A PASSAGE TO INDIA APRIL /MAY 2023 {PART ONE}

 At last the trip scheduled for 2020 finally came to fruition after being postponed three times because of covid restrictions both here and in India.Flying with Virgin to Delhi overnight we arrived to a hot and steamy welcome at INDHIRA GANDHI airport with garlands of marigolds being hung around our necks before being whisked away to a lovely hotel to rest and relax.After lunch we we visited the INDIA GATEWAY and gardens nearby.

BLACK KITE drinking from  a puddle

PALM SQUIRREL

ASIAN PIED STARLING

SPOTTED OWLET.

SPOTTED OWLET.

After a good nights sleep,it was up early for the trip to Agra and the TAJ MAHAL.

TAJ MAHAL

WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER

WTK

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We also visited the Red Fort at Agra but for some reason I cant download my phone pics so unfortunately I cannot share with you at this time.. Back to Delhi and the Lemon Tree Hotel near the airport ready for the flight to Jalapur the next day.

The business part of the trip starts here with the first safaris .

The short flight from Delhi to Jalapur was interesting in that the pilot seemed to have trouble finding the airstrip.However we got there eventually and our cars were waiting  for the long drive to Bandhavgarhs Nature Heritage Resort.It was well after dark when we arrived but next morning at 5am we were up and ready for action.

INDIAN PEAFOWL aka PEACOCK.

INDIAN PEAFOWL  displaying

and from behind.

TIGER No 1

-THE EYE OF THE TIGER.

-A YOUNG  FEMALE

-ACCORDING TO OUR GUIDE.

SLOTH BEAR.

SLOTH BEAR

TIGER No2 cooling off.

COMMON CERULEAN

COMMON JEZABEL

INDIAN ROLLER

GREEN BEE EATER.

GREY HORNBILL.

TIGER No3 -

ADJUTANT STORK

BROWN FISH OWL

PUFF THROATED BABBLER

TIGER No4

-A YOUNG MALE RESTING IN THE ROAD

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-HE BECAME WARY WHEN A PARK RANGER ARRIVED ON A MOTOR BIKE.   

AND MOVED INTO THE UNDERGROWTH

GREEN BEE EATER

JUNGLE OWLET

TIGER No 5

TIGER No6

SCENT MARKING

-TIGER No6 HEADING FOR THE DRINKING HOLE

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-HAVING A COOLING DRINK.

SPOTTED DEER

EGYPTIAN VULTURE

MALABAR PIED HORNBILL

MPH

INDIAN THICK KNEE

JUNGLE FOWL

CUCKOOSHRIKE female

GREAT COUCAL

BROWN FISH OWL

LANGUR 

That was the last safari at Bandhavgarh and we now moved on to PENCH and the Tuli Tiger Corridor.

The first early morning drive here turned up our only Leopard sighting of the trip, evidently it had just caught and eaten a Spotted Deer and was watching a Jackal at the remains.

LEOPARD

LEOPARD

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-LEOPARD

BLACK RUMPED FLAMEBACK.

RUFOUS TREEPIE

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TIGER No 7 A big male..Eagle eyed Cathy had spotted this beast in the forest and the guides drove to the exact spot that it emerged from the jungle

Our jeep had this beautiful creature all to ourselves

He ignored us completely

which was a shame as I would have liked to look into his eyes.

RIVER TERN

JACKAL

Meanwhile back at the resort..

SPOT BILLED DUCK

SPOT BILLED DUCK

COMMON MORMON

COMMON HAWK CUCKOO a ubiquitous bird whose call can be heard everywhere but  is very difficult to see leading to its common name of Brain Fever Bird because it drives everyone mad I suppose.

I guess I was lucky to see this one before he saw me.

COMMON HAWK CUCKOO.

WHITE FRONTED WATERHEN.

The last morning at Pench.

INDIAN ROLLER

MOTTLED WOOD OWL.

WILD DOG or DHOLE - this was the second pack of wild dogs seen here in Pench

This was the last safari at Pench after lunch we leave for Tadoba.

                                       

CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE

                                           END OF PART ONE.