Birding in Satpura – Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher at Satpura

Common Kingfisher at Satpura

I visited Satpura in December 2015 as a guest of Forsyth Lodge. We went on different types of safaris in the forest across the Denwa river. Of all our excursions, I loved the canoe ride across the Denwa river the best. I got the best bird photos ever, that morning. And of all the birds that I shot, this common Kingfisher was the friendliest. We watched in awe as it patiently preened itself. I shot several frames and almost every one of them was a keeper.

If you ever visit Satpura, don’t miss the canoe ride early in the morning. This is a great way to experience not just the wildlife near the banks, but also watch the sunrise. On our trip we also went on a jungle walk. To read about the various activities offered by Forsyth Lodge, read my travel report here.

Sunrise at Deoria Tal Lake at 8000 feet

Sunrise at Deoria-Tal

Sunrise at Deoria-Tal

Deoria Tal is a lake at an altitude of 2438 meters or 8000 feet in the Gharwal region of Uttaranchal. I camped here as part of a 5 day trek during which we covered Deoria Tal, Tunganath and Chandrashila. Tunganath is the highest Shiva temple in the world at around 12,000 feet and Chandrashila is a summit above Tunganath at 13000 feet.

The trek from the village of Sari to Deoria Tal takes 2 to 3 hours and is completely uphill via a well paved path. Sari is the last village accessible by road. Deoria Tal offers plenty of camping opportunities.  Locals operate dhabbas during the season, so you are never too far away from food and drink. A two night stay at Deoria Tal will give you a chance to explore the heavily wooded jungles of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. This area is a paradise for bird lovers.

Deoria Tal offers splendid views of the Kedaranath peak and Chaukambha peak. Towards the evening, the waters become still and mirror the beautiful surroundings. It stays this way till the morning. I shot this photograph during a cold winter sunrise. The aforementioned peaks are only partially visible due to cloud cover. Deoria Tal offered an excellent start to the next 3 nights we spent in the jungle.