A visit again - was it a gain ?

It was quarter to one and I was anxious and also eager to visit the Kgudi wilderness camp. It was getting late and we had to reach their by six before the forest gates closed .We planned in such a way that we reach there by six .We never stopped at the restaurant while we had our lunch in the car when ever the car stopped at traffic signals. And at last some how we managed to reach there at five with a sigh of relief.



Visit to the temple and wilderness camp
In those twilight hours the visit to the biligiri ranganatha temple had an air of magic in it.
Later we started off to the wilderness camp. Gulmohar, which was in its full bloom, welcomed us with its red flowers. This time I intensely felt at home when I saw the green mountains, thatched tents, log huts and the ‘Golghar ‘. As the dusk fell the multi colored sky invited us to the wild .The staff greeted us with their usual hospitality and cheerful face. As we had our relaxing cup of coffee we watched a movie ‘The leopard that changed its spots.’Gargi now started pestering me to show a leopard in the wild. Soon we heard that a leopard had made a kill this evening and we just missed it, as we were late to the safari. But we were optimistic to see the leopard in the morning safari


The next day
We woke up to the alarm of the chirping birds and forests fresh air. Just a peep outside the window was so refreshing. Off we were on the jeep on a classic tour through the heart of the jungle. Thapa our jeep driver was well known for his sighting skills .I could see that enormous passion towards his work in his eyes .He and the naturalist were bent upon showing us the leopard .We were eager and also excited to see the leopard. As we entered the jungle the path was so scenic that I was overwhelmed by the enormity of nature .On the way we saw so many fascinating array of birds like the Malabar whistling Thrush , Rufus tree pie, Grey headed fish eagle , Black headed oriole , Ground thrush, Grey heron ,Rocket tailed Drongo, jungle fowl and a blue tailed bee eater .Animals like the Malabar giant squirrel , Barking deer and the Indian gaur .We also saw elephants bathing in swamp and a rare sighting of the sloth bear .


As we drove nearer to the kill we were not able to spot the leopard .It had abandoned the kill. We waited there with our fingers crossed. As we shifted our focus to the other side of the road we saw the leopard relaxing on a tree branch. I was fascinated by its majestic gesture and vibrant beauty. At last we managed to take few photographs of the king. It was just awesome. The highlight of the camp the safari had been promising to us.


Elephant ride
We also took a ride on an elephant on gargi’s demand. This time on an Ambari elephant named Gajendra .I really felt proud to sit on this huge elephant which had carried the goddess during the famous mysore dasara procession .Its mahout Abdul gladly answered all the curious questions of Gargi .
We had invested hours spotting predator paths but this time we saw the leopard which doubled our excitement and happiness .This visit to the camp was truly a gain .