Visit to Nanmangalam
Visit to Nanmangalam
With a few members of MNS we set out to Nanmangalam reserve forest a few kilometers from Madras. The place was the site of several abandoned quarries, and is now supposedly an Army commando camp. We didnt see any signs of military life, just some local kids playing.
We were there to see the Eurasian Eagle owl (or Great Indian Horned Owl) which was reported to be nesting near the quarries. Vikram had come here before and seen the owl. It was late afternoon, about 3 pm when we reached Nanmangalam. It was hot, and we were getting roasted. There were not too many birds. I was having a fever, but I didnt want to miss this chance.
We came to the first quarry where some guys were boozing and taking bath (the quarry had filled up with rain water). We didnt wait there, and went on to the next quarry. The rock was dull and grey and we didnt see any owl. Then Vikram, who had been scanning the area with his zoom lens, told us very quietly that he spotted the owl. I looked through my binos slowly over the rock and, for a while i didnt see anythng. Then suddenly, I saw it, a large great brown shape, perfectly camoflagued with the rock. The horns were clearly visible. There was no nest, the owl was just sitting on the rock. It was sometimes looking in the direction of the boozing guys who were just visible in the adjacent quarry. Then, with great orange eyes, it looked straight at us. It was a great moment.
Then suddely it moved to the edge of the rock, flapped its wings and flew into another nearby quarry. We probably disturbed it. Only when it flew did I realise its size...it was huge.
It was an unforgettable experience.
With a few members of MNS we set out to Nanmangalam reserve forest a few kilometers from Madras. The place was the site of several abandoned quarries, and is now supposedly an Army commando camp. We didnt see any signs of military life, just some local kids playing.
We were there to see the Eurasian Eagle owl (or Great Indian Horned Owl) which was reported to be nesting near the quarries. Vikram had come here before and seen the owl. It was late afternoon, about 3 pm when we reached Nanmangalam. It was hot, and we were getting roasted. There were not too many birds. I was having a fever, but I didnt want to miss this chance.
We came to the first quarry where some guys were boozing and taking bath (the quarry had filled up with rain water). We didnt wait there, and went on to the next quarry. The rock was dull and grey and we didnt see any owl. Then Vikram, who had been scanning the area with his zoom lens, told us very quietly that he spotted the owl. I looked through my binos slowly over the rock and, for a while i didnt see anythng. Then suddenly, I saw it, a large great brown shape, perfectly camoflagued with the rock. The horns were clearly visible. There was no nest, the owl was just sitting on the rock. It was sometimes looking in the direction of the boozing guys who were just visible in the adjacent quarry. Then, with great orange eyes, it looked straight at us. It was a great moment.
Then suddely it moved to the edge of the rock, flapped its wings and flew into another nearby quarry. We probably disturbed it. Only when it flew did I realise its size...it was huge.
It was an unforgettable experience.
posted by pappu at 7:40 AM
0 comments
