Actually, there was thunder, lightening, sheets of rain intermixed with small stinging hail. So maybe saying it rained doesn’t quite cover it all..
We were out early for our jeep safari. Definitely a better, more comfortable and camera friendly way to view the jungle. The scenery this morning primarily featured some familiar water birds, several species of deer and that all time favorite – the male peacock in full mating plumage. In the trees, on top of small hillocks and dancing in the underbrush self accompanied by what he must think is enticing calls. Loud squawks mostly at ear splitting volumes and I certainly didn’t see any circle of ladies applauding.
No tigers, one rhino happily wallowing in the river. No sloth bears.
-
- sun coming up
-
- jungle fowl
-
- deer in the haze
-
- more of the same
-
- spotted deer
-
- moving on now…
-
- strangler fig
-
- the far river bank
-
- bird 1
-
- bird 2
-
- bird 3
-
- peacock
-
- bird 4
-
- see me?
-
- with my ears up?
-
- peacock in the tree
-
- peacock dancing but blending
-
- more of the same
-
- crocs on the river bank
-
- lazy rhino
The afternoons entertainment was an oxcart ride, delayed at first because of the thunder and lightening. About the time we decided it might be safe to go, skipping the canoes on the river it started to get cloudy again. After jouncing my back on the stupid elephant yesterday and the jeep this morning, I decided to walk. Only 15 minutes to the nearest village, the road was gravel and frankly, oxen aren’t particularly known for their speed. Since I took photos of just about everyone, my opting out didn’t seem to annoy
loading up
Just about the time we pulled into the village next to the canoe landing place, the skies opened up.
Photographing lightening is hard – and I just didn’t manage it. But the rain, hail and darken skies? Oh yah. at the end of all of this the air was the cleanest we had seen in days with foot hills visible backed by distant snow covered peaks.
And me without my telephoto lens. I had to settle for sunsets and the weird color of the sky.
-
- village street
-
- the dugout canoe we didn’t take
-
- river one
In the morning the plan (for those who are insane) is to accomplish that canoe ride, breakfast, airport and fly back to Kathmandu -all before 1100 in the morning. I am contemplating staying clean and packing this evening.
Or reading a book. Always a terrific option
