Birding at Bondla and Temple music

We left with Vijay at 5:30 for a 1.5 hour drive up to Bondla wildlife reserve and zoo. Thursday is a quiet day up in those hilly roads because the Zoo is closed therefore no coaches and cars.

It's quite chilly in the early morning but as the sun rises quickly we soon lose our goose pimples!

Approx 40 species were seen : Indian grey hornbill, scaly breasted Munia, Indian golden oriole, crested hawk eagle, brown shrike, bay backed shrike are just a few.

Here's a wild flower to brighten up your day.

As the day warms up the birds go quiet so in this climate you really must be out in the field early. By 11am there wasn't too much about.

Magpie Robin.

In the evening we heard classical music being broadcast rather loudly from the local small temple. After dinner at Nick's Place we headed off to find out more.

Outside the temple we left our shoes on the steps and were invited in to sit on central mat with the musicians. Harmonium, tabla, bells and 5 voices were working through a Raga. Each piece can last about 30 minutes. The tabla player must find it very tiring as he put in a lot of effort rhythmically playing the drums. We were fascinated and the music was good. Incense was being burned.

When we uncrumpled ourselves from trying to sit cross legged we slipped outside and the tabla player came out to talk to us whilst others were still playing and singing.  He is Ravi...also a masseur and he used to work for a grand luxury hotel down the road. 

The musicians play in two temples in the village, every Tuesday and Thursday. 

The back of an Indian lorry.