Here is the grand finale of our Wanderlust Chronicles. Please bear with me. This is a long post, as I’d rather do a wrap, than keep you hanging. These pictures are from our family escapades in the wilderness and we all have a lot to share with you. 🙂
A golden river, an oxbow lake, dense, mystical forests, and a jaunt in the Himalayas.
November 2023
A short road trip with mi familia and Daddy dearest in tow, in the wee-hours of a misty November morning from our ancestral home; proved to be a brilliant prequel to our pre-Diwali celebrations.
We were visiting the Purbasthali Bird Sanctuary, on the Chupi Char lake, in the Eastern Burdwan district, of West Bengal.
Our boat languorously floated amongst the invasive, yet enticing Water Hyacinths that dot the oxbow lake with their delicate, pinkish-purple blooms. The multiple isles of this lake lie on the meandering course of Bhagirathi – Hooghly rivers. This still water lake is known to attract over 70 species of local and migratory birds.
Bird Watching at Purbasthali Wildlife Sanctuary
Here’s the complete list of 27 species of birds that showed up for us at Chupi-Char lake.
On a chilly, foggy Christmas Day we drove to the serene forests of Kalagarh Tiger Reserve. Kalagarh is the Northern part of Corbett National park, in Uttarakhand, North India. We stayed three nights in the FRHs (Forest Rest Houses). The quaint Mundiapani FRH lay nestled by a hillock and a gurgling stream that was mostly bustling with activity. The local species that could be sighted here were barking deer (one shyly greeted us upon our arrival, only to bolt away at lightening speed), loads of birds including Red starts, some otters which we missed seeing, and a tiger that visited regularly, but eluded us. Though we were woken up to screechy alarm calls in the middle of the night. Wonder which apex predator was on the prowl that night- a leopard or a tiger!
After spending the first night in the lush lap of nature, in Mundiapani FRH, we moved into Halipadao FRH located in the heart of the forests, in the Sona Nadi Wildlife sanctuary. We would go for our morning and evening safaris into these dense forests that were adorned by an undulating, lush, hilly landscape.
The king of the forests , the tiger; is one of the key highlights of the Corbett forests, but this thick forest gave us no peak, of the king. All we saw were big, freshly minted pug marks. But we weren’t really chasing tigers and were happy to let the forest unfold for us, what was meant to be.
A little something about the patrolling elephant in the forest, on my Interspecies communication page, Nature’s Voice.
Adventures in the Mountains
Thereafter, we drove down to the hills of Uttarakhand, where we brought in the New Year 2024. Sharing a few snippets of the glorious Blue Cottage we stayed at, and the adjoining hills.
It’s wrap up now for my Wanderlust Chronicles from 2023. I hope you enjoyed reading them, as much as I did, putting them all together.
You can catch the other two parts here, if you haven’t, or would like a re-read:
Loved the bird pictures. It’s interesting, when I look at the birds you have and we don’t (which is almost all of those) I can still see familiar features – the crest of your kingfisher, the tail coloration of your jay. I wouldn’t be able to tell your three white egrets apart, either, although we also have a couple here in the Northeast United States. Many of our spring and summer birds aren’t resident; they migrate south and west for the winter, so it’s so wonderful when they are all here summering. Alana ramblinwitham
What a wonderful post loved all the photos and interesting to 🙂
Have a grandfinaletastic weekend Natasha I added your link to mine sorry about that didn’t know what went wrong stevebethere recently posted…WW On A Tuesday – Looks Better
Hey Natasha. Not really. Busy with other things. But always a delight to read your posts. Yes, it is Common Moorhen. Thank you again for transporting me back to those idle and peaceful bird-watching days 🙂
Your vivid descriptions and beautiful photos make me feel like I was there with you, Natasha.
The diverse bird sightings, especially the Jacanas and Scarlet Minivet, are a nature lover’s dream.
The Blue Cottage sounds like the perfect New Year retreat.
I can almost feel the mountain air and hear the birds.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful moments.
I enjoyed every moment of your journey.
Spectacular, beautiful, inspiring and I may say serene!
I love the photos with birds. Excellent shots!
I hope you’ll make new interesting journeys and share them with us…
All the best, dear Natasha!
Love, light and joy in your life!❤️
I so enjoyed wandering through this delightful piece, Natasha. You can make your posts as long as you like, we’ll all love them I’m sure! Keith’s Ramblings recently posted…Pics!
What a wonderful post! I loved all the birds, beautifully captured.
The outings look wonderful I love the water views of the lake and river.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.
Have a great day!
Wonderful reading here, Natasha and the birdies…they had our special attention today 😀 We only knew a few of them, but of course they’re all beautiful. We have little redstarts here too, not like the water redstart, but just baby redstarts. They talk like a Stork 😀 We loved your pictures and they look all purrfect! Double Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend my furriend 🙂 ♥♥
Such beautiful pictures Natasha. Took me back to birdwatching days with my dad in Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. And is that a Purple Moor Hen in the initial click?
