Valparai and Topslip

With the late monsoons finally receding, we had time for a long trip to Tamil Nadu. Valparai, famous for its scenic tea estates and Lion tailed macaques was a nice place to start. After almost an entire day's drive (I was a permanent passenger and never a driver so never really tired) we got there late in the evening. Searching along the regular crossing areas for the monkeys we found none that evening. To top it off Vinay drove the car into a near invisible stair near the accommodation.

The next day however was a lot better. Scouting since early morning we found the LTMs at a tea estate near the crossing. A few hundred shots from all of us later we went on further to search for great hornbills. On finding those though, the sudden pouring rain made it impossible to photograph. The landscapes of course were gorgeous throughout. Some other interesting birds that we saw were scimitar babblers, malabar whistling thrush and forest wagtail. An evening trip to the Sholaiyar dam gave us some more spectacular views of the sunset and fog at the dam.

The drive to Topslip via Pollachi the next day was equally enjoyable. After having got accommodation at a place 3 km from the reception in the forest, the rains again forced us to drive around rather than trek. The next morning however was clearer. The guide we had called for was not allowed due to some problem of his with the forest department so we had to settle for someone else. Managed to see an emerald dove chick in its nest. Couldn't find any frogmouths. Sandeep did spot a sloth bear but it bolted before we could see it. The drive back to the stay from the reception in the dark was a lot more fun with jungle cats, hares and sambar on the roadside. Birds spotted in this trip were wayanad laughing thrushes, malabar trogons, chestnut winged cuckoo and white bellied treepies.