This verdant forest refuge is teaming with an amazing variety of wildlife ranging from tigers and leopards to elephants and birds. Formerly the exclusive hunting grounds if the Mysore Kingdom royals, it is now s protected national park that is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site classification.

We stayed at a fantastic resort (with a stellar buffet) called Kuruba Safari Lodge. They organized jeep and boat safaris and an early morning nature walk for our group – it was our first time bird watching. (A pleasant experience but it does not seem to be an inherent passion for me.)

This is a beautiful place and I am very happy that we got a chance to spend some time there.

in 1974, the Indian goverment built a dam to control flooding and help with irrigation in the area. Much of the Nagarhole Reserve was flooded by the resulting lake.

Teams of locals fish by scaring fish into waiting nets.

The lodge had a boat to ferry passengers to the reserve across the lake.

Residual trees that were killed by new lake.

There are several types of deer in the park.

Deer trying to hide.

Monkey checking things out.

As we were there after the monsoons, the peacocks had shed their tail feathers. Still looking good though.

Nuture in nature.

We went for an early morning nature/birdwatching tour. The first bird was loacted just outside of the lodge’s restaurant.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Millipede on display.

That’s one big slug.

Flower – good excuse to play with new macro lens.

Daily commute.

Pea pumpkin – teeny tiny pumpkins apparently.

Flower close-up.

Butterflies.

Local vegetation.

Butterfly.

Local vegetation.

Butterfly.

Budgie

Heron.

Hunter.

Kingfisher (yes, just like the beer)

Bird.

Bird.

Bird.

Cormorant sunning itself.

Cormorant fleeing from the Totos.

Cormorant nest.

Hornbill.

Sun setting on Nagarhole.