The Waterhole Diaries…. A photo Essay

June 11, 2020

The Waterhole Diaries….

A photo Essay

The Barred Jungle Owlet. One of the more uncommon species of owlets found in the Indan Subcontinents. This one was one of the first visitors to the Waterhole at dusk on the Day 1. The first rays of the Sun made for a very surreal yet captivating frame.

All humans have an inherent drive towards seeking the path of absolute contentment, and in its pursuit they try and discover the plethora of unknown pleasures that takes them towards an eternal drive of venturing into the mystical world of Nature.

Mine took me to a waterhole deep in the heart of Tiger country as I spent about 3 full days in the company of some very pretty native forest birds. I lead wildlife trips for a living and with back to back trips in Tadoba Tiger Reserve, a wildlife reserve known for excellent sightings of Tiger in the wild, I had my work cut out. Let’s start with day temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius and above. Mentally prepared for an extremely challenging trip of the year with around 25 safaris over 15 days, I was holed up in a cozy homestay in Mohurli viallage and had a short break of 3 days between group arrivals and had planned to do some solo safari trips. An afterthought somehow compelled me to skip the safaris and just take it easy. But as destiny would have it, I woke up at 5 am due to my usual routine and headed for a walk around the Mohurli lake with my camera hoping to capture some shots of the country side.

As I walked past the village closer to the jungle, an eerie screeching sound took my attention and the sounds led me to a huge colony of fruit bats on a Phycus tree. I took some shots amidst the deafening noise. On a narrow trail that joined the Mohurli village and the Junona buffer zone I heard what was the unmistakable call of the Indian Pitta and as I followed it through the dense thicket, it led me to a small waterhole. I spent some time observing different birds that came to the waterhole for a drink or just to cool off. Counted almost 32 species in a span of 3 hours before it got too hot for me to sit.

I decided to spend the next 2 days at the waterhole. Not having carried my tripod as birding was never on the cards, I innovated and made a makeshift tripod out of 3 bamboo logs and placed a bag full of raw barley that gave the much needed support to my 500mm lens.

Live the moments I spent at this waterhole through some of the pictures here...

The Indian Monitor Lizard.

Monitor Lizards have a notorious reputation of being egg thieves. Braving the countless attacks from the parent birds this fellow was ruthless in in his search for eggs or young ones from nests around the watering hole. He was pretty much around all the 3 days I was at the waterhole and by the end of the second day got pretty used to my presence. I made this picture on the last day when this fellow came pretty close quarters in his search for a quick meal. Such a character.

The Indian Pond Heron.

An old world origin bird, this pond heron which is not the most photographed bird made for a dashing entry in all his glorious breeding plumage. Stayed for about ten minutes without moving an inch looking for any movement of frogs or small fish, this fellow provided me ample time to frame his just right.

Black Naped Monarch.

A passerine bird belonging to the family of the flycatchers, is one of the most pretty looking native flycatchers found in India. Hard to photograph due to its small size, these birds give the word 'azure' a totally different definition. One of my favorite birds to capture in my lens.

Tickell's blue flycatcher.

Similar to the monarch this one too is a passerine from the flycatcher family. Named after British ornithologist Samuel Tickell, this bird can be easily spotted through its typical metallic call.

The Common Kingfisher.

Also known as the Eurasian or The small blue kingfisher is a master at spearfishing. Using his dart shaped beak to dive upon an unwary small fish this bird never stops to enthrall me. I took this picture and then just admired it for the next few minutes it was there with all the action that engulfed it.

The Brown Fish Owl.

Owls are my favorites. One word that comes to my mind is ENIGMA. Such beauties.

Didi you know that unlike most birds the flight of an owl is absolutely silent. They have special feathers that break turbulence into smaller currents, which reduces sound. Soft velvety down further muffles noise. This Brown fish owl is one of the four living species of the Fish Owls and is the most widely distributed.

The Jacobin Cuckoo.

Also known as the Pied Cuckoo this bird is the most vocal during the end summer months. Hence also known as the harbinger of rain

The Asian Paradise Flycatcher.

A treat to the eyes and a subject of great interest for bird photographers, I was lucky to spot and capture both the Male in his breeding plumage and the female. Literally like a Fairy Tail...