In search of birds

Packed up the gears, got monopod, jumped in car, started on Wednesday evening 6.30 PM from Bangalore. But to where ? It should obviously be Mysore. Mysore has places such as Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary near by, Kukkarahalli Lake, Karanji Lake where birds prefer to nest.

Reached Mysore at 8.30 PM

So this time, thought of exploring kukkarahalli Lake in morning.

But the problem in shooting Morning is the lighting, also with the minimum equipment I have like 250 mm lens, you need an extra favor, i.e the proper natural light.

I myself consider lucky this time, to have wonderful lighting also spotted great birds.

Left at around 6.30 AM. These are some of the snaps.

Shooting concluded at 8.30 AM as it would be late for Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary.

Here are the few details, I searched, thought would be helpful to pen down.  Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is located on the banks of river cauvery. Its near Sri Rangapatnam, Mandya Distict. It has an entry fees of 60 INR includes your camera charges. But Lens above 500mm is charged heavily.

Reached Bird Sanctuary at around 11 AM, went to get boat, the boat charges are again 60 INR per head, but can get a special boat for yourself for 1000 INR and extra privileges are given, like longer rides and into interiors where more rare birds can be sighted.

But went for a normal ride as this is not the season. Visiting in February will have more chances of sighting some rare birds.

And please visit in Weekday, if you are a serious bird photographer. Otherwise, fine to visit in weekends.

Here are  glimpse of the birds at Sanctuary.

Our journey to Kukke Subramanya

Just wanted to pin down my experience of visiting Kukke Subramanya, as this was a bit different and more traditional. I always used to go to Kumara Parvatha for the trek, descent the other day have sumptuous breakfast in a restaurant (Since 1960 :)), visit the deity and back to Bangalore. This would be the normal routine. But this time it was no trekking, just visit the places religiously and preformed the rituals.

So most of the travel enthusiasts would like to have such ritualistic experience, I am hereby pinning this down.

Normally, you could book a KSRTC coach according to your preference AC/NON AC.  We booked at around 9.15 PM. Boarded the bus near Basaveshwarnagar Bangalore (Saradha Colony) at 8.15 PM. You could even board near Navrang Theater as well at 9.20 PM.

This was just before the Shiradi Ghat was open. Our driver heard someone telling him that the Shiradi was open, so he took that route unfortunately.

We were just 30 Kms away from the Kukke, where at the end of the ghat the road was blocked.

We encountered the block at 2.30 AM till 6 AM we tried to clear the block which was a heap of mud that was put across.

But we failed, then we started walking across a near by village to get another bus to Kukke. Being a photographer I enjoyed the morning scenery with absolute awe.

Here are glimpse of that

Took a lift from a pick up truck

Later we waited for the bus, boarded a local bus at around 7 AM and reached Kukke.

We made a lodge just to freshen up. Got on with the shorts and went to take a dip in Kumara Dhara for the first time. This natural river is not part of any tributaries and comes through the Kumara Parvatha being one of the tallest mountains in Western Ghats. So this river, Kumara Dhara is very good to heal some of the health problems. Had a quick dip with some quick snaps.

Later came back to room by a Auto with a minimal fee. Freshened up and got ready to have a darshan of the deity.

We were fortunate not to have any rush and crowd inside the sanctum by 10.15 AM. We went to Adi Subramanya temple from there which is walkable, this the temple where the Naga Devathas bless the devotees. You can witness the Nag Devatha If you are fortunate.

Then had breakfast in a restaurant located in the temple street, did some shopping, got my tickets booked for return journey at 2.30 PM.

Wondering I could have booked a bit earlier ? Come on, how could I miss the tasty and disciplined lunch served at the temple.

The lunch starts at 12 PM, we joined and finished lunch at 1.15 PM as there was not much crowd.

Then went back to the lodge, packed things up. As this is a monsoon season it was pouring cats and dogs.

Some how boarded the bus at 2.15 PM, started the journey back to Bangalore with such a scenery is breathtaking. Here are the few snaps on the way back.