A Foggy Morning in Kabini

Published on: 01/03/2018

Photo Credits: Sheshadri Vasan

The name Kabini brings a big smile on my face and I am sure it’s the same with people who have visited this magical forest, which is a part of the Nagarahole National Park in Karnataka. It is a place which one would love to visit time and time again, especially a wildlife enthusiast and photographer like me.

The Kabini area is home to a large variety of wild animals. Black Panther, Tigers, Leopards and Elephants top the charts. However, it is also a safe haven for many birds from big raptors to smaller ones like Eagles, Owls, Bee-eaters and reptiles like Snakes, Crocodiles, Monitor-Lizards and so on.

On a foggy morning in the month of October, I set out for my game drive by 6:30 am. The forest was filled with thick fog with very low visibility and I was barely able to see anything beyond 3-5 meters making it difficult to spot any wildlife. Early mornings are very crucial, especially to sight the Big Cats, as they prefer to move around at this hour before the temperature goes up. Like any other morning safari this time as well I was engrossed in searching for a Big Cat and had already spent close to an hour in the woods with no luck on my side.

By now the fog has started clearing up and visibility was better. I asked my driver friend to move in a particular direction where I thought I saw a raptor perched on a dead tree.

It was not very clear to the naked eyes and I took help of my camera to take a few shots. I quickly reviewed those 3-4 images and I was right, it was a raptor called The Crested Hawk-eagle. I could also see, not very clearly though, an uneven formation near the talons of the eagle and I asked my driver friend to take the jeep closer to the dead tree. And to my surprise, I could see a huge Monitor-lizard which was held very firmly by this big bird of prey.

Photo Credits: Sheshadri Vasan

I have seen Eagles feeding on prey many times, but this was something which I had never seen in my life. A huge bird taking down a prey equal to its size was something very special and rare. It was a natural history moment, which had unfolded in front me. Also, what impressed me was the calmness coupled with sheer focus of the bird. The powerful talons which were holding the huge prey and the killer looks of the bird were truly a delight to document though my camera.

I have been visiting the forests for more than a decade now and never come back disappointed as each time I have learnt and seen something new in nature and my connection with it gets deeper.

Photo Credits: Sheshadri Vasan

Sheshadri Vasan

Sheshadri Vasan is a Business Management professional, an avid wildlife enthusiast and a hobbyist natural history photographer. He is from Bangalore and loves to travel to the jungles in his free time. He has visited most of the National parks and Tiger Reserves across the country and abroad along with his wife, who is equally passionate about nature and wildlife. Seshadri’s work has won him accolades from Karnataka State Government’s Tourism and the Forest departments. His work has been published in many nature & wildlife magazines and also in national print media like the Times of India and television. He can be contacted on: vasan.sheshadri@gmail.com

Coorg

Hampi

Kabini

Kalahari

A Foggy Morning in Kabini

The Kabini area is home to a large variety of wild animals. Black Panther, Tigers, Leopards and Elephants top the charts. However, it is also a safe haven for many birds from big raptors to smaller ones like Eagles, Owls, Bee-eaters and reptiles like Snakes, Crocodiles, Monitor-Lizards and so on.

By now the fog has started clearing up and visibility was better. I asked my driver friend to move in a particular direction where I thought I saw a raptor perched on a dead tree.

I have been visiting the forests for more than a decade now and never come back disappointed as each time I have learnt and seen something new in nature and my connection with it gets deeper.

Sheshadri Vasan