I again fact checked and it’s neither Meha. It’s a Common Moorhen. glad you pointed out as it helped me open my Birds of India book and check with fellow birders too.
What a fantastic vacation Natasha. I was really fascinated by all the birds you spotted and photographed. You do know a lot about the wildlife. Thanks for sharing. Sadje recently posted…Precious Hope
What a lovely way to spend your time! Thank you for sharing your adventures, Natasha. I enjoyed your photos and all the different birds. Debbie D. recently posted…COBALT BLUE #SundayStills (On a Monday) #Photography
22 thoughts on “Wanderlust Chronicles III – The Grand Finale”
What a pleasure to read of your adventures.
The photographs provide an incredible visual accent to a marvelous journey.
Thank you for allowing us to accompany you on such an intimate trip.
Wally Jones recently posted…A Joyful Day
Loved the bird pictures. It’s interesting, when I look at the birds you have and we don’t (which is almost all of those) I can still see familiar features – the crest of your kingfisher, the tail coloration of your jay. I wouldn’t be able to tell your three white egrets apart, either, although we also have a couple here in the Northeast United States. Many of our spring and summer birds aren’t resident; they migrate south and west for the winter, so it’s so wonderful when they are all here summering. Alana ramblinwitham
Your photos are beautiful. I was surprised that the kingfisher looks the same as those in the UK.
What a wonderful adventure. What wonderful photography. You look at one with nature.
Love the quote about elephants. We never forget them indeed.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. Love and hugs, Sweet Natasha. ♥
Comedy Plus recently posted…Wordless Wednesday
What a wonderful post loved all the photos and interesting to 🙂
Have a grandfinaletastic weekend Natasha
I added your link to mine sorry about that didn’t know what went wrong
stevebethere recently posted…WW On A Tuesday – Looks Better
Hey Natasha. Not really. Busy with other things. But always a delight to read your posts. Yes, it is Common Moorhen. Thank you again for transporting me back to those idle and peaceful bird-watching days 🙂
It’s a hobby worth getting back to Meha.
Your vivid descriptions and beautiful photos make me feel like I was there with you, Natasha.
The diverse bird sightings, especially the Jacanas and Scarlet Minivet, are a nature lover’s dream.
The Blue Cottage sounds like the perfect New Year retreat.
I can almost feel the mountain air and hear the birds.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful moments.
Hugs and blessings, dearest friend
Your travel pics are excellent. I l9ve the bird photos and the kingfisher photos are great. Listen to all the music…just nice to listen to
I enjoyed every moment of your journey.
Spectacular, beautiful, inspiring and I may say serene!
I love the photos with birds. Excellent shots!
I hope you’ll make new interesting journeys and share them with us…
All the best, dear Natasha!
Love, light and joy in your life!❤️
I so enjoyed wandering through this delightful piece, Natasha. You can make your posts as long as you like, we’ll all love them I’m sure!
Keith’s Ramblings recently posted…Pics!
Thanks dear Keith for always being super kind.
What a wonderful post! I loved all the birds, beautifully captured.
The outings look wonderful I love the water views of the lake and river.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post.
Have a great day!
Wonderful reading here, Natasha and the birdies…they had our special attention today 😀 We only knew a few of them, but of course they’re all beautiful. We have little redstarts here too, not like the water redstart, but just baby redstarts. They talk like a Stork 😀 We loved your pictures and they look all purrfect! Double Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend my furriend 🙂 ♥♥
Such beautiful pictures Natasha. Took me back to birdwatching days with my dad in Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. And is that a Purple Moor Hen in the initial click?
Lovely to see you here, it’s been a while! Are you back to blogging?
It is now known as Grey Headed Swamp hen dear Meha; like I mentioned in the post.
I again fact checked and it’s neither Meha. It’s a Common Moorhen. glad you pointed out as it helped me open my Birds of India book and check with fellow birders too.
What a fantastic vacation Natasha. I was really fascinated by all the birds you spotted and photographed. You do know a lot about the wildlife. Thanks for sharing.
Sadje recently posted…Precious Hope
What a lovely way to spend your time! Thank you for sharing your adventures, Natasha. I enjoyed your photos and all the different birds.
Debbie D. recently posted…COBALT BLUE #SundayStills (On a Monday) #Photography
So many amazing things and such wonderful photo. I’m glad you shared the fun with all of us!
Natasha, what a lovely post! I am packing my bags inspired by you! ❤️
Hope all is good.
Love your travel chronicles. Your pictures are giving me major travel goals.
Sonia Dogra recently posted…Has Blogging Changed?