BIRD of the DAY: Great Hornbill
We started the day with an Indian Pond Heron near our dining shelter. We learned that the vines on the trees by our road produced peppercorns. We saw some interesting wildlife on the way to the western zone of Kaziranga. Another memorable day was awaiting us.
A few farms were on the edge of the park. We stopped to give Canada pencils to some children.
We were soon at the gate to check in and get an armed park guard to accompany us for safety.
Just like yesterday, birds and mammals were abundant. Our cameras were busy!
Some Water Buffalo were happy cooling off in a big mud puddle.
Check them out in action: https://youtu.be/8BaRKw7P5ts
A few more sightings and we headed back for lunch. Note the tiger claw marks on the tree. We enjoyed watching some local boys having fun in the water. Some women celebrating Holi waved at us.
After a bit of birding at our lodge, in the afternoon we returned to the central zone as tigers had been spotted there recently. As today was a Holi holiday, many other safari jeeps would be joining us. We were hoping to see a tiger. While waiting, our driver, Nekib's brother, had his face painted red. A BIG smile!
As expected there were a lot of other visitors at the park today. While we were waiting on a bridge, the jeep behind our jeep hit us quite hard, sending our driver headfirst into the windshield. Nekib quickly poured a bottle of water over the driver's head to reduce swelling. Barbara gave him a cool towelette. He rested a bit and then seemed fine.
We continued on, binoculars busy.
Check out how the Swamp Deer deal with bothersome flies: https://youtu.be/SUKBA4tUSPM
More to see..
We watched some elephants happily feeding beside the road. Video: https://youtu.be/krIA7bwvRg8
Then they decided to cross the road. It was a long procession and we had front row seats. Video: https://youtu.be/xBsgXmt9nJQ
More great sightings...
Towards the end of the afternoon we reached the road where tigers had been spotted. We parked at a lookout tower by the water and climbed up to keep watch for any movement. After a long watch... we saw some movement far down the road.
Here is Shyam's account: "Had great celebration of Holi. it was great to meet Mr.Tiger, the panthera tigris. It was short meeting with them (they were two cubs near about 13 months old). Friends, great to see them when they were crossing the road very fast. It was really memorable."
Barbara got this photo of Nekib's finger pointing at the two cubs as we raced down the road.
Here is Bill's photo:
We congratulated ourselves - it was very special to see the national animal of India. We got a quick shot of the area where the young tigers crossed from.
We drove back to the lodge in the dark as jeeps are not allowed to use lights in the park - the full moon greeted us.
Note from Rick: "We stayed at Kaziranga Park, famous for its Asian one-horned rhinos, elephants and, of course, Tiger. Some of us in the group were fortunate to see two (one year old) tigers. We also saw Lesser and Greater Adjutants, many raptors including Peregrine Falcon, Fish Eagles, Owlets, and many others."
Birds in the Photos Today
Great Hornbill
Indian Pond Heron
Tickell's Leaf Warbler
Red-rumped Swallow
Green Imperial Pigeon
Baya Weaver
Brown Shrike
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
Shikra
Red-breasted Parakeet
Black-hooded Oriole
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Chestnut-tailed Starling
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Spotted Owlet
Asian Openbill
Osprey
Gray-headed Fish Eagle
Eurasian Wigeon
Bronze-winged Jacana
Pied Kingfisher
Lesser Adjutant
Pacific Golden Plover
Scarlet Minivet
Bar-headed Goose
White-throated Kingfisher
Common Iora
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater
Gray-bellied Cuckoo
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Oriental Honey- Buzzard
White-eyed Buzzard
Pallas's Fish Eagle
Greater Spotted Eagle
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Little Egret
Northern Shoveller
Rufous Sibia
Black-headed Ibis
Black Redstart
Common Hoopoe
Asian Barred Owlet
Oriental Darter
Striated Grassbird
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Peregrine Falcon
Alexandrine Parakeet
Greater Coucal
Kalij Pheasant
Bluethroat