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ODKF - A Colorbomb Jewel!

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  The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is a stunning bird to have on your bucket list! Its vibrant colours and petite size make it a real gem for birdswatchers.  ODKF or Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is one of the smallest kingfishers. It is only slightly larger than a medium sized humming bird and measures 12.5cam to 14cm in length, that includes the bill and tail. This tropical kingfisher is a partial migrant and is found in the western ghats and Konkan Region, especially during the monsoons, when its their breeding season.  It is a very colourful and attractive bird, with a coral-red bill, orange head, blue-black forehead and blue and white patches on the side of the neck. It has a dark blue back and wings, a white chin and throat and yellow orange underparts. There is no sexual dimorphism, with both male and female looking alike.  The parents forage for food, bringing various food items, turn by turn. The babies are served with several-course gourmet meal of spiders, dragonflies, small frogs
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Jhalana Leopard Reserve - The Urban Forest

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 Imagine living in a crowded city of 4.3 million people and learning that amidst all of this human world, huge buildings and maddening crowd, lies a small, happy, peaceful forest where wild leopards rule. Urban dwellers who may have heard about leopards but rarely come across one would find this hard to believe.  There does exist a place such as this, right within Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan in Western India. Extending over 7.7 square miles, the Jhalana Leopard Reserve is Home to flora and fauna of great variety. However its most famous denizens are its leopards. Over the years, the forest and the leopards and other biodiversity withstood the pressure of rapid urbanization and population growth, yet have been able to flourish here. To have a forest like that in one of the more populous cities is truly marvelous and a great story about conservation.  The revival of Jhalana's ecosystem health has also been a blessing for the resident and migratory birds. The av
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Alarm Calls!

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 What are Alarm Calls? It requires years of experience to track a predator in Indian National Parks. Veterans amongst drivers and guides know their national park very well but that too is not enough at times! Its the understanding of alarm calls that decides your chances of a Tiger sighting during the safari. Even if tiger walks silently through the jungle there are always other prey animals keeping a watch. As the jungle is dense, most of the time you spot the animals by hearing them. Alarm Calls are the warning calls provided by the prey animal to its herd regarding the predator movement. This call is very high pitched, short and intense in nature. It is said that the sambar deer's call is the most accurate when it comes to tracking of tigers. Monkey give alarm calls from tree tops. They can spot a tiger or a leopard from a considerable distance. They are like watchman who keep an eye on the surroundings. Interestingly a monkey's call is different when it sights a tiger and d
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Re-Union and Love!

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 Recently I witnessed a fascinating and dramatic scene in the wild. A drama unfolded in the heart of Kolsa - Tadoba, amidst the serene meadows and winding roads. It began with the majestic Kuwani - the reigning tigress of Kolsa sitting by the roadside in the early hours of our morning safari. We had just entered the park and within minutes we found her lounging in the tranquil grasslands, her eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.  Soon Kuwani rose from her resting spot and walked into the meadows. Her cub, which was a little inside in the grass ventured cautiously on the road. He was oblivious to the dangers that lurked around. Suddenly, a new figure emerged from the periphery - Hirdinala tigress - the matriarch of this lineage and Kuwani's own mother. her arrival was a mere coincidence, she had accidentally walked into the territory of Kuwani. Spotting her daughter's cub on the road, Hirdinala's instincts surged into action. With an unpleasant growl, Hirdinala cha
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Choti Tara - The Ruling Tigress of Pandharpauni - Tadoba

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  Choti Tara is one of the charismatic tigresses of Tadoba. She is a beautiful and big tigress around 14 years of age. She hails from a legendary bloodline of Tadoba. Possibly the oldest known family.  She was born in a litter of four to Tara Tigress. She along with her siblings put Tadoba on the map.  Choti Tara has a confident air about her and a very calm demeanour, yet when you see her you can sense you are in the presence of a mighty tigress. She is easily identified by blister on her nose.  She also was one of the tigresses who had collar around her to track her movements. Choti Tara rarely looks ahead while she walks which makes it difficult to take pictures of her. She only moves while gazing below. She is tough and has been in fairly brutal fights with other tigresses.  She has been photographed with her adorable cubs several times before which were her earlier litters. Presently she has given birth to her 5th litter. She has always been a very doting mother.  Choti Tara earli
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Lesser Known Facts of Forests!

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 They said its always nice to keep eyes and ears open when in Forests! Its just not for animals but for observation of many things.  The guides and gypsy drivers share a lot of fun facts regarding the flora and fauna. Over the years i have been seeing and hearing them.  Have listed a few of them. Termite mounds are commonly found in the forests. They are strong earthern structures that are also porous, which allows for ventilation of the termites underground nest without affecting the nests temperature and humidity level. They are done so artistically that they often resemble architectural monuments.  - @Kanha National Park These Creepers Bohemia - Bilai which are found in central india forests named after a British Officers two sons. The sons were identical twins and so are these. The creepers are useful for making food plates and strong ropes. - @Kanha National Park. The houses in small villages in MP have closed drainage systems located behind the houses. Cleanliness and planning is
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Emerald Panna

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 "Panna is the most beautiful national park in the country and its landscape is as famous as its tigers" is what my guide whispered to me on my first safari, and that was eternally true! Termed as the Emerald Forest, An Insight into the Panna Tiger Reserve is a live experience of witnessing animals residing in their natural habitat, stunning landscapes, and an unending list of flora and fauna, forest trails, and several wildlife species. Nestled in the Vindhya ranges, Panna Tiger Reserve comprises of mixed terrain including gorges and extensive plateaus. Spread in the expanse of 542.67 square kilometers this is the last tiger habitat in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh.  Panna National Park is known for creating history in Tiger Conservation. The park lost all tigers to systematic poaching from 2006 to 2008. Subsequently, 3 tigers were relocated from other reserves to Panna in 2009. These tigers made Panna their home and today with the dedicated efforts of the Forest Depar
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