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Posts tagged ‘bird’

16
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (a journey ends)

:: Galleries – Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (cont’d…4)

From Alleypey (see last post), we began our return leg, but, first going via Pathiramanal Island – an island known for being home to many migratory birds. By that time, it was getting late afternoon, and the waters sparkled in the late evening sun…, ending with a fiery sunset – all made it a trip of a lifetime. Kerala, truly is God’s Own Country!

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A firey sunset brings a spectacular day to an end, but with memories to cherish forever

A fiery sunset brings a spectacular day to an end, but with memories to cherish forever

In this album:
Pathiramanal Island - an island in the midst of the backwaters is home to many migratory birds Large number of birds seen on the island Were it not for the cackle, it'd be hard to spot the birds A picture postcard view - houseboats criss-cross the backwaters
Gateway to the backwaters, Kerala Almost like a convoy of houseboats... Houseboats shine in the late afternoon sunlight (Kerala) Houseboats stand anchored - possibly for a night, in the pristine surroundings of Kerala's backwaters
A houseboat makes its way, as the sun begins to go down The water on the ripples shimmers in the sunlight Sparkling water... Pathiramanal Island acts as a backdrop for the shimmering waters
Water weeds once again begin to appear Shimmer and shine... More shimmer and shine, as the sun gets lower... ...and some more shimmer
More shimmering waters... Birds wait patiently for a possible meal Another large bird, spotted on the backwaters (Almost like a) Floating garden
The shimmer adds a nice glow to the silhouette of the water weeds Nearing civilization - the town of Kumarakom 'Floating Garden' Floating garden and shimmering waters...
Luxury resorts - in this nature's paradise Luxury Resorts - have the best locations! 5-star cottages situated on the banks of backwater ways Views like these are enough to invite tourists to Kerala (and yes, it's worth it)
Openings in the weeds left by the passage of houseboat(s) Locals travel by smaller boats, even as the tourist(y) houseboats wait by the side at Kumarakom, Kerala Backwaters and houseboats - that's what Kumarakom is all about! Backwaters and houseboats - that's what Kumarakom is all about!
Brightly coloured houses stand out amidst the serenity of the backwaters This side up?! A beautiful houseboat stands reflected in the still waters A houseboat appears to have been locked-in by the water plants Ahoy - land in sight. Arriving back at port...
Ripples on the water
After the amazing houseboat trip on the backwaters, we headed to the last stop – Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary – before the fiery sun set on this wonderful day.
It's a bird! It's a turkey (?) The bird sanctuary is adjacent to the backwaters...and offers a tropical environment Some interesting flowers along the path... Orchid-like flowers at the Kumarakom bird sanctuary
It's a nice, loooo....oong walk thro' the woods, as you hear a variety of birds up in the trees Close-up of the water-weed plant (seen in the backwaters) Pretty white flowers Now, that's a beautiful Kerala landscape!
A lush green expanse of paddy fields...as we head back Birds fly around in the lush fields Watching the birds in the paddy fields A fiery sunset provides a perfect end to the day
Sunset in God's Own Country (i.e. Kerala) A pink lotus brightens up a pond (at Kumarakom)

9
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Kumarakom, Sailing The Backwater Country

:: Galleries – Kerala – Kumarakom, Backwater Country (cont’d…2)

After boarding our houseboat and on settling onto the homely deck, we set sail over the famed backwaters of Kumarkom. Nothing in the guide books can prepare you for what you see and experience – calm, peace, tranquility, birds, beautiful houses along the banks…see for yourself with this set of photos.

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Beautiful backwaters at Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom

Houseboats on the backwaters, Kumarakom

In this album:
Smart luxury resorts are situated at prime locations (as expected) Luxury resorts, framed by the houseboat window Greenery, a cocunut tree bends to touch the waters! The scenic backwaters of Kerala
Cozy cottages hide amidst the greenery Houseboats take different routes, through the backwaters Bird watching... A bird perches on a wooden mast, probably waiting to feed on the fish or vegetation
A white heron wanders amidst the vegetation More birds (we later learned that the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is near by) Birds seem to thrive in this rich, natural ecosystem Backwater Scenery, Kumarakom, Kerala
Framed by the beauty! A heron scours around, possibly for a fresh meal (Kumarkom, Kerala) A beautiful heron in natural surroundings (Kumarakom, Kerala) More birds...what a pleasure!
Coconut Highway! Waterways lined by coconut trees - a perfect Kerala landscape! Fresh and clean. That's what the greens make you feel! Almost picture perfect! A water taxi, maybe? Delicious fish curry (Kerala style, naturally). Yum!
Feels like another planet! Beautiful beauty of the backwaters of Kerala! And, some more birds (don't know which it is though) Tranquility - beautiful backwaters of Kerala! Freshly scooped coconut - love the taste of that!

There are lots of pics in this album, so more in the next post…

2
Dec

Trips: Kerala – Periyar Lake & National Park

:: Galleries – Kerala – Periyar Lake & National Park

About an hours drive away from Ramakkalmedu, the town of Thekkady was a little more bustling with civilisation. It’s a small town and touristy, with hotels, lodges and shops at every nook and corner. From there, we quickly found our way through the [only] main street which led to the entrance of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Periyar tiger Reserve, Thekaddy is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India, sprawled over 777 Sq. Kms and is also home to a number of bird, animal and flower species.

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Beautiful settings of the Periyar Lake

Beautiful settings of the Periyar Lake

In this album:
Little Birdie Birdie Wild flowers, along the way to Periyar The resort - a typical Kerala styling of intricate patterns and tiling
Wild flowers - in shades of pink and white A picture postcard view of the scenic Periyar Lake The serene waters of the Periyar Lake Birds at Periyar Lake feed on morsels left around by careless picnickers
Embarking on the boat ride over the waters of Periyar Lake A nest perched on dead wood in the middle of the lake Ripples left by the passing of the boat, on Periyar Lake The long expanse of the Periyar Lake
The forest of Periyar National Reserve meets the lake A complex ecosystem thrives here at Periyar Tiger Reserve The greens of the tress reflect in the waters of Periyar Lake Watching out for wildlife on the banks of Periyar Lake
Periyar Lake View A bird waits atop dead wood to catch a meal (Periyar Lake) Another bird (oops, didn't frame this one well!) Oh well, didn't do well to capture it yet again!
Ahh! Out of focus, but like the silhoutte A young bird awaits it's parent atop a nest on dead wood (Periyar Lake) Dead wood in the middle of the lake at Periyar Plenty of dead wood - makes for good locations for birds, here at Periyar Lake
Bird on dead wood tree, against the backdrop of the Periyar Forest [Trying to zoom in on the bird...] Watching, as another boat sails the waters (Periyar Lake) A soft, silvery sheen contrasts well with the grey clouds and green forest
Concentrating on the thicket for signs of wild life... Ahh, patience pays off, finally: A Sambar Deer stands on the banks of Periyar Lake Scenic any which way: Choose your way (Periyar Lake) At the jetty, boats waiting to ferry more tourists (Periyar Lake)