Bandipur National Park

Bandipur is situated on the Mysore Ooty highway and is 220 kms from Bangalore. Sadly, the highway cuts through the sanctuary & with traffic going at lightening speed, can cause accidents when mammals cross the road. It is contiguous with Mudumulai Sanctuary in Tamilnadu After a quick check-in & lunch at the Jungle Lodges & resorts run by the Karnataka State Governemnt, we get into our open jeeps for the first safari. Our driver cum guide is Boma. He is very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna & over the next 4 safaris we see some interesting birdlife though the Tiger & Leopard elude us.The forest is infested with Lantana which makes viewing a little difficult. Added to that, the morning safaris are misty which makes photography quite challenging!

White-Breasted Kingfisher

Spotted Deer Stag

Asian Elephant

Striped-necked Mongoose is a lifer for me

Grey Francolin

Hoopoe - a striking but very common in all habitats in India

White-bellied Drongo is a winter migrant to the area

Catching the sunset with my zoom lens

Crested Hawk Eagle

Jerdon's Bushlark is a lifer for me

Crested Hawk Eagle - frontal view

Web of life - the web of the Giant Wood Spider taken on a misty morning

Grey Junglefowl found in Peninsular India

Spotted Dove - a beautiful dove that is common in most habitats

Pied Bushchat - another commoner

White-breasted Kingfisher - a good population in the area

Jungle Myna hobnobbing with Spotted Deer

it is grooming time for this handsome Spotted Deer!

Brown-headed Barbet

Red-headed or King Vulture

An old Shiva temple situated atop a hill that draws many Pilgrims

Forest Calotes

No this is just a painting in my cottage - appropriately called Tiger Cottage

Sambar

Turtle on the forest floor

Green Bee-eater

White-eyed Buzzard

Gaur or Indian Bison - the largest Oxen in the world

Crested Serpent Eagle - good population in the area

Gaur

Mock charge from a female elephant. She desperately wanted us to go & our jeep witnessed 3-4 mock charges until she finally gave up & retreated with her herd

Elephants are charming social animals

Long-tailed Shrike

Spotted Deer running for safety

Entrance to the National park

Entry to my resort

A view of the undulating road to the sanctuary

Please click on "older posts" tab below right to see photos of Nagarhole, Ranganathitt & Coorg