prohibited. 
4. Forest guards now have walkie talkie to get update and provide update.

My personal view is that things have changed for good.  The serene environment here was getting gradually degraded to yet another tourist place.

Spent a good hour and half soaking the atmosphere near the temple, but not before bowing to the deity and offering my prayers.

Not much of photos as I did not venture out of the temple premises and encourage other tourists to follow my activities.

Rode up to Bandipur and was actually feeling sleepy so enquired at one of the hotels to see if I can get a room for about 500 bucks to take a quick nap before the safari.  However, the plan had to be shelved as the room cost quoted was 1200 bucks + taxes.  I said “No Thanks” and simply walked out.

I headed straight to the safari ticket counter and met one person from one of the shops who accommodated me at the shop where I could chill off.  I was checking with my contacts over the phone for a slot in the jeep safari.  This shop guy overheard my conversation and offer help in getting a slot at almost the same cost as the bus safari cost.  With a  good 2 and a half hours left before the safari, I had lunch that was packed and chilled off for some time.  After about an hour and a half, I simply wandered around the place waiting for the clock to tick over to 4 pm.

Finally the jeep came at 4:15 pm for the 2 hour safari.  The safari was eventless with me being click happy with whatever animal that I could sight.

Now enough of me talking let the photographs narrate more.

Returned back from the safari at 6:30 pm.  It was time to pack things and head home.  Managed to leave at 7:45 pm and reached home at 10:50 pm.  A nonstop ride for 240 odd kms from the forest office in Bandipur to my house.  This includes city limit speeds at all the towns and speed limit inside the forest reserve.

Trip Stats

Odo at the beginning = 46211

Odo at the end – 46709

Total distance travelled – 498 kms

Fuel consumed – Full tank yet to come to reserve. Approx cost as per the past mileage record – Rs. 780/- (11 litres of fuel consumed)