Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Karnala Bird Sanctuary

How to Reach: Pune to JNPT Exit via Express way then take the High way to Goa. The sanctuary lies on left hand side about 5 KMs on Goa Highway. 

After reaching Karnala and seeing the entry of the sanctuary the first thing that I felt was that this trip is going to be a waste of time as the sanctuary lies so near to a  busy National highway that its impossible to think of a healthy avian population near. 

We decided to follow the " Hariyal Trail" and eventually the very first steps in the sanctuary made me realize that looks could be deceptive. As soon as we entered under the green canopy of high trees we observd a colony of Black Drongos. 

Drongos were every where with a few surprise sightings of Rufus Woodpecker. 

A Young Black Drongo

A Bronze Drongo

The common red vented Bulbul was a common sight but there were young ones as well with constant chirping in front of their mother for food. 

A Young Bulbul Chic with Mother

It was extremely humid under the trees but the sightings of the birds were creating one mirage after other and making us go from one tree to another, from one place to other. This male Asian Koel was a not vary of our camera and gave us a few shots before leaving for higher canopies. 

Asian Male Koel

There was an entire colony of Sunbirds and by the time we reached there they were active n all the senses and made us adjust our shutter speeds to the maximum. 

A Female Sunbird 

A Male Sunbird (ready for mating)

A Male Purple Sun Bird (Not ready for mating)

For those avian lovers who do not know the difference between a Male sun bird who is ready for mating and the one who is not ready for mating is the black strip on the throat. The ones with these strips are not yet ready for mating.

The Eurasian Golden Oriole is one of the easiest birds to spot in the jungle. The bright yellow body clearly emerges out in the Green Golden Foliage.

 A Eurasian Golden Oriole

Karnala is not all about keeping your necks towards skies, it also has a colorful and vibrant territorial life as well. there are crabs, Lizards, Chameleons and my favorite dragon flies. 

A Signature Spider

A Dragon Fly basking in Sun

One of my cherished moments in photography is going to be the snaps of this Skink Lizard coming our of wet bushes to take a Sun bath. this Skink lizard was full of so many colors and patterns, all this was making her a promising proposition for taking an ultra close up. I also feel that this Lizard was carrying eggs as it is seldom to see such a huge bulge on the belly and such a slow moving Skink Lizard. 

The Skink lizards  are one of the most diverse species of lizards found in different colors and variations. 

In my view Karnala is a must  visit place for every nature lover, and I have promised this place that I will keep on visiting this place as often as possible...