30th November, 2019 to 8th December, 2019
Uttarakhand formerly known as Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the "Devabhumi" (literally "Land of the Gods") due to numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for the natural environment of the Himalayas, the Bhabar and the Terai. On 9 November 2000, Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India, being carved from the Himalayan districts of Uttar Pradesh. It borders Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north; the Sudurpashchim Pradesh of Nepal to the east; the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west and north-west. The state is divided into two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon, with a total of 13 districts. The capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, the largest city of the state, which is a rail head. The High Court of the state is located in Nainital.
The land of mountains and pristine forests, UTTARAKHAND
We started our journey towards Sattal situated in district of Nainital on 30th Nov 2019 via Bangalore to Delhi-Dehradun by Air and from there in taxi to CHOPTHA-MANDAL-SATTAL
THE TEAM
S.VISWANATH
Dr.SRIKANTH HEGDE- from Shivamogga
Dr.PARAMESHWAR -from Shivamogga
N.SATEESH
Tour Itinerary- TRAVELOGUE DETAILS
30.11.2019-Saturday - DAY-01
Banglore to Delhi- DEHRADUN
(by INDIGO Air (06-30AM) (6E-2132)- Arrival by 12 PM
Pick up Dehradun airport , 8 hour drive to Chopta from Dehradun Airport.
Overnight at Snow View hotel, Kanda Road, Pothibasa, Ukhimath-246469 - 073516 37172
30th We left Bangalore towards Dehradun as there was no direct flight, the flight route was Bangalore - Delhi- Dehradun, arrived Delhi by 12 pm, from Delhi to Dehradun the departure was 12-45 delayed by 15 mts, finally took off to Dehradun hardly it was a ride of 30 mts to reach Dehradun from Delhi
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| At Dehradun Airport |
Reached Dehradun by 1-30 pm, our guide Mr. Pushkar was waiting with the taxi, along with us another three photographers from Mumbai was also joined together - enroute we had a lunch at Pundir Veg Family Restaurant at Shivpuri, Tehri Garhwal
as district administration was repairing the roads for four lane our PM Project, little traffic jam over the journey
and after lunch we started our journey on the way at 5-30pm we had a tea break at Rudraprayag,
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| TEA BREAK NEAR RUDRAPRAYAG |
finally after crossing devaprayag reached CHOPTHA, we stayed in Hotel Snowview Kanda Road Pothibasa, Ukhimath, Uttarakhand 246469 [Phone: 073516 37172]
as there was a snowfall the temperature at Chopta was 3 deg when we reached over there by 6-45 pm had light snacks and tea and dinner at 7-30 pm as we traveled nearly 8 hours [ and also there is no power over there, only generator will run from 7 to 10pm for charging gadgets and bathing they provide half bucket of hot water]
Next day programmed briefed by Mr. Pushpkar, the Guide, that by 6 am needs to move towards Tunganth for Monal point to see the Himalayan Beauty Pheasant MONAL, as we were all tired we had gone to the bed by 10 pm.
01-12-2019-Sunday-DAY-02
Early morning woke up at 5 am got ready had a morning tea moved towards Choptha and
drive towards Monal point is possible to see monal and koklass pheasant , as three days before there was a heavy snowfall in and around Choptha and Tunganath, due to this we are not able to see the Tunganath as it was fully covered under snow
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| EARLY MORNING SUNRISE AT CHOPTHA |
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| ENROUTE TO MONAL POINT |
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| MONAL POINT |
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| ALL GEARS READY TO SHOOT |
and finally we a got a view of MONAL
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| MALE MONAL |
The Himalayan MONAL (Lophophorus impejanus), also known as the Impeyan monal and Impeyan pheasant, is a pheasant native to Himalayan forests and shrublands at elevations of 2,100–4,500 m (6,900–14,800 ft). It is part of the family Phasianidae and is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as the danphe.
The scientific name commemorates Lady Mary Impey, the wife of the British chief justice of Bengal, Sir Elijah Impey.
