How to score big on the dry jungle photography challenge

Published on by 100cobbledroads

Photo blog of Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu…

Wildlife adventure on our mind. Destination: Masinagudi. One of the five forest reserves of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, 250 kilometres from Bangalore, Karnataka. Nestled between the three states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Enveloped by the lush Nilgiri forests. A resort buried in the deep of the jungle, with patchy mobile connectivity. The promise of exciting jeep safaris and treks. The prospect of encountering dangerous, wild animals and exotic birds. Just one downside…the weather.

Last lap of February…still a few months before rains completely transform the landscape. Fantasy: blooming foliage and deep green. Reality: spindly tree branches and brown grass. Not the best time of the year to experience the full glory of the jungle. But we’re here, now. Plan B. Love it like it is. See it for what it is. Raw. Rough. Unpainted. Unadorned. Dry. Earthy. Natural. And no less magical.

The many moods of Masinagudi…captured on our camera. Lazy swaying palms lining the highway, reminiscent of coastal tranquility, hammocks and backwaters. An unending scatter of creepy, crooked, leafless trees along the road leading into the forest reserve. Bald patches where forest fires left their unsightly marks behind. A stubbornly snaking path that refuses to straighten out.

Cheeky birds that jump onto branches and peck around for feed. Sometimes blending into the background and sometimes standing out with bright beaks and feathers. A neglected lamp dangling from a thatched roof. Something mysterious about its dust- lathered glass case. A solitary tree-house clinging to the unfailing support of its host tree. With nothing but the wind for company. Mud huts of the resort glowing in the soft warmth of the setting sun, like a painting that you want to reach out and touch.

Animals at home in their natural surroundings. Graceful deer and peacock sharing the same grass. A herd of wild boar stopping to stare at unfamiliar intruders. A bed of crunchy, crisp fallen leaves that make you rethink the phrase ‘dull brown’. Huddle of trees fighting for space among a silence so profound you can hear your own breathing. The stark contrast between the hustle of urban life and the stillness of nature. Life unconstrained. Pure. Free. As it was meant to be. 

And the most spectacular forest sunset that washes the endless canvas of the skies with a million shades. Gold, pink, amber and flame. An artwork that unfolds, live before your eyes. A hypnotic red ball of fire that gets darker and bolder with every second, holding you captive as it dips downwards, and finally gets swallowed into the darkness completely.

So are you still timing your stint at forest photography for ‘perfect’ conditions?

Masinagudi 32

Masinagudi 30

Masinagudi 29

Masinagudi 2

Masinagudi 16

Masinagudi 33

Masinagudi 28

Masinagudi 23

Masinagudi 5

Masinagudi 21

Masinagudi 19

Masinagudi 27

Masinagudi 15

Masinagudi 8

Masinagudi 24

Masinagudi 20

Masinagudi 1

Masinagudi 14

Masinagudi 22

Masinagudi 13

Masinagudi 7

Masinagudi 12

Masinagudi 18

 

Pin this post for later!!

Dry jungle photography at Masinagudi

 

30 thoughts on “How to score big on the dry jungle photography challenge”

  3. I totally agree that when it comes to visiting wildlife reserves and parks, that there is appeal at different times of year. What you lose on one hand (lush greenery and chicks / babies) you gain on the other (the rich earthy tones of dry season, and better visibility through the dry undergrowth).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones you think are not the best! I loved all the pictures you have on here and it looks like a beautiful place especially at sunset. As I was reading my daughter caught a glimpse of the tree house and now I think she is planning a trip to see it for herself! It would be an awesome place to stay and relax watching all of the beautiful animals and birds around you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. The pictures are really beautiful and everything looks so rustic. More than that I loved how you described the place with your thoughts. Sometimes, being in such a silence can trigger the best way of expressing the things.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I love the sunset captures, they’re amazing! I have never heard of this place and it seems like a picture-perfect one for getting wildlife and jungle scenes. Great work!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. It looks scary when the trees are bare and the earth scorched. But as I learned traveling through Africa: Dry season is actually the best time to see wildlife because there is less foliage to hide in and the number of drinking spots is limited so you’re more like to bump into them. So well done you 🙂

    Happy continued travels!
    C

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Pictures do speak a thousand words. Great compositions I must say! Although I love clicking wildlife pictures just after the monsoons (personal choice). The sunset cover pic does look like a ball of fire. Way to go!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Terrific photos, but what really stands out is your beautiful, poetic writing style. I could imagine what the forest would look like (and sound like) even before I scrolled down to check out the pics.

    Jane M

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Stunning photographs! I’m also someone who always clicks pictures of dry trees, so much that my roomie once told me to show pics skipping the autumn trees! Lolz… There’s something so picturesque about them.
    That said, your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment