A journey to the Himalayan frontiers of West-Bengal and the picturesque Nepal- Bhutan border along the banks of Mahananda.
29 March 2019 – my flight is headed to Kolkata, the next 15 days I will be living my dream…
My host in Kolkata, Somen Mondel (Dada to me) was waiting at the airport and whisked me away to his house in the suburbs of the city. His family was considerate enough to let me hit the bed after a light meal.
The next morning was spent exploring the streets riding pillion on Dada’s motor scooter. That night accompanied by Dada’s family and a driver, we started towards Murti, in Jalpaiguri district.
Slowed down by the rains along the way, we arrived at our accommodation by 10.30 am. I was greeted by a Spotted Owlet atop a tree opposite my room. Little did I know that the next day the owlet would gift me a great frame, he had brought his mate and their tender moments were pleasing for my eyes as well as my camera. It is true that love lives in everything!
The first morning we headed to Gouramara National park. My Canon 7D Mark II never left my side. The park has a treasure trove of birds and we sighted a variety of them – Indian Peafowl, Red Jungle Owlet, Spotted Owlet, Brahminy Starling. The photographer in me wanted more as I already had these bird images in my collection!
Bindu is a village on the India-Bhutan border. On the banks of the tiny river here we sighted the Scarlet minivet, Orange bellied leaf bird female. The jungle safari here was a one-of-a-kind experience, we were transported to the Medla watch tower in bullock carts. A pair of Rhinos grazing in the jungle was a welcome sight, but all the while the mixed weather kept me worried, will I have to go back half-satisfied?
4 April 2019 – we left Murti and headed towards Jayanti village in Alipurduar district, where Buxa tiger reserve is located. Dads’s younger daughter kept us entertained with her antics, and the journey appeared quicker thanks to her.
We spent a whole day on the banks of the Jayanti river. This area attracts tourists in good numbers, the chief attraction being the beautiful landscape of the area. White Wagtail, Crested Kingfisher, varities of butterflies like Blue Tiger, White Tiger, Common Jezebel, Yellow Jezebel were abundant in the air here, though I had to walk quite a bit in search of the Crested Kingfisher.
The next destination was Mahakal caves situated 4 kms. Away from Buxa, but the trip proved a damp squib thanks to the inclement weather. Spurred on by the look of gloom on my face, our guide organized a safari to Chunia forest the same evening.
The safari proved rewarding with me getting good shots of Collared Falconet, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon and Plum-headed Parakeet. The highlight was the shot of a Roufousnecked Hornbill, resting with its mate. We could hear the sounds of elephants and our driver appeared very cautious. Soon we came across two tuskers blocking our way. The look on the face of the driver said it all when I asked to get down from the vehicle for a ground-level shot!
That night proved sleepless with a herd of wild elephants paying a visit to the area near our accommodation, the cacophony of the villagers chasing them away kept us awake.
To the foothills of the Himalayas:
Our next destination – Mahananda wildlife sanctuary. A treat to my eyes, ears and mind!
The mesmerizing forest is spread across 158 km2 just 30 mins away from Siliguri on the banks of the Teesta and Mahananda river. Started as a game sanctuary in 1955 with the main aim of protecting the Indian bison and the Royal Bengal Tiger, it was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1959. The sanctuary is 28 kms away from Bagdogra airport.
The variety of birds and in particular different types of hornbills attract bird lovers and photographers to this place. The rain forests lead to mixed climatic conditions and our first day was a wash out. The next day was bright, and our guide arrived to take us on a walking safari. Soon he broke into a run on hearing the cry of a Wreathed Hornbill, with the group at his heels. The bird was perched at an un-desirable angle, but dive intervention arrived in the form of me loosing my footing. The sound of my fall made the bird flutter to a higher branch, and there it was now – the perfect frame!
Both the morning and evening safaris were fruitfull with good shots of a variety of birds – Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Scarlet Minivet, Streaked Spiderhunter, Veriditer Flycatcher, Roufous Sibia, Longtailed Broadbill, Asian Barred Owlet among them. My camera was content absorbing the magical sights. But the animals did not reveal themselves, the preferable weather keeping them in the darkness of the deep jungle.
Next trip was to Rongtok inside Mahananda. While walking through tea estates, the estate workers pointed out a Griffon Vulture, which sat unfazed by a group of street dogs trying to attack it. I managed to get close and Dada’s elder daughter even manged to click a picture of me standing behind the vulture.
Our guide humoured my wish to see a Great Indian Hornbill, and took us on a short walk to a banyan tree with 15 of these gorgeous birds perched on it – an unbelievable sight!
I also got good shots of Cuckoo Shirke, Long-tailed Broadbill, Griffon Vulture, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Green-billed Malkoha, Blue Whistling Thrush and Orange-bellied Leafbird’s female.
Now it was time to return – March 29th to April 11th, the days when the wildlife photographer in me felt alive…
I cannot thank Dada and family enough for being part of those 15 memorable days!