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| FEMALE MONAL |
and at 8 am we had a breakfast at Bhulkhan choptha Road, Aloo Paratha, Egg Omlette and Tea, afterwards we were on track to find some speices of Birds in and around Choptha
Views from Bhulkan-Choptha
After Breakfast over there we came back to room to have a bath and opp to our hotel snow view lot of Eurasian jay, and other species arrived
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| EURASIAN JAY |
In the afternoon session we visisted Duggal Shahari village get more speices of birds over there, one can see lots of birds like 8 types of tits wood peckers, laughing thrush and thrushes, Accenture, vulture, lammargier golden eagle, after launch drive to mukku farm good to see flower pecker, owlet, rose finches , redstart, mistle thrush.
and in the evening had Tea and had dinner at 8 pm and gone to bed
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL |
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Griffon Vulture
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| Wren |
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| COMMON MYNA |
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| Russet Sparrow |
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| Blue Rented RedStart |
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| Civet Cat |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL |
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| Yellow Throated Martin |
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| HIMALAYAN LANGOORS |
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| HIMALAYAN THAR |
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| SLATTY BACKED FORKTAIL |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL FEMALE |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL MALE-- CROSSING |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL |
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| HIMALAYAN MONAL |
02-12-2019- MONDAY - DAY 03
Start early hike to Tungnath temple for snow partridge on way one can see monal winter wren, Accenture, tits, warblers. Afternoon we will look for rapture and some forest birds like tit bulbuls warblers wood peckers laughing thrushes etc.
Overnight stay in Mandal.
03.12.2019-Tuesday-DAY-04 drive to rose finch point one can see scarlet finch, spot winged & pink browed rose finches, bunting, laughing thrush, warblers, niltava , shrike babbler, wren babbler, tesia after noon visit to river good for brown deeper forktail flycatchers and redstarts.
Overnight stay in Mandal
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RED VENTED BULBUL
(Pycnonotus cafer) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines |
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RED VENTED BULBUL
(Pycnonotus cafer) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines |
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White
throated fantail flycatcher
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Blue
throated barbet
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RED VENTED BULBUL
(Pycnonotus cafer) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines |
Next day morning woke up early in the morning at 4 am, left the place by 5 am towards MONDAL enroute Chopta for final glimpses of Himalayan Monal and Kocklass Pheasant, finally we had a darshan of Kocklass Pheasant, and reached MONDAL in the afteroon
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| MANDAL VILLAGE VIEW |
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| HIMALAYAN BULBULThe Himalayan bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), or white-cheeked bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family found in central Asia. |
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HIMALAYAN BULBUL
The Himalayan bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), or white-cheeked bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family found in central Asia. |
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Blue Throated Barbet
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Scarlet Finch Male
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| Scarlet Finch male and female |
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Scarlet Finch Male
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| Scarlet Finch Male |
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Crested Kingfisher
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Steppe Eagle
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| STEPP EAGLE |
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Siberian Stonechat
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Next Day early morning left MONDAL to reach Sattal - day long journey from Mondal to Sataal, enroute we had breakfast and Lunch and reached the birders Den by 7-30 pm
BIRDER DEN SATTAL
Birders Den is an eco-resort, nestled in the lap of nature close to the Naldamayanti tal. A short 10 minutes drive from Sattal, it is your perfect base for a bird watching holiday in the Western Himalayas. With sumptuous home cooked food and cozy rooms with a pretty view of the region, the Birders Den is the perfect relaxing spot for birders and also serves as a hot spot for some stunning birds of the region.Birders Den Eco Resort provides you pleasant Hospitality and friendly loving environment, It's placed in middle of forest Sattal, Nainital District and away from city noise and Highway traffic, It's gives you cozy and calm environment, It's just 18 km from Nainital City and 2 km from Sattal lake which is famous tourism destination, the resort provides to everyone homely atmosphere and also serve you Hygienic local kumauni meals, All around surrounded by Nature and verities of Birds , A good Natural environment and Birds Chirping makes you more comfortable and joyful, It's All People of Birders Den Eco Resort Who treats you like family and also makes your Experience truly exceptional.
Birders Den Eco resort have restaurant where all guest have their meals together and also share their Day to Day life experience, We serve Simple and Spice less meal which makes you healthy and fit, we have high speed internet access in reception and restaurant where from you can easily run your business through electronic gadgets.
