The previous trip to Bhadra had really blown my expectations of the place, so with a long weekend, I decided that it was definitely worth another visit to see if we could get another memorable trip here. The drive down was pleasant and I was prepared for the forest camera fees. It still feels unfair and given that it changes depending on the popularity of the spot makes it even more like a state sponsored fleecing exercise. The cottages still have some of the best views amongst all the JLRs though, overlooking the reservoir and this along with the increased sightings have made Bhadra wildlife sanctuary a more popular one which reflects in the higher prices.
The evening jeep safari started lazily with a few spotted deer, a monitor lizard, giant squirrels and a couple of raptors, but as the evening set in, things got more interesting as a female Malabar Trogon made an appearance and we found a leopard scurrying through at some distance. The next morning's boat safari was just as eventful, with another leopard watching us from the shore as we saw a few ospreys, grey headed fish eagles and great think-knees. No trip to bhadra is complete without watching the river terns on the island and despite the recent weather changes, there were quite a few terns fishing and hanging around the island.
After a few dips in the reservoir and some boating along the area, I spent the afternoon looking for birds in the campus. A lone tusker in the distance beyond the waters kept me company for a while and then a shama, leafbirds and a paradise flycatcher came down to the parking lot for a drink of water as the day grew hotter. That evening's jeep safari and the next morning's did not have any more larger carnivores, but we saw quite a few birds which kept the safaris fun. A crested serpent eagle swooped in for a kill which was hidden behind a log, a brown fish owl watched us lazily, while rufous woodpeckers went about their foraging without giving us a second glance. Malabar pied hornbills flew to their roosts in the evening and a few kingfishers flew by occasionally to keep us busy clicking photos. The trip was not as eventful as the last one, but despite that, it was still a fun trip to the backwaters.
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