The Mowgli Land- Pench National park🐯🏞#tripotocommunity #wildlife

We booked two safaris- morning and afternoon.

Woke up early morning, packed our breakfast and head out to the wilderness.

The waiting line was long at the turia gate which opens at 6:00 am. They checked the documents and bookings with additional temperature and mask check (COVID-19 precautions) and appointed a guide.

And behold the enchanted forest 🌲

The Misty winter morning with cold breeze over your faces and a tint of sunlight filtered through the leaves of trees. The chitals and sambhars roaming like dogs on the street. Gazing their way into the forest. Grey Langurs and their babies hopping from one branch to another letting fruits and leaves fall on the ground for their chital friends.

Stopping at the lakes and ponds to see the migratory birds like Red Throated Fly Catcher, Jacobin Cuckoo, Brahmini duck, Bar-headed Goose

(Don't forget a nice binocular and big lens camera if you are a bird watcher)

The safari jeeps make a pit stop at a small picnic spot in the heart of the forest, where you can have your breakfast and morning tea.

Other wildlife we encountered during the safari include a pair of golden jackals, some lonely dholes, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild pigs. And a big monitor lizard sunbathing on a rock. HIGHLIGHT

At points we heard some monkey and chital calls, we waited and waited. That was thrilling times when you hear the calls and your eyes are in every direction, just a single noise can race your heart and you want something to happen, to hop in front of you and surprise you but it's just luck, but that whole moment was definitely an adrenaline rush...

Still No tiger..

The afternoon safari was not much of any fun just saw the same nilgai and some more jackals and dholes and lot of chitals and sambars

Still the forest was beautiful and quiet.

This trips highlight was definitely how many birds I captured. I never realised I'm interested in bird photography until now. The moment of wait and after so many attempts you capture the one that you can post and help you identify the species. That was surreal.

We came back to our resort and spend the day relaxing, reading and watching more birds in our backyard. At the evening, we went to see kohka lake. The road to the location was not easy, it was narrow and circling the lake which make it difficult for more than one vehicle to pass at a time. But the view was worth it.

One can also visit the nearby pottery village for another relaxing day.

It was obviously disappointing to miss the big cat again but the forest was magical. Witnessing the wild in their natural habitat. The feeling of peace and quiet, the freshness of the breeze and the sound of nature. No traffic, no unwanted noises, no chaotic markets just silence.

Everyone should have that experience once in their lifetime.

Because once you have started, you can never get enough.