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Grey Treepie
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Kalij Pheasant
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| Kalij Pheasant |
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| Kalij Pheasant Female |
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Oriental Turtle Dove
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| Kalij Pheasant Female |
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Red Billed Liothrix
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| Kalij Pheasant Female |
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| White Throated Laughing Thrush |
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Grey
headed Woodpecker Female
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White Throated Laughing Thrush
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White Throated Laughing Thrush
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Red Billed Liothrix
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Cinereous Tit
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| White Throated Laughing Thrush |
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Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch female
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Kalij Pheasant
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| Kalij Pheasant |
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| Kalij Pheasant |
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Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch
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| Blue Whistling Thrush |
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Green Backed Tit
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Black Lored Tit
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Black Lored Tit
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Brown Headed Woodpecker
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Blue Whistling Thrush
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White Throated Laughing Thrush
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White Throated Laughing Thrush-Swimming
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White Throated Laughing Thrush
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Grey Treepie
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Brown Headed Woodpecker
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| Grey Treepie |
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Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch Female
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Himalayan Bulbul
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Brown Headed Woodpecker Female
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Grey headed Bunting
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Red Vented Bulbul
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Scaly
Breasted Woodpecker
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| Scaly Breasted Woodpecker-Flight |
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| Scaly Breasted Woodpecker |
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| Common Babbler |
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Red vented bulbul
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| Red billed Blue Magpie |
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Greater yellow nape
woodpecker
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White Crested Laughing Thrush
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| Red billed Blue Magpie |
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| White Throated Laughing Thrush |
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Brown
headed woodpecker
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| White Throated Laughing Thrush |
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| White Throated Laughing Thrush |
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Red billed Blue Magpie
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| Red Billed Liothrix |
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| Red Billed Liothrix |
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Red Billed Liothrix
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Rufous Chinned Laughingthrush
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Rufous Bellied Nuthatch female
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| -Red Billed Liothrix |
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| Bathing --Red Billed Liothrix |
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Striated Laughing Thrush
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Striated Laughing Thrush
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Rusty Tailed Flycatcher
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Striated Laughing Thrush
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Rufous Chinned Laughing Tthrush
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Red Billed Liothrix
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Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babbler
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Blue Laughing Thrush
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Red Billed Liothrix
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Blue Winged Siva
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Rusty Cheeked Scimitar Babbler
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Himalayan Bulbul
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Blue Winged Siva
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Yellow billed Bue Magpie
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Redbilled Blue Magpie
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Rufous Sibia
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Grey headed Woodpecker Female
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Kalij Pheasant Male
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Kalij Pheasant Female
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Lesser yellow nape
woodpecker
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Brown headed woodpecker
(LT) and Lesser yellow nape WP
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| Lesser Yellow Nape Woodpecker |
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| RUSSET SPARROW |
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Lesser Yellow Nape Woodpecker
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Return
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MOBILE PICS
My Sincere thanks to one and all who made this extravaganza memories of the Bird Photography
Regards
Sateesh
9886301584
Comments from Whatsapp Social Media
1) Wonderful tour and darshan of lovely birds of Western Himalayas.Thanks so much Sateesh.The pics are awesome-- Dr.Ravidran, Prl Secy Khajane 2
2) Seems to be a very keen bird watcher, he has done fantastic job-- Kulkarni, Retd Secy KC
3) It speaks volumes of Sateesh's interest in nature and spirit of adventure. Late Narasimhaiah and Sateesh's mother have a great son who where ever they may be make this matter of pride. Savue,soft spoken and intelligent Sateesh has given us a treasure and may his skills multiply and flourish
----AV Ramamoorthy,
4)Hi Satish,--- Most wonderful pictures and a so well written travelogue. Related to it so well and with pics it was as if I was a part of your team. Envy you. Shared with my inner circle. Pl publish it, It took ever so long to publish on the blog-----Smt Umadevi, Addnl Director,Dept of Treasury
5) I visited the blog. wow...... Wonderful and very meaningful journey sir, I saw all the photos of hill stations and birds, these are still attracting me, you have captured very beautifully. Thank you very much for sharing all these with me--- Govind Raju, Acc Supd, High Court Bangalore
6) Sir very nicely written and superb photos. Really amazing and rare birds beautifully captured-- Manjula, Accounts Section, KGS
7) Really amazing photos sir thank you- Rekha Bai, Accounts Section, KGS
8) Very Good writing, i had also visited this place last year-- Premkumar, Saligrama
9) Wonderful sir-- Bharathi, Dept of Treasury
10) Super pics of birds--- Lavanya, Accounts, KGS
11) Beautiful, Wonderfull Photos-- Sadanand Pavaskar, KGS
12) Photography is amazing - Chandrashekar, RTO Officer Yeshwanthpur
13) Superrrr Sir......- Pramod, Bangalore
14) Went through your blog Satheesh. Photos are simply amazing and eye catching. You undoubtedly proved that you are a talented Photographer and that it is a gift bestowed by the almighty. - TP Narasinga Rao, Mysore
