Nature Watch @ Kumta

Nature Watch @ Kumta

The first 5 days of the holidays was spent in visiting historic place & trekking (Chitradurga) , visiting temples & relatives @ Kumta.

So it was time to look for greener pastures now. So woke up early morning and along with my father started off to the nearby estuary (mangroves/backwaters) by walk. On the way Papa told the history of the estuary and its importance. Aghanashini estuary is ear marked as a bio diversity heritage site and comes under Coastal Regulation Zone – CRZ 1 . No new construction is allowed in entire area to protect its bio diversity.

This area has endangered olive-ridley turtles and is rich in mangroves, rare species of birds and aquatic creatures.

Clicked  some lovely pictures of sunrise and some birds. We reached the place where there was a fisherman catching some fishes. Asked  him to take us for a round of boating. The boat had hardly any place to sit, and every time I tried turning to click some photos, the boat was going off balance.

                                   

We saw some women who were on their way to collect shells and pearls from bare hands in the mangroves. This story and the scenic places are captured well in “Rajkumar’s movie “Ondu Mutthina Kathe” (Story of a pearl)

And there were interesting moments, wherein Rower left us in mid water and swam in water, then walked over in muddy water and collected this plank and came back to boat.

Could  get some clicks of pond herons ,egrets and a close up of Brahminy Kite.

The afternoon was spent in the house and garden.

Some of the Birds spotted and photographed in Kumta:

Indian pitta, Indian Hawk cuckoo, Lesser coucal, greater coucal, white breasted kingfisher, blue eared kingfisher, large, median, little egret, cattle egret, asian paradise flycatcher, purple sunbird, pond heron, barbet, red wattled lapwing, brahminy kite, black kite, red vented bulbul, red whiskered bulbul, eurasian collared dove, spotted dove, oriental magpie robin, sparrow lark, white browed wagtail,rose ringed parakeet, chest nut bee eater, green bee eater.

Evening was spent in watching the sunset and playing in the beach.

Trip to Chitradurga-Fort & Private Beach Holiday @Kumta

Our trips have most of the times been half planned. Usually the intent is put in place – where to Go , and when .The fine lines are left flexible. This time we had planned for Home trip in a Hot summer.

We actually started off at 4.30 pm against the plan of 2 pm from bangalore.

After some sunset photos near Nelamangala , reached Chitradurga at 8.30 pm

 

The night was pleasant with the dark sky and occasional distant lightning in different directions at different times. With long patient wait finally managed to click in the right direction of the lightning.

The lightning was right there – The bright light forking out to various branches. Only thing I cudnt get the photo of it. But there was this message in it

There are many things in life which we can see, feel, live and have achieved . Life throws up a lot of opportunities and moments. Its upto us how we make the best of it, feel satisfied with what we have and at same time have the urge to achieve more.-------There were Miles to Go before I Sleep (in life).

Next day morning we were right in front of the Chitradurga Fort @ 7 AM . Chitradurga Fort – referred as “Yelu Suttina Kote ” (Seven circles fort)– was built by several dynasties in 10- 18^th centuries.

The trekkers can spend a whole day here trekking up to the top portion and visiting 18 temples here.  We took a guide and went through listening the stories about the fort.

Hidimbeshwara temple , Akka Tangaiyara kola, various gates, Uyyale , Chitra Vichitra rocks in the fort and mountain(all naturally formed) which looks like Elephant, Rabbit,Ship,Frog,Hansa geete(swan songs) and finally the Obavvana Kindi (which is historically famous).

Saw demo from kids how Hyder Ali's soldiers had crawled thru the Kindi - which is now named after Obavva after her heroics ..

Had a sumptuous breakfast at old n famous Sri Laxmi Bhavan Tiffin room . Khali Dosa with ghee is a must eat here.

Other places to see in and around Chitradurga - Chandravalli Ankali Caves, Jogimatti, Vanivilas Sagar dam. Places to stay - Naveen Regency, Aishwarya Fort, Amogha International,Veda Comforts,Mayura Deluxe. The first two are better for family stay.  Place to eat - not to miss - Sri Laxmi Bhavan Tiffin Room.

With lots of memories of the historical town Chitra durga started to Hubli.  Route taken Bangalore – Pune highway.

                         

Further took the Hubli- Ankola highway passing through jungles in Kirwatti and Yellapur. Places to see near Yellapur – Magod falls,  Jenukallu valley, Sathodi falls. Being summer and water was less so did not spend time in the falls and continued to Kumta.

Reached Kumta by 6 pm and went for sunset @ our own Private Beach.

We had planned for 70^th birthday celebration of my father(Pappa)- a small pooja, homa for wishing a long life to my parents and also to thank them for all what they have given us.

Started the day early waking up by chirping birds. 

                                                                    Sunrise - view from backyard of the house

 

After the pooja had a delicious lunch served to all relatives and friends of family.

Among the gifts received the best was a "Parker Pen" reminding Pappa that he is still active in his teaching profession and also proving Pen is Mightier than all the Gifts - :p)

It was followed with visits to temple @ Bada, Idagunji and Karikan Parameshwari.

View of Valley from Top

Ended the Day with the walk@ the beach

Thus ended the first leg of the tour - Historical place, beaches, Pooja, Parents Birthday function and visit to temples.