One of the best highlights of my visit to Chennai, India this month is the 4-day trip to Wayanad with my sister. Wayanad, located in the neighboring state of Kerala is a lush mountainous and fertile region that receives nearly 3000 mm of rains annually. Cash crops such as coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and cloves are grown as much in the backyards of individual homes as in big plantations. The landscape is quite unspoiled even though Wayanad aspires to be a tourist destination. From the mountains to the lakes to free roaming fauna, there is a lot to delight the senses and lift the spirits.
The sketch above was inspired by the kingfisher I spotted from the balcony of my room at the resort. It stationed itself on the wood stump by the lake for more than an hour trying to catch a fish, alas without luck. So, I took the artistic liberty of giving it the catch.
Below are some of the photos of the fauna that I took. Enjoy.
This female elephant was placidly grazing by the roadside when it got spooked by the sound of her jeep. She lumbered off to join the calf behind the bush.
Male elephant.
Elephant herd from a distance.
Male and female Indian spotted deer.
Egrets, storks and herons by the mucky lotus pond.
I was very circumspect when I took these pictures of the monkeys at the park. These monkeys hang around humans and know their ways. I was worried that the monkey would get upset at my taking its picture and snatch my camera!
Finally, a few snapshots of the kingfisher that inspired the sketch above.
