The 7D was fast in focusing and with an impressive eight-frames-per-second high speed continuous shooting, we were able to capture the expression of a calling langur and a wild boar dashing across the road. Tadoba is also rich in avian fauna. We could see many varieties of birds at a single waterhole, including Magpie Robin, Indian Pitta, Oriental White-eye, Green Bee-eater and Paradise flycatcher, among others. This was one time, though, when we wished we had a lens with a longer focal length!
Tadoba taught us a great lesson – that you need more that just equipment and will power to photograph tigers. Though our group was not lucky this time, we could see some satisfied people who did not know how to contain their excitement after seeing a tiger with cubs. We hope we will be lucky to find a tiger the next time.
Mapping our drive
Navigation systems used abroad are truly awesome and the practice of not carrying map books is fast gaining acceptance in India, thanks to the competent GPS devices that are available in our market.
However, I had not relied upon them completely before and so, on the trip to Tadoba, I decided to do my homework before leaving. Taking the help of the most beloved search engine, I routed the way to Chandrapur via Nanded and Nirmal. Unfortunately, this route turned out to be a nightmare. Not only were the roads slow, they were badly broken at most places and non-existent in certain sections. Battling the craters, we took over 15 hours to reach our destination.
hough, I decided to let MapMyIndia’s navigation system undertake the task of setting the route for me.
To my surprise, the GPS jotted a slightly longer route than the one I had taken on my way to Chandrapur. It was about 70-80 km longer, which led me to dread one extra hour of driving. However, it turned out to be a completely different story. The navigation system had found out the quickest way that included better toll highways (which were worth every paisa that we paid). Not only did we manage to be back home in less than 12 hours (saving three hours straightaway), but also could enjoy a journey far more comfortable. Kudos to MayMyIndia!
About the Tadoba-Andhari
Tiger Reserve
The Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve was declared a National Park back in 1955. Not only is it the oldest National Park in the state of Maharashtra, but also the largest wildlife reserve spread over an area of 625 sq km (116 sq km of those form the National Park and 509 sq km the Wildlife Sanctuary). Basically, the tiger reserve comprises two areas – Tadoba, which gets its name from the Tadoba lake in it, and Andhari, which gets its name from the river Andhari flowing through this range. There are about 80 different species of mammals, 280 species of birds, 100 species of butterflies, 26 species of spiders, 30 species of reptiles (including 25 species of snakes), five species of amphibians and 23 species of fish in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The common avian fauna of 280 species recorded includes 50 species of migratory birds and 158 species of resident birds.
The closest town to the reserve for good accommodation and food is Chandrapur, which is about 25 kilometres from the reserve.
CAPTIONS:
1.Pugmarks often give rise to a lot of hope of a tiger sighting. However, sometimes you just have to accept the fact that he isn’t there when you have reached and that you aren’t lucky
2.The Toyota Fortuner had to deal with a lot of off-roading, something that it is best at
3.(Above) Deer graze on the bank of the Tadoba Lake
4.(Below) The reserve boasts of a variety of wildlife species
5.Visitors have to park their vehicles in a queue outside the entrance to the reserve to book their entry. This needs to be done hours before the gates open
6.Visitors have to park their vehicles in a queue outside the entrance to the reserve to book their entry. This needs to be done hours before the gates open
7.The remnants of a ‘happy meal’ enjoyed by a tiger. Also a clue to its perambulations within the reserve
8.Extreme heat forces the authorities to refill the waterholes frequently
