We are Open!

For the three and half months that the National Parks are closed here,the wait always seems excruciatingly long for them to open especially when one is on the edge of it setting up our lodge.But the frustration quickly dissipates into joyous excitement just a few minutes in the park.The monsoon transforms the scene completely.Now the grass is green,abundant and 5 feet high.The water-holes that were parched dry are again full with water.The river here that had dwindled to small pools is running deep.Crested serpent Eagles are back to their favourite perches near water-holes looking out for frogs and skinks.A Ruddy Mongoose looks up from his search for food and not amused disappears in the dew laden grass.The herbivores seem to have gorged on the fresh grass and put on a few kilos.The Big-Cats not as forthcoming have left droppings and trackmarks alearting us that they are still around.Alarms calls of spotted deer has everyone tense for a while but nothing comes out and things relax.So we look forward to this season where three sets of tiger cubs will take next steps in mastering their hunting techniquesand ultimately separate from their kin.So their mothers have their tasks cut out.But for now the sprawling death-traps for butterflies of the Giant Wood Spiders which have managed to enmesh their catch in every nook and corner and the winter morning sun filtering through the green landscape is what will have us waking up and Delighting Guests.

Posted: Baghvan by Vrushal Pendharkar, Date: 16 October 2009

 
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