Phansad again

I'm back from a quick trip to Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, with last months memories strong I decided to get one more doze of this beautiful forest before the summer heat gets too much too handle.

I'll start off a few shots from Phansad with this slightly artistic photo of a Common Bluebottle in flight

Phansad with its perrenial water bodies is an amazing place for butterflies even in this season.

Check out the interesting eyespot colouration on the Common Evening brown.

This Crested Treeswift chick was found in the nest I photographed last month. To add to its absolute still nature its camouflage ensures its safety from any potential predator.

Interestingly, once again my prized catch from Phansad is an Owl.
But this time around a Brown Fish Owl.

Sorry about the bad quality of the pic - I guess this is the best I can do using my digi-binocing technique on an overcast day and in dense foliage.

Found this guy at Chikhalghan, Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

Volunteer training programme - Module 2

One of the main topics that was covered as part of the second module was 'Birds'. This was taken during the bird watching trail along the Karvi trail on the first day.

A pair of Chestnut-shouldered Petronias' has been using this slightly odd spot to nest over the last couple of years.

Snapped this fellow near the 'Quarry' - during one of the trails focusing on bird-watching.

As part of the VTP we were all asked to write a story based on a few very interesting topics given to us by Dr.V.Shubhalaxmi. Since I wasn't too confident of my writing skills I decided to make this Illustration based on a few stories on the topic - "Public Interest Litigation by the Flamingoes of Sewri".

Found this beauty on her Food Plant in the butterfly garden outside CEC.

Volunteer training programme - Module 1

Being in Mumbai has great advantages -even for nature lovers. I've been fortunate enough to attend the Volunteer training programme (VTP) held at the Conservation Education Centre (CEC, Near Filmcity, Goregaon (East), Mumbai- 400065) by BNHS. This programme has been initiated to train volunteers in the field of natural history and environment education.

The course which is split into two modules over two weekends is being conducted by Researchers/Volunteers of the BNHS.

These were clicked during the nature trails conducted in the course of the first Module of the VTP

Nagla, SGNP

Summer is here ... and it sure was hot this morning at Nagla.
A lot of butterfly activity still on here (Mud puddling).

Snapped this fellow as he tried chasing around a few dying butterflies within his territory.


A few nice bird sightings as well, some highlights -
Common Rosefinches
Indian Grey Hornbill
Tickel's Blue Flycatcher
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Emerald Dove
Yellow footed green Pigeon