To Fathom and soak in the Majestic Landscape of the Great Canyons of India formed by the River Chambal over Time Immemorial travel with me on a Boat and View the following posts: “Cursed yet Enchanting River”, “Great Canyons of India”, “White as Snow”, “Ghost Tree” and “Blue-Eyed Comorants”.
Tree of Poop
An Enchanting View reminds of a movie titled “The Lost World “. Watch out for Gigantic Dinosaurs.
To see some of the inhabitants of these Glorious Rocky Ravines and Cliffs, do read previous blogs titled ;“Coupled for Life”, “Salt and Pepper”,Egyptian Roost”, “On the Rocks” and “Over the Cliff”.
Spectacular Lost World
The glorious cobalt blue waters of the River Chambal provide a fabulous foreground to the mesmerizing landscape viewed from the Blue Boat.
Setting out to discover the Wonders of Nature
Relax, Soak in the Sun and Enjoy an Enchanting Ride through the spectacular Canyons of the Chambal in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Central India.
Enchanting Entanglements in a Dense Forest in the Heart Of India.
Dense Deciduous Forest
Leafless Branches and Twigs create twists and turns in this Forest in the terrain of the Cursed River Chambal.
Enchanting Entaglement
Flames of the Forest add a tinge of colour to a Brown Deciduous Forest.
Spot the Flames of the Forest
The Featured image is of the Gorgeous Flowering tree” Flame of the Forest” or Palash ( do check a previous blog by the same title to know about this lovely Flowering Tree) .
The River Chambal was cursed by a Lady Born from The Flames of A Fire ( Yagnaseni or Draupadi from the Epic Mahabharatha) . That is only one of the numerous fablesand myths that hover over the Enchanting Terrain through which the river traverses.
A sharp eye will enable you to discern THE GHOST TREE in the picture below .
Eerie Habitat
Bhutia ( Marathi), The Ghost Tree ( English),Gum Karaya, Sterculia urens ( Scientific name)is a deciduous Tree native to India.
All the leaves have been shed by The Indian Gum Tree revealing the pale White Bark which lends it the name Bhutia or GHOST TREE.
The Ghost Tree on the Rocks
This Ghostly looking tree is however extremely Useful not only to the Langurs that can be seen in the picture below, but also to Humans as they are the source of the much sought after “Gum Karaya”.
Even Ghost Trees are Home to Langurs
“Gum Karaya” is the natural alternative to Viagra and has a formidable reputation as an Aphrodisiac.
Be Enchanted and do read earlier posts titled RIVER CURSED YET ENCHANTING and OVER THE CLIFF.
The Eastern Great Egret ( English), Bagula( Hindi), Ardea alba modesta ( Scientific Name) is the Ultimate in Patience.
Am sharing pictures of this Large Gorgeous All in White Bird spotted along the Banks and Rocky Canyons of the Chambal River ( Do read previous posts titled RIVER CURSED YET ENCHANTED, OVER THE CLIFF, EGYPTIAN ROOST etc to know more about the region )
Patiently waiting amongst the Greens
The Large Egret and a bottle of beer. Do observe the Colour of the Beak is Black as opposed to Yellow in the pictures above.
Discovering a Pair of Indian Eagle Owls ( English), Ullus ( Hindi), Bubo bengalensis ( Scientific Name) in their Home in the Rocky Gorges of the Chambal River was an Enchanting Dream hard to forget.
The numerous Ledges, Caves and Clefts in the Rocky Ravines provide Enchanting and Natural Homes to a vast variety of Birds and Animals.( Do read previous posts OVER THE CLIFF, BLUE-EYED CORMORANTS and EGYPTIAN ROOSTS to know more about this gorgeous terrain in Central India)
Was mesmerized by the play of lights reflected onto the Rocky Cliffs looming over the pristine and clear water of the Chambal.
Dancing Lights of River Chambal
When low and lo behold I see two ears moving over a mass of what appeared to be White Rocks ( do read an earlier post titled WHITE AS SNOW) .
Have a look at the marvelous First Sighting.
Comfortable Perch Coated with Poop
The Ears suddenly developed two Deep Orange Eyes and a rather Cross looking Rock Eagle-Owl emerged from the White Rocky Ledge.
The Cameraman was now in the Cross-hairs of this perturbed and Cross Owl.
These Royal Owls or Ullus are unique and native to the Indian sub-continent.
Aware of Visitors
Rising slightly from THE ROYAL PERCH OF POOP , I was amazed to see this extremely Large Indian Eagle-Owl for the first time in the wild at such a close distance.
The Ears which had been spotted first are in fact characteristic “Tufts” of feathers .
While an Owl is considered a Wise Bird in most of Europe and USA, an Ullu is considered to be the equivalent of a Donkey ( Moron or Dimwitted ) in India.
Rising from the Royal Throne of Poop
The featured picture has a protective Mr Indian Eagle-Owl close at hand on the Rocky Cliffs. The posture and manner of the Owl is very similar to an Eagle, is it not?
The Regal Couple kept me under a careful watch from their respective Posts on the Rocks during the duration I was taking these Enchanting pictures.
Most Of India is Scorching with temperatures ranging well over 40 degrees Centigrade ( 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Am treating myself and all the readers to the Cool and Wonderful Splendour of the Himalayas while The Indian Sub Contintent sizzles in preparation for the arrival of The Monsoons. ( translated for the uninitiated it means Bushels of Rains or the Rainy Season)
Presenting a Bouquet of the Splendour of Sun and Shadow in the Himalalyas.
The Willows add the touch of colour
The Grassland in the foreground adds to the Beauty of the Snow Clad Mountains.
Golden Grass
Parched Indian Plains seek Dense Clouds laden with Moisture.
Clouds over the Peaks
Where else will you find such an Enchanting Bouquet of Splendour but in Ladakh,India.
Enchanted Forests 