One has to be lucky enough to photograph the targetted subject in a Focussed trip.
Sundays doesnt get better than getting something like this accomplished.This time the focus was on Photographing the Black Bucks (Antelope cervicepra).
Maidenahalli(Jayamangali) Blackbuck Reserve is the second largest population of Blackbuck in Karnataka, after Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary. It neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk, at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state. This area is a part of the plains of Deccan plateau and borders Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is a 839 acre patch of grasslands, a perfect Habitat for Black Bucks. These are one of the most photogenic animals, when sighted in open Grasslands like Maidenahalli.
Climate :--> The climate varies greatly according to the seasons. The temperature varies between a minimum of 8 degree centigrade in winter to a maximum of 43 degree centigrade in summer.The rainy season is from late June to mid October. The average of rainfall is approximately 30 to 35 cm.The vegetation is mainly plain grassland
Flora and Fauna :-->More than 80 species of plants have been recorded from this area. Many of these plants have medicinal value.67 Species of Butterflies belonging to 7 families have been sighted in the area. Most of the species recorded are common throughout the Indian Peninsula and some are typical of the arid regions. According to the census, about 600 Black Bucks were recorded, but are difficult to locate as they travel upto 14 kms around.
The horns of the Blackbuck are ringed with 3 to 4 turns and can be as long as 28 inches. The Adult males can grow as tall as 32 inches and can weigh as much as 95 pounds. In the male, the upper body is black (dark brown), and the belly and eye rings are white. The light-brown female is usually hornless. Blackbucks usually roam the plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one dominant male. The Greatest threat to these animals is Poaching. Black Bucks are hunted for Sport, its skin and flesh. Im sorry to say one of my favorite Bollywood Actor is facing a charge of killing this beautiful creature, FOR FUN !! ??Apart from Black Bucks, this place is so rich in Bird Life. About 125 species of birds belonging to 37 families have been recorded in the area, of which 22 are migratory. As expected of grasslands, the area is rich in ground birds, shrikes, larks and raptors. Ive managed to Photograph few of the commanly found Birds of the region ( Bushchats, Shrikes and Starligs )
4 comments:
Very informative .. Why dont you add, how to get to this place?
Got to visit this place man..
Getting there: The best way to get there is to drive down from Bangalore city (about 3 hrs drive). Jayamangali area is about 23 km away from Madhugiri Town and about 138 km from Bangalore.
Driving directions to Jayamangali grasslands from Bangalore City: (Day trips can be made from Bangalore)
1) Drive on the National Highway 4 towards Tumkur town.
2) 3.5 kilometres after the Kyathasandra Highway toll gate and about 3 kilometres before Tumkur City, the Highway splits into Shimoga Road (which enters Tumkur City) and Sira Road (which bypasses Tumkur City).
3) Travel on the Tumkur Bypass / Sira Road for about 4 km and you should reach an under-construction overpass. Go North (turn right) towards Madhugiri Town.
4) Travel on the Madhugiri Road for 41 kilometres till you reach Madhugiri Town (Road update as of May 20, 2007: Road has been tarred recently and is in a good condition. BUT be careful of big speedbreakers, of which there are at every village).
5) From Madhugiri Town take the road to Hindupur Town i.e. drive east/ right turn. Please note, about 1.5 km from Madhugiri Town the roadsplits into Hindupur Road on the left (north-east) and Chikballapur/Gowridbidanur Road that goes straight (east). It's easy to be confused here. You have to make a left turn (north-east) towards Hindupur.
6) 11 Kilometres from Madhugiri and just before the bridge over Jayamangali River / Kodegenahalli village, you will reach Puruvaravillage. Here you will see a board depicting Blackbuck on the left.
7) Make a left turn (North) and travel on the ID Halli village road for 8 km
8) Along the way the habitat abruptly changes into open plains, here an unmetalled track turns north-east. Take this track. (It's easy to be confused here too). Please enquire with the local villagers if you are not sure.
9) The grasslands and blackbuck habitat begins on this track. You can stop your car and bird along the track.This is just a metalled track and is basically soil and stones. Drive very carefully and avoid driving small cars on this road. 4 km down this track you will reach the gates of Mydenahalli or Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve. Pass through the gates and park your vehicle at the watch tower.
Courtesy : Ameen (Tumkur)
Amazing photographs.. :)
Black Bucks are well captured, so are the birds..
Why don't you write more often?
@sandeep
Surething. I shall consider updating this page regurlarly. Just that i was a lil busy offlate.
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